I went and spoke to my parents and Diane’s parents and received blessings (and a few shocked faces) from both families. Planning on how/where came from many suggestions, but mostly my closest friend, Kevin Roll and his wife, Debbie who led the assault on what would become a nervous 7 weeks.

On June 1^st,2002, my 35^th birthday, Diane and I awoke, and I nervously faced the rest of the day. Oddly, Diane’s first words out of her mouth were “honey, let’s get married today” and I suspected she knew of my plans. She did not fortunately however, and took great wonder in how nervous I became as our dinner time approached. I changed my shirt several times and considered changing my entire outfit on several occasions. Diane thought I was nuts. She found out I was crazy when we actually made our reservation time for the first time in 4 years of dating. It was important to be there on time because I had arranged for our parents, family, and close friends to be in the restaurant with us. (Everyone… thank-you. You made the day wonderful). Diane continued to keep the pressure on me by trying to suggest we eat at the bar where everyone would soon be arriving. Finally, we made it to a booth I had reserved for us overlooking a pond outside. We also had a group of about 6 girls from a bridal shower in the table next to us. Talk about pressure, I was sweating bullets. Where was Chris ? Was everyone there yet ? Had the cake arrived ? 4 more girls join the table next to us. Just great!! I knew I should have worn something more comfortable. What time is it ? Did I tell everyone the right time and place ? Where the hell is Chris ?

Finally, Chris arrives with the cake ( Diane believes the cake is a surprise birthday cake for me, but it actually is an engagement cake ). Chris put the cake on the table and I reach for the ring. Diane doesn’t understand what is going on. She thought they brought out the wrong cake to our table. I think she can’t read, so I slip around the table and get on one knee and show her the ring. Pandemonium! Tears! Laughs! The Red‘s have won the pennant! More tears as Diane’s mom and our guest come around the corner. Yeah !! We had a great time the rest of the evening in the pub, drinking Dom and dining on cake. Lots more to come !!!!!!