Well, this journey toward Marriage all began on Thursday 12/20/2007. We were going to spend the Christmas holiday with Kristina’s parents, so I told her that I would like to have a nice surprise date night with her before we left. She was very excited since she is quite the fan of surprises, but little did she know that the surprise was much bigger than she expected.

I picked her up from work and we drove out to Avila Beach to have dinner at the Custom House. This was the restaurant we ate at on our first date and I felt it only fitting that it also be a part of the beginning of our marriage (I had hoped, hehe).

I had planned on proposing to her during the walk along the beach on the way back to the car. However, as we finished dinner my nerves began to take over and I asked Kristina if she would like to watch a little of the Steeler game and grab a beer before heading home. We went next door to Mr. Ricks to have a beer/calm my nerves :). After sipping my beer for as long as possible, I could stall no longer. It was time to head “home”.

We began walking back to the car and every single time I wanted to stop to propose I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Next thing I knew, we were back at the car and I was out of time. I gave her a big hug (to hopefully calm my nerves), but my physical condition was starting to give me away. During our “nice hug” Kristina says “Your heart is beating really fast”. I was busted, so it was now or never. I dropped to one knee and went for it.

The look on her face was priceless as she instantly realized what was happening. I forgot everything I wanted to say and all I could get out was the standard, lame “Will you marry me?”. She quickly said yes and despite constantly reminding myself not to screw up, I put the ring on her wrong hand. I quickly realized my mistake and fixed it.

After things calmed down we got into the car and headed to Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs where I had reserved a room (just in case she said yes). We had a great night relaxing in the hot tub and realizing our future.

It was that night that Kristina made me the luckiest man in the world. Thank you for Loving me Kristina. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you make me.

-Love Chad