Karen & Jeff in Philadelphia, PA

When Karen Pinkos went to St. Lucia with her boyfriend of two years, Jeff McLane, in the middle of February, the last thing she expected was to get engaged. A Valentine's Day proposal is not Jeff's style, she explains. THE BRIDE Karen Pinkos, 33, pharmacist THE GROOM Jeff McLane, 31, sports writer THE DATE October 11 Sure enough, February 14 came and went. The next day, Jeff proposed...they take a hike. Karen was hesitant (1,500 feet in hot, humid weather!), but she agreed. Sweaty and tired, they reached the top of the peak. But there was more to the journey: Jeff pulled a ring out of his pocket and asked Karen to marry him. It was definitely more our style, Karen says.