Tim and I share a mutual friend, Sara. She grew up with Tim in his home town of Olean. Their mothers were each others bridesmaids. Sara and Tim were roommates when we met. I worked with Sara at Buffalo Trail Elementary.

For weeks, she had been telling both of us that we should meet. Neither of us obliged until the Smithsonian Teacher's Night.

Prior to going out, Sara and I stopped by her place. She really wanted me to meet Tim. I didn't find out until later that Tim had been sick with the flu during the week.

Sara gave me the tour of her place, which ended with Tim. She very conveniently had to leave, forcing Tim and I to get to know each other.

We must have liked each other because the following Saturday we went on our first date and have been together ever since.

I knew this was coming. I hate surprises. I was involved in almost every step of the ring process. He proposed to me on Friday, November 11. That Thursday, Tim strongly suggested that I did not go to Happy Hour. I jokingly asked if he were going to propose. Tim simply smiled. I knew it would be happening Friday.

I didn't know it would be happening as soon I returned home. I took my time to clean up my car. I did not know that Tim had been waiting for my arrival and once he had seen me pull in, that he had grabbed our cat Reggie and got on one knee.

I opened the door, carrying several very full work bags, to see Tim down on one knee holding the ring and Reggie. Our other cat Rigby was creeping behind him. Tim popped the question and of course I said yes.