Starting over is never easy, specially with your own children in the mix. We met over one of the most unlikely to succeed places (a dating website), just when we were both ready to throw in the towel. Right when I was getting ready to delete everything, I saw I had a message from a man, with a picture of himself and two precious children. If anyone knows anything about dating sites, you know it takes a true man to express on there that his family is his life.

After several months of dating, and long conversations we realized we shared a great deal in common. We both moved from Florida, not a lot of friends locally, our love for video games, our family values... the good bad and ugly, we have both been in very similar situations.

We eventually decided to move in together. Merging two households takes a GREAT deal of work! But just when things seem to be going smoothly we had a surprise little one in the mix. Which we would not change at all!

Neither Rob or I really felt the rush to tie the knot. We had both been down the married road before. 5 years and 8 months later was when the most epic proposal occurred. And of course I said “I do!”

Just an average day at work, and Joseph’s 4th birthday. I had went outside for break, shortly after Crystal informed me that Rob was in my office. Unsure why he would even be at my work, I rush to my office to see what was going on. When I pulled open the door, little did I know that I would be walking into three back packs on my desk.

“You need to log out and get your things together so we can leave.” Ummm... I became worried because my boss, Stacy, was on vacation and I had no way of telling her that I just needed to “leave” unexpectedly. Rob started explaining that he made Stacy aware of everything, and not to be worried. My good friend and coworker Kacie, reassured me that she knew Stacy was aware.

After some back and forth discussion on who was watching the children, I finally grabbed my purse and left. Unsure where he was taking me, the wheels kept turning. All I knew was Joseph was coming with us. I watched what roads we were taking, what highway we got onto, what exit we took until I realized “we are going to the airport”. But where on earth would we be flying to? Is this some big surprise birthday for Joey?

We park the car, get the tickets, go through TSA, and once we finally make it to our gate I get my first clue... we were flying to “Lagaurda, New Jersey”. Now I knew Rob had close family in New Jersey. So I figured we must have been going to visit with them.

Once we landed, I finally got the pleasure to meet Uncle John. He picked Rob, Joseph and myself up from the airport and drove us back to his home.

Knowing that it was Joseph’s 4th birthday, when we arrived to their home Uncle John and his husband Rob surprised Joey with a birthday cake and balloons. He was definitely tickled.

I find out that we are staying the night. I knew we would be going somewhere the following day. I would have to say I had little, to no sleep because of how badly I wanted to solve this riddle.

In the morning I wake up. Uncles John and Rob introduce me to pork roll (which was a-mazing). Rob then tells me I need to quickly get ready. After rushing to put myself together, I was ready for whatever our adventure might have in store for us! Little did I know when I walked out the door I would see my older sister Robin, Brother-in-law Tim, my nephew Timmy, and my mother. After giving them all a hug, I turn around to look at Rob and there is definitely a frog in his throat.

Rob takes my hands, shaking. Emotional he begins to tell me “You always told me that you wanted to make sure that I was serious on wanting to spend my life with you. I have brought you to my Grandfathers home were some of my happiest memories were made and I wanted to make one more.” He got down on one knee and opened a box with a ring inside. “Will you marry me?” If anyone knows me I had to be difficult, so I acted to think for a moment. But then assured him YES!

The ring was gorgeous. Fully designed by Rob. He took bits of information, and pictures I had been sending to my sister Sarah over the year. It was a 3k pear shaped, salt and pepper diamond with smaller additional white diamonds on the band.

But just when I thought the excitement was over, I had no idea he had more in plan!