While Erik and I had discussed marriage and we were on the same page knowing we would get married, the timeline was up in the air. It was the week before Christmas, and Erik had said some strange comments that sort of peaked my curiosity. Now, I know that I can be annoying, ask a lot of questions that break Erik and ruin surprises. I did ask a lot of questions, but refused to let it ruin anything.

Leading up to the proposal I had mentioned to Erik that my brother- in-law had asked my dad for permission to marry my sister and had kept it a secret from the rest of the family. Since 2023 was the medical year of Laura, I was having a procedure the Friday before Christmas. That was the only time that Erik had a chance to ask my Dad, in the waiting room at 7 o'clock in the morning. My dad, wouldnt be the man I know and love if he didnt cry while agreeing to having another son-in- law.

Saturday December 23rd, the Steelers were playing that afternoon and we were going to my parents house for pizza, cookies and beer. Erik said he would be over by 2p to pick me up to head to my parents. He also knew that I would probably have my coat on and ready to run out the door. He needed a plan to keep me in one place long enough to ask an important question. If you weren't aware, I am not a super, sappy person. Erik wanted to make sure however he proposed, didn't have a gag reflex response from me.

He had been saying, he was going to bring over a few ornaments to hang on the tree since he was not putting up a tree at his apartment. He walked in with a Disney bag in hand, and my first question was did you get me Disney Tickets for Christmas? No, it was the ornament I had help/forced him to purchase back in April, when we went on vacation with the Mastics. Erik asked if we could make a memory for the year and hang the ornament on the tree together. Once I found the right branch and the ornament was on the tree, I turned around to see Erik get down on one knee. He asked me to make more memories together for the rest of our lives. Before he could even pull out the ring I was already saying yes!