The proposal was the easy part. The hard part was trying to hide the ring for almost 6 weeks before, but I wont get ahead of my self.

When it came to a ring, Rachael had searched for a while trying to find something she liked. I had no problem with her looking, because as far as I was concerned, it was important to me to make sure she had one she would love. It all started with a random text message while at work. It simply read "I love this". Below the text was a picture of a round cut diamond ring surrounded by smaller stones on a simple band. I smiled understanding what the topic of conversation would be once we got home and had some time to ourselves that night.

When that time came, Rachael had found a few rings she liked. I just let her keep looking and taking interest in what it was she wanted. This went on for a few weeks, and while her mind didn't change too much, it became a much more simple ring that she wanted - a solitaire round cut stone with a simple silver or platinum band.

We looked around for a few months as we passed by stores. The rings were pretty but she did not fall in love with any of them. Then one day she was looking at a few websites and found a bridal set. I can remember her talking about how pretty this one particular set was and I could tell that was the one she fell in love with.

I was able to buy the ring and shipped fast. Almost too fast. I was expecting the ring to be at the house when I got home one night, but it was still in transit. I raced home after work to try and beat the delivery guy. I got home and still no ring. I was dreading the thought of the delivery guy showing up while we were eating dinner, and the million questions that would follow. Rachael went to take a shower and as she she did there was a knock at the door. The girls were playing in their room and the only soul who would be able to give away that there was someone at the door was Redd, our Great Dane-Boxer mix. I shot him a look and he just sat there and stared at me as if to say, "perhaps this is not a good time to bark."

I opened the door and signed for the package as fast as I could and ran to the garage. I heard the water cut off as I passed the bedroom. Rachael was done with her shower! Quickly I stuffed the package up on to a shelf behind a stock of paper towels. It stayed there for a few days until I was able to sneak it to my car after Rachael had left for work.

I had the ring and I had already asked her parents for permission. I now just needed the "right moment" to pop the question. I had thought over a few places, but Rachael had some stipulations. It couldn't be at a crowded venue such as a restaurant or sporting event because she hates being the center of attention. Thanksgiving rolled around and the place presented itself. I was going to ask her under the big tree at Vatruvian Park when it was covered with Christmas lights.

For the next few weeks I played a cat and mouse game with the ring - putting it in places she wouldn't look. I even stashed it in a couple places I knew she had searched for clues after she had done so. At one point it stayed stashed away safe in a coat pocket of a jacket I wore to work every day for 2 weeks. Rachael had no clue I had a ring already and at times even let me know she didn't think I had gotten one yet. I would just reply with statements like "Maybe I have. Maybe I have not." Sometimes she would ask me what it looked like. I would describe random kitchen appliances or tell her I had no clue. This drove her nuts and gave me a chance to have a little fun.

I woke up on December 23, 2017 with the realization that this would be the day. We got up, got dressed, and I tucked the ring in its box into the inner pocket of my coat. We had plans to meet up with her family for lunch and my family for dinner. Everything was going as planned until it came time for dinner. It was like the world and time slowed down. I had planned to be done with dinner around 6 or 7 pm, but that is when it got started.

We had dinner, and when all was said and done, it was 9:30pm. We got into the car and Rachael suggested that we go see the lights the next night. I told her that we had to go tonight even if it was for 10 minutes. She said okay and looked back at Audrey who was starting to get a little cranky from being up all day.

We got to Vatruvian Park and instantly Audrey perked up and started to get excited. The trees were covered from top to bottom in lights of every color you can think of. There were over 300 trees. When we started out on our walk around the park, Audrey decided she HAD to have her picture taken with the trees, all 300 of them. When I tried to hurry her along she made it very clear that she was not going anywhere until she had her picture taken next to the trees she wanted to stop at. With that cute little smile, (and Rachael laughing at Audrey bossing me around), it was hard to say no. So I didn't.

After many pictures and close encounters with the lights, we found ourselves in front of the big Pecan tree covered with lights. We walked underneath the tree and it covered us like an umbrella. As we stood there, I explained to Rachael why it was important that we where there - A year before I had stood under this same tree with my girls running around and enjoying themselves. With no one to share that moment with, right there under that tree, I asked God to send me someone special or no one at all. Shortly after that, Rachael and I met.

It had been a year with her spent getting to know each other and our girls. A year falling in love. It was everything I had ever wanted in a relationship. With that being said, I got down on one knee and asked her to make me the happiest man on earth and marry me. She said yes and I slipped the ring on to her finger.

And now we are here......

Photos