Aileen and Shawn

Posted Monday, August 18, 2008 12:01 PM

How We Met

We met in February 2005. He was my cousin's coworker. Our first date was April 15, 2005. Since then, we’ve dated and basically spent every waking hour together. We even adopted our puppy, Chance, together. (I was able to bring the dog lover out of him!) My parents live in Texas and weren't coming to visit until Thanksgiving. Chance and I knew a proposal was in the works sooner or later, so we predicted he’d pop the question when my parents were in town. But we guessed wrong and my fiance-to-be just couldn't wait!

Our First Home

We decided to take advantage of the decline in the housing market and purchased a new home together. Unbeknownst to me, he had gotten the keys to our new house before I even knew they were ready. That same day he invited his family over to discuss how he wanted to pop the big question and make sure I didn't answer with a no. So his sister and two female cousins decided to help him out. They planned to place tea light candles, rose petals, and roses everywhere; print and frame pictures that were taken throughout our relationship; make an Italian dinner; and provide champagne and strawberries.
The Proposal
To make sure I didn’t have a clue, he was connected to my hip all day long. We were slowly packing all our stuff. I never knew he had spoken to my parents and brother to get their blessing the week before. Nor did I know that his sister and cousins stopped by to pick up my memory card from my camera to print out the pics. His entire family and mine knew exactly what was going on behind the scenes of us packing. No wonder no one volunteered to help us!

Fast-forward to 8 p.m. -- we took many trips to the house dropping off small boxes and any items that could fit in his parents' minivan. (We weren't planning to move big furniture items until the following week with the help of family and friends.) All of a sudden, he wanted to go to Mickey D's and pick up dinner. I was sooo exhausted from packing and was just glad I didn't have to cook! So we jumped in the car, and he started acting weird. He told me a made-up story of why his sister and cousins kept calling. His parents called on the way asking him things I couldn’t hear.

Next thing you know we passed Mickey D's. I let him know, as he was the one driving. Then he said, "Oh it's okay...let’s just go to the house." And now I started to wonder. We got to the house and walked to the front porch that was completely dark. No lights were on. He unlocked the front door, picked me up in his arms, and told me to open the door. Mind you, he's over six feet tall, so as he carried me I was eye-level to the peephole. I could see that there was something brightly lit inside, so I opened the door and saw a landing strip of tea light candles and rose petals down the hallway. He put me down and I started to tear up. There was a rose at about every other three feet or so. At each one he knelt, picked it up, and began a long, loving speech. Every time he knelt to pick up a rose, I cried even more. (I'm such a sap! I've always been a hopeless romantic!)

Once we turned the corner, we were so amazed of what those sneaky proposal planners did! He gave them all the credit for setting everything up, and I’m forever grateful for their help in making the special night one of the most memorable ever! The reason why the gals and his parents were calling on our way there? To make sure we were on our way once their romantic setup (aka top-secret mission) was accomplished. They wanted to make sure the house didn't go up in flames due to all the lit candles. I will remember this moment forever...our first dinner together in our new home!