She said YES!!!

So tonight I proposed to the love of my life! My best friend Suzanne and I decided to date a few months back and tonight she agreed to be my wife. This is truly one of the happiest moments of my life! We are getting married on September 26, 2008 in the Salt Lake Temple!

Here's how it went down:

We went ring shopping last week and I asked if she would let me design a ring for her based on what I know she likes. She agreed so I quickly went to work with the jeweler and designed a ring to surprise my sweetheart. I made sure to tell Suzanne it would take a few weeks before the ring was done. What she didn't know is that the jeweler offered to set her diamond in a loaner band so that I could propose right away.

So knowing we had a full weekend I knew Thursday needed to be the night if it was going to happen this week. On Tuesday I asked if we could just go spend a fun night together Thursday night...real casual! She agreed. On Wednesday I emailed her sister for her Dad's phone number so I could talk to him before proposing. I knew I couldn't email her sister before this time because they tell each other EVERYTHING and I did not want it to leak. All day Thursday I call her dad....nothing...no answer. I just hope for the best and decide to move forward with my plans.

The original plan was to ride the ski lift at Sundance since the weather has been so beautiful and take a walk up at the top, propose and then come back down and have dinner at the restaurant at Sundance. Well...things didn't quite work the way I had planned. The ring was supposed to be ready by 4:30. It wasn't ready until almost 5. I was supposed to pick Suz up at 5 from work...I didn't get there until 5:20. By this time I knew the plan to ride the ski lift was out the window since they close it down at 6:00. So I pick her up and I'm trying to replan in my head without looking anxious or nervous. Just as soon as we pull out the parking lot of her work, my phone rings...and yup...you guessed it...it was her dad.

I did the only thing I could do at that point. I answered the phone and asked him to wait just a second. I pulled over, hopped out of the car, shut the door and talked with him while Suzanne sat in the car puzzled and wondering what was happening. He gave me his blessing and just asked that I make sure we find a pastor that will include the word obey in the wedding vows. I assured him I would and got in the car only to be peppered with questions by Suzanne. I just smiled and told her that someday she would find out. She assumed it was about the ring and let it go!

We drove up into Aspen Grove and took a little walk down into the aspen trees. It was absolutely beautiful up there! We found a private little clearing that was breathtaking and we just sat and talked.

I had my backpack with me so she knew I had planned something. I told her that I decided to make her some of her favorite things. You see Suzanne has always had a love affair with my cooking even when she wasn't in love with me. Her all time favorite thing that I make is Lion House Rolls. She LOVES them and has even been known to beg. So the first thing I pull out is the pan of rolls. She, of course is ecstatic.

Suzanne is also well known for her sweet tooth and addiction to chocolate. So next I pulled out a chocolate truffle berry pizza! I've made this before as well and knew she liked it! So then we just chatted for a while and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.

When we came to a lull in the conversation I gasped, "OH...there is one more present for you" and hurriedly began searching through the backpack. I searched and I searched and as I did I got down on one knee, pulled out the white box, told all the reasons I could think of as to why I loved her and then asked her to marry me. She immediately got choked up and was completely surprised and to my great relief said , "YES". We talked a little while longer in the grove, the whole time she was staring at her diamond and gasping "Oh my gosh" over and over.

We ended the evening with dinner at the Foundry Grill at Sundance. It was a perfect evening. I can't believe we're getting married. Its something you wait for so long and then when it happens you can't hardly believe it! I love you Suzanne!