I need to start this story by emphasizing that I had NO idea this was going to happen. I am always running around busy, and Demetrius had been saying for weeks that she wanted us to have some time together for just us. When a weekend came up that we both had nothing planned (or so I thought), she made me promise to save the entire weekend for her. One of our promised events was dinner at a restaurant.

We got dressed up and drove to the restaurant. When we entered, the waitress sat us down at a table for two. Demetrius looked confused and I asked her what was wrong. She let me know that the restaurant made a mistake and there was supposed to be a floral arrangement on the table. She went up to the hostess' desk and came back with a different waiter. The waiter said "sorry, we sat you at the wrong table" which made sense to me because of the floral arrangement comment. Next thing I know, I'm being led into a party room with some of my linesisters and other friends. I was stunned. Demetrius told me it was a celebration party for my recent grant submission. I thought this was a little over the top, but Demetrius spoils me so it did not seem suspicious.

After dinner, Demetrius asked me if I wanted to say a few  words and when I declined, she offered to speak for me. This speech went from thank you to all who came, to a declaration of her love for me (still not suspicious to me because she always says things like this to me ... yes I know how blessed I am!). I didn't realize what was happening until she stated that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me, and turned to reach into a bag, pulling out a ring box. At this point, I burst into tears and the rest of the evening is a blur. I know, however, that I did manage to say yes through my blubbering.

I was able to get her back though when I surprised her with an engagement ring of her own for her birthday (see the picture above!) She was in complete shock when I presented this additional birthday gift before we went out to dinner. I believe the picture says it all!

First off, I'd like to say: never go to a restaurant with a bestie and tell her you've been thinking about marriage; if there are jewelry stores around, you'll end up in them and leave with a ring! (..and Renee, I can never thank you enough for that life changing dinner)

I had the ring months before I proposed. It seemed like every weekend was action packed, so I was finally able to set up a surprise dinner for one weekend in August. I wanted a small intimate dinner party with Nancy's closest friends. I grabbed  the help of her line sister, Tasha, to help me with the guests for Nancy.  I couldn't risk any of her line sisters telling Nancy my proposal intentions, so I told Tasha I needed help planning a party for Nancy as a kickoff to celebrate her last year before being Dr. Chiles.  I told everyone I invited this lame excuse, surely stuttering through half of the lies..lol. (Sorry again,  everyone! I eventually broke down and told Tasha after she saw through my lies lol)

When the day finally hit, I was an excited and nervous ball of emotions. After my final practice of my speech in the basement, we headed out on a stormy night to the restaurant. Tasha and Renee kept me up to date as guests arrived to this surprise party for "Nancy's last PhD year".  All the guests were there when we got there.  However, I thought we started off on the wrong foot when they seated us at a 2-person table vs. the party room in the back with our guests.  Somehow, I thought of a quick solution and Nancy was so surprised when they finally led us back to a small room with all of her closest friends!  I told her it was a surprise dinner to celebrate her last year of school.  I remember her saying to me 5 minutes in, "wow, you'll never be able to top this surprise!" I thought to myself, "oh you just wait to see what I have in store later baby!"  :-)