How It Happened

Originally posted on Facebook 2/15/09


Thanks to everyone for the kind words, Saturday Feb 14th was a crazy day, one that we will never forget.

Here's how it happened...

For the past couple months I have tried to perfect the "surprise" that would make this moment unforgettable.

I consulted with a couple people at work about how to get it exactly right, and I had to play dumb during conversations with Pam about engagement rings. After getting her ring size from her best friend, which I am told was "too easy," I picked out the ring and ordered it.

So here was the plan.

Pam would think we would not be together on Valentine's Day. She thought I would be in Atlanta and she would be all alone. I told her that I was going over to Rick's house with some people from work and we were going out on the lake, where there would be no phone service. But I would call her around noon when we'd be back at his house.

I also told her that my Valentine's gift would be delivered to her house on Saturday between 11:30am and noon. She assumed I set something up with a florist to have flowers delivered to her house and was making sure she'd be home when they arrived.

Saturday morning I woke up and went to the airport. I got on the plane and started the journey to her house.

I got off the plane and my mom was there to pick me up from the airport. (No, she had no idea either, only a select few people knew this was going to happen)

I had my mom drop me off around the corner, since Pam can see anyone who drives into her parking lot I had to come in a back way.

So I walk down the path to Pam's front door.

I put my bags off to the side, pulled the ring from my pocket, got down on one knee and knocked on the door.

After what felt like an hour, the door opened... Before she can even say anything I ask "Pam, will you marry me?"

She stood there, stunned, trying to figure out what in the world was going on. Trying to comprehend that not only was I at her door when I was supposed to be in Atlanta, but I had this shiny ring for her.

At this point I'm shaking, combo of nerves and it was cold outside.

She said something to the affect of, "can you say that again?" And then she said "come inside" and as I am getting up I hear "yes, yes, of course."

I take the ring from the box and go to put it on her hand, but Pam takes the ring from me and proceeds to put the ring on her right hand. I said "baby, it goes on the other hand." She laughed and then switched hands to the correct one.

After all of the planning, thinking, agonizing and hard work... it paid off, and I think she's still in shock!

So that's how we got engaged!