We got engaged on Wednesday, June 24th, 1998. If anyone has seen the movie Hope Floats, well let's just say Maureen really, REALLY liked what Harry Connick Jr. was wearing in the bar scene. So naturally I went out and got an outfit somewhat similar to what he was wearing. As for the ring, that took much more planning. I had the ring made pretty much from scratch, starting about a month before I popped the question. So here I am with everything ready to go; all I needed was a day off so I could ask her. Maureen had to work on Wednesday the 24th, but I said, "Hey, why don't we meet for dinner. If you get to the restaurant before me, get a table." Easier said than done!!! Mo called me as she was leaving work to head to the restaurant. I got in my car and drove like a bat out of hell to the restaurant. I waited in the parking lot so I could see her go in, and to wait for her to get a table. Let me tell ya, I was ready to come in and get the whole place's attention with her sitting at the table. Well, as fate would have it, things never quite work out the way ya plan. I walked in the place, and she was still standing in the lobby area waiting to be seated. I looked at her, she looked at me, and then she looked away. SHE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ME!!!! I said hi, but in retrospect, I could have gone straight to the bar and she would have never known. Oh well. So when I said "hi", she looked back over and freaked out on what I was wearing. *laugh* Then we were seated. So here we are at the table. Now we have this joke at home. One night, we were eating sandwiches, and I leaned over and said "Wanna taste my sandwich?" She looked at me that night and said "Oh, that's romantic!" *laugh* Then it just turned into a joke between us. So, back to the restaurant. We are sittin across from one another at the table eating chips and salsa. I asked her to lean over and taste my chips (hehe). She did, and while we were kissing, I layed out the ring under our chins. When we separated, she looked down, and I popped the question. Needless to say, she freaked out. It was too damn funny. All the comotion I wanted to start, she just did it herself. *laugh* So here we are in the middle of restaurant with Maureen freaking out and the whole place congradulating her. It was great. Well, there ya have it in a nutshell. Wedding plans are set for next summer. We'll keep ya'll posted. These pics below are of what I wore that night, and the infamous ring. Take care.
