Seven Years Ago Today.....

...these two crazy kids got engaged. Brett had planned a special night out for us and I SO knew e he was going to propose! The night before our date I had been snooping around in his room while he was in the shower and I found a Shane Co. (our favorite jewelry store) box and I felt so guilty for even having found it. I didn't open it or anything, I was scared to jinx myself!

We decided to start our date out by going to the Pittock Mansion to look at the Christmas decorations. As we were in line, we noticed that every single person there was over 60 years old. After some eavesdropping, we realized that the mansion had been reserved that evening for a private event. We gracefully slid out of line and laughed our way back to the car.

Since the Pittock Mansion was closed, we went to Portland International Raceway and drove through a lights display. It was very fun and romantic.

Afterwards we headed to dinner at Pazzo's restaurant downtown. We had never been there before but it looked very cozy and like the perfect place for a special date. On the way to dinner, Brett had gotten out some cash from our bank account. (Yes, we had a shared account at this point. We knew we were getting married from day one of our relationship and I needed a bank account so I just signed up on Brett's.) Anyways, while we were at dinner Brett was looking at the receipt from getting cash out. "Look at our bank account....it's HUGE!!" he says and shows me the balance. My heart sinks. It was huge. Which meant there was no way that he could have bought my ring. I start to silently sulk. Did he plan that ring box the night before as a decoy? I feel my eyes squint as I stare at the man who totally had me going.

But then he started saying all kinds of sweet things. He had asked me when we first started dating what my dream proposal looked like. I said that the only thing that mattered to me was hearing why he wanted to marry me. And so Brett started saying these really wonderful things, I wish I had written them down but I just know that they were perfect. Then the waitress brought out a "Build-a-Bear" cardboard house and in it was a bear that had a recording of Brett saying "Patti Green, will you marry me". :) The bears name on the "birth certificate" was Merry Me. :) My husband is so clever. He got out the ring and asked me to marry him. Of course I said YES!!!! He had taken the bear downtown before dinner and had planned the whole thing out. It was one of the most special nights of my life! After we basked in our delirious happiness, we headed to each of our parents houses to celebrate. They knew in advance that Brett was going to ask me that night. My mom had sparking cider and a card, very thoughtful. We took the picture above at Brett's parents card, you can see the bear too.

Thank you for asking me to be your wife honey, I love you more and more each day!!!