The Proposal
After a very packed two weeks of holiday celebrations we were excited to lay low and take it easy on New Years. DPS's mother was in town so we ended up going to his sister's house for a few appetizers and a glass or two of champagne. We were having a great time and it was nice to celebrate the new year with friends and family, but we both mentioned how we wish we were celebrating at midnight with our pup at home where we could see the fireworks from downtown. (Surprisingly at this point I had no idea, I actually had a conversation that morning with my best friend about how I definitely didn't think he would do it on NYE and especially not when his mom was still in town. I believe I said, "trust me, don't wait by the phone...")
Around 11pm we decided to head back to our place and walk over to City Park to watch the fireworks at midnight. Over the drive home DPS was totally cool and gave absolutely no indication what the next hour held even further confirming my beliefs that proposing was the last thing on his mind. We chatted with his mother about her day and talked about Dick Clark's NYE special. Once home we rushed to get bundled up and prepared to venture out in the FREEZING cold to go watch the fireworks. It was about 3 degrees out (yes, THREE. and no, I am not kidding) and we couldn't help but laugh at each other as we walked out the door because we both looked like little marshmallow children. DPS suggested we drive over to City Park to try to stay warmer longer and once we got in the car mentioned, "well we're already driving, why not head all the way downtown..." and I agreed because he knows I always love the best view for the fireworks.
I should have known once he asked which street Holy Ghost was on because I have openly acknowledged that it is my favorite church in Denver and I had secretly planned to hold our future nuptials there. We walked around the courtyard and kissed under the Christmas lights and stood on the church steps for a few minutes (while doing so, a nice gentleman walked by and asked "oh you're wondering if they have midnight mass, well they do, come on in!" in which we smiled and said "oh ok, thanks!" Thanks for reminding us we're bad Catholics because we're not going to midnight mas on New Years, dude.) So after standing for a second we realize, hello we're downtown, we can walk straight up to where they're shooting them off and have an even better view. So we decide to venture the four blocks up to where the crowds were standing patiently waiting for the sky to light up.
We're walking along and as we are right between 16th and 17th we start to hear the fireworks go off. No!! We couldn't help but start laughing and running because all we could see were buildings and if we would have just stayed in our original spot we would have had perfectly fine view. We were sloshing along laughing and smiling because it was still midnight and we couldn't do anything but kiss! As we skipped along the fireworks were only going off for seriously 10 seconds when they abruptly stopped causing me to laugh and shout as I am out of breath, "ha, all this and we missed them. whoops!!" We stop and share our Happy New Year cheers with each other and as we are having another midnight kiss we hear the fireworks start up again. We knew they couldn't be that short so we finished walking the few feet up to the16th Street Mall where everyone stood watching the beautiful fireworks display. I was standing there, frozen yet in heaven, as we watch not one but two firework sets burst above us. All the while DPS is fidgeting and swaying behind me and I managed to take this photo on my iPhone:
So as we're standing there DPS starts getting sentimental and really lovey and I am thinking, hmm what's going on. The next thing I know he turns me around and is down on one knee and I just keep saying "What are you doing? Oh my God. OH MY GOD!!!!" I barely remember anything, just looking down and seeing him there and instantly freaking out. Then he smiled and said through his tears, "Honey, I love you. I could catch all of the trout in the world but I will never catch anything as good as you. Will you marry me?" and at this point I am just screaming and jumping up and down and everyone around us is cheering and clapping and I simply can't focus. Then he pulls out this box and opens the lid and I almost faint. I just remember thinking, "holy crap!!!" and I scream because it is in my opinion a rather large ring. I pull him up screaming and we're both crying and hugging and he finally says, "babe, you have to say yes!!" and I laugh and scream "Yes!!" through my tears and we kiss in one of the most romantic moments in history. :)
By now I am totally aware of every one staring at us and am on alert because I notice a lady video recording us and about 5 cameras flashing. DPS hands me the ring and says to put it on and I told him, "umm hello, you have to silly!!" He takes off my gloves and places the most amazing ring I have ever put my eyes on my finger and I started bawling again. It was so cold that DPS immediately told me to put my gloves back on replying, "you can look at it in the car babe." Umm HELLO, you can't just give a kid one single m&m candy while handing over the pack while saying, "sorry kid you can't eat the rest until you finish all your homework." Impossible, right?!? So I obliged and pulled my gloves patiently back on (ok maybe not patiently or silently, I think a few more screams and "Oh my Gods!" may have happened) as we practically raced the 3 blocks to the car. I called my parents and screamed again as random strangers looked over and laughed. Once safely seated in the Volvo and with the heat running full blast, I pulled off my gloves and started bawling again. It was perfect and so very typical DPS - over the top and ginormous, always spoiling me because he knows I am too practical and responsible to do it myself. I was so happy, I still can't express the joy my heart was feeling that night. I love DPS more than I ever knew I was capable of and I couldn't believe the moment had finally come... We were engaged! 1-1-11 will be a special day in our lives forever. (And as DPS so kindly reminded me, is also an extremely easy date to remember...) But isn't it crazy? We are in love and getting married. (disclaimer: I am crying, yes bawling, thinking about this again at my desk...)
Ok, Ok. Now to the next part people always ask about... the RING! DPS never fails to impress and clearly my bling is no different. It is more than I could have ever asked for but absolutely perfect in every way. I love it!! (PS Thank you Aunt Cheryl for all of your hard work and help in designing this jewelery masterpiece! ;) )
Looking back there were a few indicators that I should have picked up on during the days leading up to NYE. First, I can't believe that at least TEN people knew and I didn't pick up on anything. I mean near the final days DPS was "so excited" that he was telling his guys friends, his family, and his coworkers. Funny though he was smart enough to have the conversation with my dad that under absolutely no circumstances was he supposed to tell my mother or sisters because then I would have definitely found out! ;) Second, when his mother landed in Denver she was looking at Caitie's ring and made a comment about having our nails done and picked up my hand just to see my "holiday color." Third, before heading to the fireworks DPS had picked up a package from his sister's house that was for us from his mother. As we were driving DPS asked Kathy if we could open the box when we got home, she said, "oh umm why don't you wait until after the fireworks to open the present..." After we got home we opened the present we realized they were champagne flutes for us to celebrate with! Finally, I should have suspected that it was unusual for DPS to voluntarily go to a church outside of Sunday Mass. Add in that I am obsessed with the church and I am dying to get married there, I should have been smart enough to connect the dots. But hey, he was smart and caught me off guard. He knew I would never suspect it when we had family in town. We see fireworks and parades often, so that didn't set off any red flags either. Well at least we know I don't have a future in detective work...
So I hope you enjoyed my long and very animated reenactment of our proposal story. I look forward to sharing all of my wedding planning adventures right here, so stay tuned for more exciting details! :)
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