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THE VENICE BEACH BREAKOUT

BILL: On Thursday morning, the jeweler called to let me know that the engagement ring was ready. I was so excited that I immediately left work, got on my motorcycle and began a 200 mile trip to pick up the ring and to ask Bri's parents if I could join their family and take their daughter's hand in marriage. One thing I hadn't thought of was that it probably wasn't the best plan for me to ride up to her parents' house on a motorcycle, but I was pressed for time. They said "yes" anyhow.

BRI: I really hoped that Bill would ask my parents for their blessings before he proposed. I love and respect my parents so much, and I knew they would be honored to be a part of this major event in my life.

BILL: The only thing left to do was to "pop the question." With all of the romantic stories of how other men have proposed in mind, I first thought of putting on a theatrical spectacle that she would never forget. I thought of gondolas, hot air balloons, billboards, skywriting and Jumbo TV screens at a sporting event, but none of these things has anything to do with our relationship.

Our first full day together was a trip to Venice Beach and to the Getty Museum, so these are significant places for us. I thought either would provide a fitting and spectacular backdrop for us to look into our future together.

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, we set out for another full day together. I asked Bri if she'd be interested in going to the Getty and then maybe grabbing dinner at Venice Beach to watch the sunset. As we approached the Getty, a cloak of fog hovered close to the ground, obscuring one of the best works of art that the museum has – the view over Los Angeles and into the Pacific Ocean. Time for plan B: Venice Beach.

BRI: Between my new job, school, and Bill’s workload, things had been a little hectic. I was happy to have an opportunity to get away and "re-connect." I didn't care which particular place we went to, but the fog definitely was a deterrent from the Getty.

BILL: Venice Beach was cloudy, but not foggy. It was chilly, so I wore a zip-up sweatshirt with pockets to hold the ring. I was excited and nervous, but I also wanted to enjoy our day at the beach before the grand finale. Five minutes after starting our stroll down the boardwalk, a street performer insisted on making me a part of his breakdancing show along with three other equally non-enthused gentleman. A crowd of about 30 watched us mimic the performer's movements which included Michael Jackson-style pelvic thrusts. With the ring already bulging through my sweatshirt pocket I did my best to cover it from Bri's keen eyes and to make sure it didn't fall out onto the pavement.

BRI: Bill's left hand was attached closely to his hip for most of the performance. I know he's no dancer, but everyone knows where you're supposed to grab when you're doing MJ’s pelvic thrusts – for those who don’t, it’s not the hip. His performance was little awkward, but I didn't feel the need to criticize him.

BILL: After my unexpected performance, I recognized that there was more to fear in walking around Venice Beach with an engagement ring in my pocket than asking for Bri's hand in marriage. We promptly bought a beach blanket and made our way out onto the sand. Just as the clouds were clearing for a view of the sunset, we settled down side-by-side and enjoyed our togetherness. I said the things that only Bri and I will know I said and then asked her to marry me.

BRI: It was perfect!

AN AIRPLANE FULL OF ROSES©

A young man boarded a plane for Dallas with a huge armful of beautiful red roses. He was on his way to ask the love of his life to marry him.

As he walked down the airplane aisle, he handed each passenger a rose and showed them a picture of his fiancé-to-be who would be meeting him at the gate.

At his request, as each passenger left the plane upon landing they walked up to the surprised and curious young woman and handed her a rose with a word or two of good wishes. When her arms were full of roses the passengers began laying the rest of them around her feet.

With his fellow passengers gathered in a semi-circle around her, all beaming with pleasure, the young man walked up to his love, knelt on one knee, presented her with a beautiful diamond ring, and asked her to be his wife.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX HONEY?©

Fred knew he'd need to enlist the help of his father-in-law-to-be in order to carry out his plan to present Mary with a diamond engagement ring. Fred and George discussed the role that each would play, and the plan was set in motion.

Fred had himself encased in a square wooden crate at George's carpentry shop. Small air holes were drilled in the side of the box so Fred could secretly look out without anyone else being able to see in.

After renting a questionable-looking old truck, Fred hired a couple of men to deliver the wooden crate laden with official stamps and addresses to Mary's home. Mary's father answered the door and signed for the box, yelling, "Mary, there's a box out here for you. What in the heck did you buy now?"

Everyone was saying "What is it?", "Why don't you open it?", "Hurry up!" until finally George said, "Let me get a hammer and some tools and let's see what's in here."

Excitement levels ran high, particularly for Mary, her mother, and her sister. They became increasingly frustrated with George as he took his own sweet time to open the box. He pried the lid open one nail at a time. Finally opened, he gently removed the lid and set it on the floor.

Mary looked in and all she could see was a large circular disc which had written on it "I love you . . . will you marry me?"

"What going on here?" she laughed, pulling on the circular, hat-like object. Up popped Fred with a big smile on his face. "Mary, you are the most beautiful, kind, caring person I've ever known, and I'd like to spend the rest of my life with you . . . will you marry me?"

With tears in her eyes, Mary whispered "yes" as Fred slipped a diamond ring on her finger.

STRIKE UP THE BAND©

My fiancé James is the director of our local high school band and he used that position to his advantage the day he proposed to me.

I work in a small office in which I'm by myself most of the time. The office is located in the center of a large parking lot that usually has very few cars in it and I overlook that parking lot.

It was a Friday morning during football season, and as is usually the case, I could hear the marching band practicing in the distance. That was a familiar sound every day as James led his young band members in their maneuvers to be displayed at the Friday night football games.

This morning I noticed that the sound of the band was getting closer and closer. "Terrific", I thought, "sounds like I'll get to see them march by this morning." Five minutes later, sure enough, I saw the whole band rounding the corner, James in the lead.

I watched in surprise as the band turned into my parking lot and began marching into one of their formations. Only the snare drums sounded as they moved precisely into place -- a giant heart formed before my eyes. They began playing "My Heart Belongs to You" and James marched smartly to the center of the heart.

James knelt down and looked up at my window where he could see me watching in amazement. First he put his hands over his heart and mouthed "I love you Karen" and then he held a box up toward me. He opened it and I could see that a ring glinted in the sun. At that moment, the entire band, in perfect synchronicity shouted, "Karen. Will you marry James?"

My answer was much quieter, but the beaming smile on James's face told me that he had heard my "yes" quite clearly.