August 2, 1997

Ten years ago today, on the steps of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Bob asked me to marry him. I know people around us were watching as Bob got down on bended knee to propose and pulled out this beautiful diamond ring, but at that time, to me, we were the only two people there. It was a beautiful, warm summer night. We had gone out to eat at Old Angler's Inn along the Potomac River and then drove downtown (with Elton John's "Your Song" playing on CD) to our favorite spot....the Jefferson Memorial. He was sweating, I thought because it was so hot, but really because he knew what he was about to do ;) I cannot even remember what he said to me that night when he proposed, because I was, I don't know, nervous, happy, all those things. To this day, he claims I never said "yes." I was speechless, I guess...it was so surreal to be sitting on the steps of this magnificent monument with the man I knew God intended for me, asking me to spend the rest of his life with him. I was 33 years old and had waited a long time to find the love of my life, and it was actually happening!...here's the thing, we had only had only been dating for 4 months. But after the first date, I knew he was the one. The following January, we were married. I am so thankful that when I was 25, I finally put the responsibility of finding me a husband in the hands of the Lord. He made me wait 8 years before bringing Bob and I together, but I can honestly say, that doing it God's way is the ONLY way because I have a marriage that far surpasses my expectations, desires, or what I deserve. So, "my love, my valentine," the answer is "yes"....