David and I met through an online dating website. At first, we were both very apprehensive about the online dating sites, but now we are so glad that we tried it! We had both heard about online dating through friends and after I signed up David was the first person I connected with through the site. We emailed with each other for a few weeks and then decided to meet in person on a real first date.

We decided to meet up at a restaurant called The Harryman House. As I got ready for the date, I was a bit nervous. I wasn't sure how it would go and I was curious to find out if David really was who he said he was online. Later, when I arrived at the restaurant and saw David for the first time I was very relieved. He looked even more handsome in person than he had in his profile photo. I was especially drawn to his warm smile and eyes. It was exciting to get to know him in person. After that first date, we continued to see each other on and off for a year before we realized that we were ready to settle down and be together forever.

We had talked of getting married but whenever the subject came up, David said he had a plan and that there was no way he was going to propose before March 13, 2007. I knew he was planning something but I really didn't know what. The first weekend in March we took a trip up to New York to celebrate David's father's 60th birthday with the rest of his family. It was a long four and a half hour car ride and David was very quiet during the entire trip. Since we usually talked and joked the whole way, I wondered if something was wrong. However, he explained that he had work on his mind and was thinking about it. After that I tried to relax and enjoy the quiet ride as best I could.

David's mother had planned a special party for his father at a local restaurant. All of David's family was there including many aunts, uncles, and cousins. After we had all finished the birthday dinner together, Dave stood up to toast his dad. He started his toast by saying that he had gotten his dad an extra special birthday present this year. As he went on to describe how important women are, we were all wondering where he was going with his toast. Then, I heard him say that he wanted to give his dad a daughter-in-law for his birthday. While I was trying to figure out what he was talking about, David dropped to one knee in front of me and pulled out a beautiful ring. I was completely shocked! It was wonderful though. As soon as I realized that David was really proposing to me it was suddenly as if we were the only two people in the room. Since it was still several weeks before his earliest proposal deadline and I definitely didn't see it coming.

I found out later that everyone in his family knew he was going to propose that night except for me and his father. Also, everyone in my family knew as well because David had told them he was going to propose before we left for New York. They were all anxiously awaiting our call to tell them the exciting news. On our trip up to New York, David had been very quiet in the car because he hadn't wanted to slip up and accidentally give away the fact that he was planning to propose. Now I know why he was so quiet!

We knew we wanted a beach wedding, but we didn't want all of our relatives to have to travel out of the country. So, we set our wedding for June 24, 2007 and decided to hold it in Key West, Florida. When the big day arrived, I spent the morning on the beach before getting a manicure and pedicure. A hair and make-up artist came to my hotel room and before I knew it, it was time to get dressed and take the pictures. Soon I found myself surrounded by 30 of our closest friends and family, walking down the aisle to meet David. After months and months of planning, I was so excited that the day had finally arrived, and everything looked more beautiful than I could have imagined. As I approached the end of the aisle I looked up and saw David waiting for me, tears filled up my eyes, I was so happy!

Since we were married on a beach, we decided to include a sand ceremony. Each of us held a bottle of colored sand we each took turns pouring our sand into one big bottle to symbolize the two of us becoming one.

Marriage is wonderful. I love it that I get to spend every day with my best friend. We have the best time together always, no matter what we're doing. We'll celebrate our first anniversary this June and on the anniversary of the day we met we'll head back to the Harryman House for another romantic dinner!