OH MY GOODNESS! I have no idea where time has gone…All I know is that it is moving faster than ever now! I will continue to update as my date QUICKLY approaches, and obviously after I return home from paradise…That is if I can be dragged home from paradise! So I guess the best place to begin is at the beginning! How We Meet: It all began what now seems like ages ago at a Hollister & Co. at South Hills Village Mall near Pittsburgh, Pa. Joe was working there as a sales associate which they refer to as "models", and I had just been recently hired there. In fact, Joe was the one that recruited me to work there. Although when you ask him the story he says he doesn't remember recruiting me, but deep down I know he just wouldn't admit it! After working together for a while Joe and I became really great friends. We got along so well and had a lot in common. However, at the time (I was about 16 and he was 18) I had a boyfriend and he had a girl friend, so we were nothing more than great friends. A little ways into our friendship Joe in listed to join the Army Reserves, and he was being sent away to boot camp. I was really sad to see such a good friend go, but when he was away we kept in touch and he wrote me now and then. After his time at boot camp was over Joe returned home to Pittsburgh, Pa. I was at that point attending college at West Virginia University. We also at the time were both single. I came home to Pittsburgh on break and Joe and I decided to get together since we had not seen each other in such a long time. I decided I wanted to take Joe out for his first sushi experience! He was nervous about the sushi, but glad we were going to be seeing each other. While at the restaurant they brought our sushi out to us in the shape of a heart. We both laughed, but I guess they saw something in us that we did not yet see. I had to return to school for the rest of the year and we remained in touch and good friends. In fact we started to see more and more of each other. Joe would come and visit me at WVU, and we would have a blast together! After my sophomore year at WVU I returned home for summer break. Joe and I decided to go out on a date together, and we were inseparable! A few weeks later we were boyfriend and girlfriend! We dated for many years, and then....... The Engagement: Joe and I had a trip to Mexico planned for my birthday. I was expecting to get engaged there. I mean talk about a perfect opportunity for him to pop the question! However, Joe sat me down the night before we left and said to me, "Jamie we have plenty of time to get engaged. I am not going to propose to you in Mexico and I do not want it to ruin our trip and you be sad and disappointed." I reluctantly understood, and figured hey we are going to be in Mexico for my birthday I will not let this ruin our trip we have plenty of time! So, we headed off to Mexico! Joe seem more nervous than usual from the second we left I could tell something was just not right! We went through security and he was white as a ghost! I was worried, but he assured me everything was fine he just had a stomach ache and he was ready to he there already. As soon as we arrived in Mexico Joe seemed 100% better we checked in and enjoyed a wonderful first day in paradise! Then, the next day we spent the entire day at the pool and set up dinner reservations at Maria Margarita one of the restaurants inside of our hotel the Riu Caribe. After dinner we were going to go see the show the hotel was putting on in the theatre that night they were doing Chicago and I did not want to miss it! However, Joe insisted that he HAD to change his shirt before we went over here. I was annoyed because I wanted to get a good seat for the show, but I had to use the restroom so I agreed to go up to the room real quick first. Once in our room I walked out of the bathroom and Joe was standing outside on our balcony. I joined him out there and he put his arm around me kissed my forehead and said, "Jamie I could not see myself spending the rest of my life with anyone, but you." As if that wasn't clue enough that he was going to propose! I was completely clueless! In fact he then got down on one knee and I yelled, "are you okay?!" because I thought he had fallen down! He laughed at me said, "Yes, Jamie I am fine." reached into his pocket, and pulled out the most beautiful ring, and finally asked, "Jamie, will you marry me?" I was so excited I burst into tears!! and said, " OF COURSE!" We then spent the rest of our time in paradise as a newly engaged couple. It was a truly magical trip. Here are a few pictures from our trip! Dinner right before Joe Propose: Us at cenote de chichen itza: Us at amazing chichen itza: I could post pictures all day of that trip, but I better continue on my my thread so much more to cover!
Okay…just a few more I promise! I just love them all I could not choose just a few! And I could keep posting, but I'll move on!
