The Greatest Story of My Life, So Far

I want to tell you all about the greatest event that has ever happened to me so far in my life. I offer a warning though, this post has pictures of the most beautiful, amazing, spectacular, wonderful, pretty, funny, and smart woman I have ever met. That's a warning because she is engaged to me, and no one else can have her. I am going to work the hardest I can for the rest of my life to make sure that I never do anything that will hurt her, alienate her from me, or offend her with words or actions. Now, that being said, lets get down to what actually happened.

I had known for awhile that Christina was one of the most selfless, hard working, dedicated people I had ever met. She always takes care of her family and does whatever they need. This picture below is just one example, babysitting her neices all day (they're cute kids though)

I knew that she had been busy helping prepare for the upcoming ward activity. She also had been helping me get ready to move to a smaller one bedroom apartment after my cousin, Robbie, moved down to Miami. I also knew that I could use this same business as a smoke screen for what I really wanted to do. So on the Saturday before, while shopping for some much needed items, I casually brought up that since it had been busy and the coming week was sure to be even more busy why didn't we go out for a relaxing, romantic dinner one night. Then, the day before we went out, I happened to bring up the fact that I had gotten reservations at a nice restaurant and we would have to dress up. In Christina's own words "So, if I recall accurately, which I ALWAYS do ;) Wednesday came along and Russ mentioned that I needed to dress nice for dinner Thursday, since it was more upscale then I was apparently use to, and that I may even have to potentially purchase a new outfit (buy something new? And I am forced to? No problem!) But he reassured me that wasn’t necessary, darn! And that church attire would suffice. Thursday comes along with not much of anything out of the ordinary, other than Russell informing me that it will be fun just to go out to dinner because we can." She didn't know what was coming!

We went to dinner at a restaurant called Christini's, it was not only one of the award winning restaurants in the area but I also liked the play on her name. Dinner was good and the conversation with her was even better (as it always is). My goal throughout the evening was to very specifically list some of the reasons why I loved her so much. I would try to mention something she had done, preferably recently, and how that made me realize the wonderfully amazing person she was and why I loved her for it. After explaining why I loved her I planned to surprise her. Once again I will quote Christina becuase I think she says it so much better than I do. ". . . Russell got up to go to the bathroom. . . So imagine my surprise when he came back within like 60 seconds. Apparently the bathroom was very close!? We ate our dinner, and then Russell again had to excuse himself from the table, this time because he really was going to the bathroom and ran into the waiter earlier. (That’s his story and I believe he is sticking to it.) Needless to say, the behavior was a little off, but all seemed fine. Russell returned and we were talking and he continued with his nice, kind, sweet words on why he loved me…. and then he kind of paused and looked and said, “So really, there is only one question left”. At this point in time the waiter sets a beautiful plate down with a rose, petals, and a ring with the writing, Will you marry me? I look up and Russell is just like, “Well?”. I am sure I was laughing/smiling nervously and then he asks, “Will you marry me?”. Of course I said yes! I was so caught up in the moment that Russell had to point out for me to listen to the song the accordion player was playing for us. It was Josh Groban’s, When You Say You Love Me." It was a great evening that was very romantic and special (even if the AC was turned on full blast and she was freezing cold, hence my jacket on her in the pictures). I have a few more pictures posted below, and after looking at them you will realize that I am the luckiest, most blessed guy ever!!!!! She said Yes, to me. It doesn't get any better than that! Until she actually says yes the day of the marriage, but I'm not worried about any other answer that day either ;)