Thanksgiving day 2015. It was just after midnight and it was one of the worst weeks I can remember. My dear friend and second mom, Karen Callaway had passed a few days earlier and I was definatly still reeling from that loss. We were just chatting on the sofa like we usually do. Out of the blue Chris asked me if I was really serious about getting married to him. I looked at him and said "Is this a rhetorical question or are you asking?". He paused for a moment and said "Well I guess I am asking". My response was "Of course I'll marry you". We sat there stunned for a few minutes and I asked him if we were really engaged. He said yes. I immediatly picked up the phone to call my best friend Marianne. Chris yelped "You can't call her now, it's 1 am". I told him I just got engaged and she was my best friend and I could call her whenever I wanted to.... I left a message. We called my family in the morning at a reasonable hour and then the most fun part happened. We got to announce our engagement to his family at Thanksgiving dinner... I never felt more loved and accepted. In my heart I know Karen was with us that night and gave us both her blessing. That man of mine is full of surprises! 

Side note: the sparkly rock came 6 months later. It's very pretty but Chris is the real rock in my life