Probably since around May of 1999 when I casually asked Kristel what she'd say if I asked her to marry me and to my surprise, and no doubt hers, she said yes. Since then there has been much talk on our part. We were actually going to do it. We were looking into catering halls. We were talking children! If you know Kristel well at ALL, you know that's a huge thing! So after after all this talk and all this planning (That she has NO idea about), why did I throw it all out the window on December 5th, 1999 and suddenly propose out of the blue? Well that, like so many of my long winded stories, requires an explanation.

We and her sister Lauren went to Kayla's (their cousins' daughter) Christening. Afterwards, everyone went to a friends house to relax and have a bite to eat. As soon as we walked in the door it was picture time and I ended up with 6 month old Kayla in my arms. Now, I've held babies before (I still love you Daria. :-) ) but this was different. Kayla just stared, I mean stared at me with this beautiful curious look on her face. I sat down with her and sang this "lullaby" while rocking her and she fell asleep!

I don't know if that really sunk in for you. She fell asleep in my arms. Usually I only put people to sleep when I talk. I tend to ramble (as I imagine you've figured out by now). But there she was asleep in my arms.

I instantly became "DADDY MAN!" I kept looking down to make sure she was breathing. I didn't want ANYONE, incuding Kristel, to come near her while she slept. I wouldn't let anyone disturb her and while most of the men in the room were watching the Jets-Giants game, (sorry the Jets lost Dave...) I was more than happy to just stare at this beautiful little girl sleeping, sighing and dribbling on my chest for about an hour and a half. I was heartsick when Pardeice (Kayla's mother) took her back and all I could think is how much I want this with Kristel...

Fast forward a few hours and we're back at my apartment. I was at my computer, as I almost always am, and she was making some dinner in the kitchen. I heard this loud bang. I ran inside to see what happened and it seems that as she was cooking, the lid popped up off the pot and hit the floor. I don't know how long it was until I stopped asking her if she was alright. When I finally did stop, I sat at my computer, looked at her and signed off from the program I was working in.

I took her hand and led her into my room where I told her, and now share with all of you, how much she means to me. How much closer we've become and how much joy she brings to my life. I paused for a second and the words came out. "Will you marry me?" I can only imagine what went through her mind at that second. Perhaps she'll update this and tell you but she said yes which was all I cared about in the world.

KRISTEL'S PERSPECTIVE
I was very surprised when Kevin proposed to me on December 5, 1999. Like he said, we had been talking about it and had looked into some wedding related things. But, I was not expecting a proposal at that particular moment; he really caught me off guard. After the exploding pot lid incident (too much steam pressure had built up in the pan), he WAS acting a little strange. I assumed it was because he was concerned if I had been hurt. He asked me to come into the room, so I did. He then embraced me, looked me straight in the eye and told me how much he loves me, that he wants to take care of me, how I make him happy and then...THE QUESTION. Will you marry me? I gasped, said "OhmyGod" and paused for a split second. I then said "yes" very quickly because I didn't want him to think the answer was anything but yes. I became a little emotional and teary eyed as I told Kevin that I love him very much. After I settled down, I called my parents, family and friends to tell them the good news and sent out a mass e-mail to those whose phone numbers I didn't have handy.

I was happy and excited about the fact that Kevin was my fiance. It just seemed so right as our relationship really came full circle since our high school days.

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