We got engaged on Sunday, October 16, 2022...

S: I'll start this one because I knew this was coming long before Crystal did (or so I thought). So I'd had Crystal's ring for a few months, but I was waiting for the perfect time. After a while, I got so nervous about everything that I decided I needed to just go ahead and do it. I started calling everyone to set things in motion, all secretly of course.

C: I'll be honest, I suspected that Samson was going to propose soon. I knew he'd bought the ring and that he had started getting nervous, so I knew it was only a matter of time.

S: Suffice it to say, there was lots and lots and lots of planning. So when everything was finally in place, I had to think of ways to get Crystal to the proposal without her suspecting. I decided to go with dinner.

C: About a week or so before the proposal, Samson suggested that we plan a fancy dinner since it had been a few months since our last fancy dinner date night. We talked about a few dates, then Samson suggested Sunday, October 16th. I thought a Sunday night dinner was odd, but I decided to go with it. Samson said he would make the reservation and later that day I got a notification on our shared calendar for the dinner reservation. As we got closer to Sunday, Samson started talking about a problem he was having with work and mentioned that he would talk to a mutual friend who is in the same field about it. He must have mentioned this 3 or 4 times, but I didn't think much of it.

S: Okay, so it's proposal day and I am definitely expecting everything that can go wrong to go wrong. Thankfully, it didn't. First, I had Crystal's sister and a couple of friends come by my house to collect the ring because I was afraid she would see it in my pocket when I picked her up. Then they went ahead to the surprise location while I went to pick Crystal up.

C: So when Sunday comes around, I am totally suspicious but talking myself out of my suspicions at the same time. My sister, EeJay, leaves the house with some friends saying they were going to try out a new lounge spot. I briefly suspected them, but then I let it pass. I started getting ready and, of course, by the time Samson shows up I still only have half my make up on. He was surprisingly chill considering we had a reservation..SUSPICIOUS! Anyway, while I was getting ready, Samson starts waving around a flash drive. He brought up the work problem again and mentioned that our mutual friend would be able to help, but that we needed to stop by his house so we could load it on the drive. Apparently, it couldn't be sent any other way. He also said we had to stop before dinner because it would be late afterwards. I didn't expect that friend would be in on anything (and this friend is a notoriously early sleeper, so the story tracked), so I let it go again.

S: I was so sure that Crystal wouldn't buy my explanation to stop over at our friend's house before dinner, but it looked like she did. When she was ready, we headed out. I told her that when we got there, I would run in briefly to get what I needed and she could just wait in the car.

C: When we got to our friend's house, I was fine to wait in the car because I had heels on anyway. Shortly after Samson went in, our friend came out to say hi. He then mentioned that his mom was in town and asked if I wanted to come in to say hi to her. How does one say no to that? I walked into the front door and Samson was in the center of the living room on one knee holding the most beautiful ring. He asked me to spend the rest of my life with him....

S: And she said YES!!

C: Oh, and my traitor sister and friends who were supposed to be at a "lounge" were all there! Along with many of our close friends. Lies and deception aside, it was a beautiful moment and I am so glad we got to share it with them.