Our love story began in jail...yes, jail!  I was a corrections officer and Kristina was "the intern".  Months passed without any further communication.  Later that summer, we both planned to test for a local law enforcement agency.  However, I chose to take a job with my previous law enforcement employer in Florida and was planning to move soon.  Kristina kept perusing her dreams though.  I mentioned to family if I ever got the chance to take Kristina on a date, then I would be stuck here - no doubt!  We both ended up remaining friends for the time being, but I continued to pray things would be heading in a different direction for us.  After one date with this woman, I had to break the news to everyone - I was no longer moving to Florida!

So, Christopher and I began dating that fall and everything began to fall into place for us!  I immediately knew, I was going to marry this man!  We moved into our home together near the lake.  We started fixing up projects nonstop!  And new things and places were being experienced for the both of us!  With Chris working nights at first and going on fire calls, my schooling, training, and now me working nights - we were able to share different parts of our days together that not every couple is able to do.  We started appreciating each other much more and understanding that our time together is valuable.

Around the last day of February 2015, Chris told me we were headed for a weekend getaway in St. Louis.  We were "re-looking" at rings from our last St. Louis trip in November.  However, in route, he detoured to the Lambert Airport!  Hmmm... what are you up to!?  Clearly, we were not staying in St. Louis tonight!  We boarded a plane and when we landed in Atlanta, I received my final boarding pass from him....Tampa!  Our true getaway vacation began!  We stayed in Clearwater and enjoyed our time together in the warm weather and on the beach.

On the evening of March 1st, I took Kristina to yet another surprise.  We boarded a sailboat, one of her dreams, and sailed into the Gulf of St. Petersburg.  The weather was amazing, the sunset was spectacular, the dolphins were present, and a rainbow appeared in the distance.  I took my best friend to the bow of the boat to "take some photos".  Little did she know she was about to get engaged.  I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me!  Hey eyes filled with tears and of course, she couldn't resist!  I will never forget her response.  I do!  Yes!!!

At that moment, the final sail opened and Chris had yet another surprise!  The lettering, "WILL YOU MARRY ME!?" encrypted on a banner inside the sail opened up!  And, little did I know, he had the entire engagement video-recorded!  We were able to watch our first sunset on the ocean's horizon together that evening on the bow of the sailboat.  I finished the night off with a romantic candlelight dinner at Rumba's - baked oysters and drinks.  Yum!

The next evening, little did I know, Christopher had yet ANOTHER surprise set in place.  He had arranged for sunset engagement photos on Treasure Island!  We laughed and giggled and admired the life we were about to start together. We were then able to spend a few more days on the beaches of Clearwater.  Then we flew home a newly engaged couple!

Our ceremony will be held on the stage of Flether Park's Ampetheatre.  We will be surrounded by the pond, fountains, and the running water on a beautiful hill overlooking the stage.  Before you know it, I will be walking down the isle!!!

Please join us for dinner, cocktails, and celebration at The Beach House.  We will be overlooking the lake and docks on a beautiful, brand new, nautical beach deck.  It'll be perfect for the summer time here in the Midwest!