A warm Christmas in Virginia quickly turned into the best day of my life, so far. After a long 16 hour drive we quickly got ready for a christmas eve party which turned into helping my sister in law wrap presents at 3 am after a bit too much egg nog. Needless to say the next morning it felt like the little drummer boy had been practicing on my forehead. Gift opening ensued and a Nurf battle broke out! Once things settled down, I was preoccupied with trying to pull a prank on my lovely sister when Jake called for my attention. I met him in front of the Christmas tree. He began saying that we have been dating for a while, to which I replied, "yeah, what's your point?" My scattered brain was busy trying pull off a prank. It was when Jake kept going and getting mushy that the little bell in my head went off and thats when he dropped to one knee. In a little box I found my Greatgrandmothers wedding ring, which I now get to wear proudly as a symbol of our lasting love. The best part of the day, my family got to witness the happiest moment in my life and celebrate it with me all while in our pajamas.

Christmas 2015 would be one for the ages, and one I will never forget in my life. This was, in fact, the first Christmas I spent away from my family with a chance to be a part of another family.  The drive was long and cold from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. At last, we made it to Virginia with enough time for a quick nap before Christmas Eve festivities began. I know what you're thinking, classic engagement over Christmas, but what a better way to do so. The months leading up to this Christmas I was successful in throwing off Jen from the ideal of a potential engagement over the holidays. Over the course of Christmas eve, and with the enormous help from Jen's Mom, Debbie (assistance in providing the ring for the occasion - I will be forever be grateful) I was able to finalize the events to unfold the next day.

Christmas day in Virginia started out warmer than any other Christmas I could remember. I was sweating. Not sure if it was from the warmer weather or from my scattered brain being nervous beyond belief.  The sleep was again limited, as I was assisting some give wrapping the night before. I don't really remember much of that morning or the gift opening I was participating in leading up to the proposal.  But in my head, I was rehearsing what I would say over and over again. Then all attention was on me. As Debbie announced that there was one more gift to give, here was the moment that would forever change my life. I stood up, met Debbie by the tree, and asked for Jen to join me on center stage. An ohh crap, I just forgotten everything I was to say. Nervous beyond belief,at the audience before us, I mumbled some words out that detailed the last 12 months. Being some of the best in my life, I do remember Jen blushing, shy, and borderline embarrassed.  Her thought probably, why is he saying this.  That was the moment, I dropped to one knee asking for her to be my wife. An what a whirlwind it was, when she said yes.