Thank You!!!!!

We just wanted to Thank everyone for their generosity! We have collected several Prom dresses and accessories to donate to the girls at Charles Tindley High School. We couldn't have done this with you. So again Tonya and I, thank you.
If anyone else would like to donate a dress you may drop your donations off at front desk of the Julian Center just let the receptionist know that its for the Charles Tindley Prom.

Calling out for old Prom Dress

Help us make this prom happen

The donated dresses are for juniors and senior at Charles Tindley High School, this is an accelerated school. This will be the first graduating class (and first prom) with about 25-30 kids making it to graduation. My understanding is that without donations of dresses, shoes and accessories, the prom won’t happen. We are emailing all of our friends to ask for help in collecting gently used formal dresses (in spring colors), shoes and accessories. Our deadline is March 17th. If you know anyone who might want to pass on a gown, please let us know. The girls range in size from 2-28. Thank you! Please email tonya@circlecityplanners.com

WE HAVE A WINNER

Jessica and Josh engagement story won us over. How romantic to have a man get down on one knee on top of the Empire State Building. It just reminds me of the movies. Here's the story one more time.

The love affair started while I was bartending at the local watering hole, and Josh, was becoming a new watering hole regular. After what seemed like eons of flirting, Josh finally got the nerve to ask Union Jack’s best drink mixologist out for a date, me. Little did I know due to our ridiculously hectic schedule, our first date would be a long time coming. I knew Josh was the guy for me when he said those three little words… I love you, first. We dated for 6 years.Fast forward to November 6th, 2008, the first “Happiest Day of My Life”. My sister Julie, her husband Evan, Josh and I planned our very first trip the NYC, that’s right New York City!! We were so excited to vacation with each other because Jules and Evan live in L.A. and Josh and I live here in Indy. Josh and I got off the plane in NYC on Tuesday, a few hours before Julie and Evan were due in from L.A. The city was cold and windy, but we didn’t seem to notice because the sun was shining and we were exploring a fast, fun, loud and surprisingly romantic city. I was so excited just to be there. We found a great Scottish pub and enjoyed some adult beverages with the locals. This turned out to be a nice relaxing way to start our trip. We later met up with Jules and her better half to check out the awe- inspiring sites and try one of the things New York is famous for, PIZZA.After we were full of adult beverages and slices, Josh suggested heading over to the Empire State Building. We all agreed to see the city glistening like a diamond. Now remember, its November, its cold and its crazy windy, especially a bajillion stories up from the street. After running around the observation deck like kids in a candy store, Josh and I huddled in a corner admiring Times Square. Julie asked me for my camera, I handed it to her and when I turned back around, Josh was down on bended knee. I asked (like a crazy person) what he was doing, thinking maybe he was having a back spasm. Nope, he was just proposing. Awwww…I think every little girl dreams of her engagement and wedding, plans it out, acts it out, but when that moment comes, the really beautiful part is that it still knocks you off your feet. In slow motion, I can still see his face and hear his voice say “There is so much I want to say right now, but can’t, so will you marry me?” I still see him on bended knee and hear the words even though I am just watching him sleep. Back on the observation deck, I was in such shock; Evan had to ask what I was going to say! I could not help to scream “yes” for all of New York and the rest of the Eastern Seaboard to hear. Then the paparazzi started a.k.a Julie and Evan. On a dark, cold, windy night the cameras lite up our little corner of deck like Times Square. Josh swept me up in his arms and kissed me long and lovingly and as the first time as my fiancé.

Shae & Chris Engagement Story

So I didn't actually get engaged IN Indianapolis, but here's my story...

I happened to accidentally stumble upon the city of Indianapolis last summer, just passing through on a cross-country move from North Carolina out to California.. and now I am moving to Indianapolis and marrying my fiance there!!

To make a long story short, I ended up having an extended stay in Indianapolis last fall/winter for 5 months. I met Chris in October and we began dating. We dated the whole time I was in Indianapolis. I moved back to North Carolina for work in January, and we did the whole long distance relationship for almost a year, him in Indianapolis and me in NC. It wasn't easy, but we were usually able to see each other every other weekend, which really helped. Things got tougher though when I found out I was moving to California for my job this January. I was having a really hard time with it because we were going to have a 3 hour time difference between us, and the flights were going to be a lot longer. I knew seeing each other every other weekend wasn't going to be very easy or realistic. At the beginning of December I was starting to freak out a bit about moving. I got sad and scared and kind of nervous about it all. I knew things between us were going to be harder being even farther away and not seeing each other nearly as often. So not only was I worried about all this, but I was also in the process of packing up all of my stuff to make the move, AND Christmas was rapidly approaching. Stress, stress, stress. To make matters even worse, I had been unable to get a hold of my mom all week (I talk to my mom when I'm stressed.. she usually has some words of advice, although I don't always follow it, but I at least listen). Anyway, Chris was coming to visit that weekend. I didn't even have anything planned for his trip, figuring we would just kind of play the weekend by ear.

Chris arrived Friday night and on Saturday we decided to drive down to Wilmington, a very cute city along the Cape Fear River (for you WB fans, Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill were both filmed there) to do some Christmas shopping for the day. It was about a 2 hour drive, so we were going to spend the day in Wilmington shopping, go downtown and have dinner afterward, then head back home. After a long afternoon of shopping, we were both exhausted. I couldn't imagine spending 2 hours in the car without falling asleep. Chris seemed to be feeling the same way, and he suggested that we find a a place to just spend the night. I agreed. As we were driving around, however, Chris kept driving past hotel after hotel, which is where I assumed we were going to stay. Instead of a hotel, Chris stops in front of a cute bed and breakfast downtown Wilmington. We were both trying to save money, so it took me by surprise that this is where he wanted to stay. I didn't bring anything for an over-night trip, but I didn't argue, especially after taking a tour and seeing how quaint and comfortable everything looked. So we took the room and rested a bit before dinner.

Dinner was so much fun! We ate at a restaurant that had an outside private 2-person balcony that overlooked the river (very romantic). We ordered appetizers and a bottle of wine.. and of course dessert. Afterward we walked along the boardwalk back to our room, with twinkling Christmas lights illuminating the way back. The whole town was so beautifully decorated for Christmas. Back at our place we drank a glass of wine and sat on the balcony talking and joking, Chris had been joking about silly, ridiculous things he was going to get me for Christmas all day (a pair of old baggy sweat pants, one of his belts, etc). He asked me to come over and stand by him, to check out the view, I assumed. But instead he kissed me, hugged me, and told me, "You know all that stuff I told you I was going to get you for Christmas? Well, I'm not getting you any of it." I thought he was still kind of joking around, not quite sure where he was going with it. Then he got very serious and said, "I'm giving myself to you for Christmas," and then he got down on one knee (yes, one knee!) and asked me to marry him! I seriously stood there for 10 seconds (he said it felt like 10 minutes) in complete shock. I finally kissed him and said, "Yes, Yes, YES!.. put it on, put it on!" (the ring). I couldn't stop smiling! He had had the ring with him all day long in his pocket. He said he had been so completely nervous the whole day.. afraid he was going to lose the ring or that I would say no (silly boy). I had absolutely no idea he was going to propose then!! He had picked out the ring the week earlier, and it was perfect in every way. I still tell him that if I were to pick out a ring for myself this is exactly the one that I would choose. Everything about that day was perfect.. it was the intimate, sweet proposal that I had always imagined. I called all of my family to tell them, but they already knew Chris was going to ask me that night. He had called my parents and asked for their blessing earlier in the week. That's why I hadn't heard from my mom all week! She was afraid that if she talked to me she was going to ruin the surprise!

The next morning we had an amazing breakfast (upside down banana pecan pancakes.. yummy!) at the house. Two other couples were staying at the B&B, too. We were all talking at the breakfast table, and one couple said they were there to celebrate the wife's birthday, and the other couple had just got married the night before. I couldn't help myself and I blurted out, "We got engaged here last night!" We are definitely going back to Wilmington to stay at the same B&B again! It was so sweet and romantic!!

All the stress that had accumulated prior to this weekend disappeared. I was so happy and seriously could not stop smiling. We set a wedding date for October 17, 2008, so I'm only staying in California until early summer, which makes things much more manageable, much less worrying about where things were going between us. I also got all the Christmas presents I needed AND finally talked to my mom.. so everything worked out fabulously!!

...now all I have to worry about is the inevitable stress of wedding planning...

Damon's Proposal

Here is Damon's Proposal Story Sept 20, 2007. I had thought about this day for about 9 months in terms of how or what words would I say. As the day approached I had asked her mother, father, brother, and GOD mother for her hand in marriage. I thought about how we met and our first dinner and our first kiss. So the day began pretty normal as she works in sales so she has a territory that she covers. I called her asking if we could meet for lunch, or in other words a kiss-drive by as I knew she had a working lunch getting ready to begin. She agreed and we met - not realizing it was the same location of our first kiss. As the day continued I began to inform her friends and family of my plan and to meet back at her house for the family engagement gathering. As the day continued we later met after work heading north to look at computers to which was my plan of being close to our first date encounter. The location to where 'my wife to be.' said "I am so not feeling you". So as we left the computer store and headed home I asked her if she was hungry and if she wanted a bite to eat. She was surprised because normally I would never want to stop at the location due to the memories and my reminder of how she turned me down the 1st time we ate there! :) Upon our arrival (to Bennigan's) we walked in I indicated I forgot something in the car, the staff asked her to come outside as I waited patiently on one knee. Well, baby this is where it started and I want to know will you marry me? Our wedding date is 9-20-08

Joe and Adrianne's Engagement Story

July 27, 2007


Joe had been working on this painting for the past couple of months at his Pop’s house. When he first contacted the Indianapolis Museum of Art they told him no to his plan. It had never been done before and they didn’t do anything like that. Determined to have his way he asked him to at least look at his idea. He than contacted one of the IMA curators and after looking at his work she said, “I’ll see what I can do.” The painting had to be approved by all 5 curators at the IMA in order to even be inside the building. Within the next hour she had replied “Sure, no problem.” Each curator had forwarded their approval!

Wednesday he went to ask my parents for their approval. He told them he had a painting accepted into the IMA but he needed Dad’s approval before it could be hung. He showed them a photo of his painting. I think they were quite surprised!

Friday came around and Joe had told me earlier in the week he wanted to go on a date because we had not seen each other very much the past two weeks due to our work schedules. He told me there was an independent film festival going on at the IMA and he would really like to go.

After work, we made our way up to the IMA. Joe really wanted to bring his camera with him but the people at the front desk made him check it into the lockers. I noticed him getting a little uncomfortable and upset that he couldn’t take his camera with him, but I was still oblivious. His main concern was that the ring was in the bag. He managed to get it out and sneak it into his pocket right in front of me.

As we rode the escalator to the second floor he had told me the theater was on the right. I’m looking for it and realize, “There’s no theater over there!” As I turn back toward the galleries, there it was. His painting had been on display since Thursday. He got down on his knee and I said, “Yes!”

There was a Jazz band playing in the galleries and they escorted us to a table front and center with high back chairs and brought us a bottle of wine. I was completely overwhelmed and surprised the whole evening. He had managed to do all of this and I never had a clue. After a little while we were taken downstairs for dinner at Wolfgang Pucks.

The whole evening was amazing for me and a great honor for Joe. These pictures hardly give his painting justice. I wish everyone could have been there. It was perfect.

Jennifer and Nathan's Engagement Story

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone Here's today engagement story....

In high school seven years ago I registered to take a photography class and had to learn how to use a manual camera the summer before school began. So, Nathan and I spent the summer learning how to take light readings and how to focus the camera. We loved taking pictures together and the following December Nathan asked for a similar camera for Christmas. We went to a local park after a heavy snow to take more pictures with his new camera. We got some great shots that day and made wonderful memories as well. So, this past December it was no surprise that he wanted to go take pictures at the same park after a freshly fallen snow. I am still a student so time alone together is something we always love to do. We wore our boots and warm coats and marched through the snow stopping to take pictures of the scenery and each other. Then, we came upon a creek that ran through the park. I noticed some ducks and walked closer to the creek bed to get a better view. Nathan said, “This will make a great picture. I want to take a shot of you from the front and then you can turn around and I’ll get a picture of your back and you looking out into the water.” It sounded like a cool picture, so he took the picture of me from the front and then I turned around. He took the picture of my back and then said, “I have an early Christmas present for you!” I turned around to see him down on one knee in the snow holding the engagement ring in the box. “Will you marry me?,” he asked. I was completely shocked and surprised and don’t even remember answering yes. We walked around for about an hour afterward talking and laughing. Then we went out to his car to call our family. We went home to meet friends and family for a champagne toast to start off the celebration! And then after seven years together we started planning our wedding and our future together!

Jill and Kevin's Engagement Story

It was Memorial Day 2006. Kevin and I had only been dating for 5 months. Needless to say, I was not expecting a proposal. I had just been asked at a Indy 500 race party a few days earlier by some of our neighbors when I thought we would get engaged. I said, "I think he will propose around the holidays, either Thanksgiving or Christmas." Little did I know that the neighbors were hiding the ring for Kevin. He had given it to them and told them some specific instructions. He said, "Don't give me the ring if I've been drinking or if it is after 10:00 at night when I ask for it." Kevin has a history of spoiling his own surprises, so he didn't want to ruin his own plan for proposing. He even tried getting it from them two different nights, but they shut the door in his face and said, "Sorry, it's after 10:00 at night!" Then came Memorial Day. I actually set the surprise up perfect for him, unknowingly. Kevin had to work most of the day. So, I took it upon myself to invite all of our closest friends and family over for a pool party. It was a beautiful sunny day. Kevin came home around 5 PM. He immediately said, "Let's go take the jet skis for a ride." I argued with him. I had been out on them already that day, and I didn't want to hog them. Plus, I was on call for emergency surgery, and I knew it would be bad if I got called in while in the middle of the reservoir. I insisted that he go out riding with one of his friends. He wouldn't let it drop, so finally I gave in. While we were riding around on the middle of Geist reservoir, he said that he was having trouble with his jet ski and motioned to pull up next to a little island to check it out. Somehow, he even made the jet ski smoke, so I never thought any differently. Once we were idling next to the island, he got off his jet ski and started reaching down. I didn't think anything of this because I assumed he was reaching under the jet ski to see if something was caught. He started giving me ''the speech,'' but I still thought nothing of it because it was not uncommon for Kevin to tell me how much he loved me at any given moment. Finally, the light went off, and I realized he was down on one knee on the side of the jet ski with a small box in his hand. I was completely shocked and speechless. So much so, that Kevin finally had to say, ''So, what's your answer?'' I shouted, ''Yes!'' It was the happiest moment of my life. We drove our jet skis back to the dock and several of our friends and family were awaiting our arrival with cameras and a video camera. Kevin had told them just minutes before he asked me to go for a ride. We celebrated into the night and still joke about what would have happened if he had dropped the ring into the water...

Randi and Whitney's Engagement Story

Here it is with all the details that make it us: (it's kind of long)
The weekend before Christmas my fiancé Whitney and I were finishing up our Christmas shopping and happened to be over by Jared the jewelry store. I had picked out several rings months before and he had a good clue that the one at Jared was my dream ring! He insisted on going into the store for a 3rd time. While we were in there, he asked me to make sure there was not another ring I wanted to look at and that the few I had selected were it. We were in the store and I wandered off while he was talking to the salesperson and while I was doing this Whitney was putting a deposit on my ring. I HAD NO CLUE. We left and then carried on with our day.
Monday rolled around and when we both returned from work he wanted to open Christmas presents 5 days early and I thought this was going to be it! I was super excited and we opened presents and I acted calm, but nothing happened. I was so disappointed but did not want him to know that. I sat there and was not acting like myself so he knew I was mad. We proceeded to get into a lengthy argument that continued on into the morning. As we drove to work I still was very angry and continued to let him know. I am a teacher so the entire day at school I put my student's through a very rough day. I was even emailing and calling my mom and complaining about him.
Since Whitney had done a rather nice job of acting for 4 days he decided to go back to Jared Tuesday and purchase the ring. He knew the fight was going entirely too far and was getting worried. He also emailed me and asked me to dinner Thursday night to our favorite restaurant to start to get on my good side. I was so mad that he kept telling me he was saving money for a ring that I refused to go to dinner. He begged!! He also had another task; asking my parents. He was in contact with my mom and dad all day Tuesday. So while I was complaining about him to my mom, he was asking my parents to marry me! My mom told me when I called she had to mute me because she was laughing so hard!
Finally, Thursday came around and Whitney finally convinced me to go to dinner. Whitney made dinner reservations at Mitchell's Fish Market in Carmel for 7. The timing was extremely important because I had been telling him all week long how much it would mean to me if we could go home to our families for the holiday and announce that we were getting married. While at dinner we had a nice time. The conversation was a bit awkward because I was still upset. After dinner we were walking through the parking lot and he made a comment on how romantic the music was and of course I ignored his comment as I had no idea of what was to come. We got in the car and drove through downtown Carmel. Whitney pulled into a plaza all lit up with Christmas lights and parked the car. He took a cloth and covered my eyes and walked me through the plaza. We eventually stopped and Whitney told me to wait one minute. Then when I opened my eyes, we were in a beautiful gazebo with a huge Christmas tree and lights all around us and Whitney was down on one knee. He had the ring box open and I immediately started to cry. He asked me to marry him and I jumped around and said YES!! It took me five minutes or so to put the ring on!! W stood outside in the freezing cold and talked all about it. I didn't care about anything else at the moment but how shocked I was!!
No one knew but our parents. I kept the secret from everyone else for 4 days until Christmas Eve...it was extremely hard as I am very close with my family. At the dinner table I told my family we had a surprise and that we were getting married!! Everyone screamed and my grandmother and grandfather were both crying!

We are getting married April 18, 2009:)

Jessica & Josh Engagement

The love affair started while I was bartending at the local watering hole, and Josh, was becoming a new watering hole regular. After what seemed like eons of flirting, Josh finally got the nerve to ask Union Jack’s best drink mixologist out for a date, me. Little did I know due to our ridiculously hectic schedule, our first date would be a long time coming. I knew Josh was the guy for me when he said those three little words… I love you, first. We dated for 6 years.
Fast forward to November 6th, 2008, the first “Happiest Day of My Life”. My sister Julie, her husband Evan, Josh and I planned our very first trip the NYC, that’s right New York City!! We were so excited to vacation with each other because Jules and Evan live in L.A. and Josh and I live here in Indy. Josh and I got off the plane in NYC on Tuesday, a few hours before Julie and Evan were due in from L.A. The city was cold and windy, but we didn’t seem to notice because the sun was shining and we were exploring a fast, fun, loud and surprisingly romantic city. I was so excited just to be there. We found a great Scottish pub and enjoyed some adult beverages with the locals. This turned out to be a nice relaxing way to start our trip. We later met up with Jules and her better half to check out the awe- inspiring sites and try one of the things New York is famous for, PIZZA.
After we were full of adult beverages and slices, Josh suggested heading over to the Empire State Building. We all agreed to see the city glistening like a diamond. Now remember, its November, its cold and its crazy windy, especially a bajillion stories up from the street. After running around the observation deck like kids in a candy store, Josh and I huddled in a corner admiring Times Square. Julie asked me for my camera, I handed it to her and when I turned back around, Josh was down on bended knee. I asked (like a crazy person) what he was doing, thinking maybe he was having a back spasm. Nope, he was just proposing. Awwww…
I think every little girl dreams of her engagement and wedding, plans it out, acts it out, but when that moment comes, the really beautiful part is that it still knocks you off your feet. In slow motion, I can still see his face and hear his voice say “There is so much I want to say right now, but can’t, so will you marry me?” I still see him on bended knee and hear the words even though I am just watching him sleep. Back on the observation deck, I was in such shock; Evan had to ask what I was going to say! I could not help to scream “yes” for all of New York and the rest of the Eastern Seaboard to hear. Then the paparazzi started a.k.a Julie and Evan. On a dark, cold, windy night the cameras lite up our little corner of deck like Times Square. Josh swept me up in his arms and kissed me long and lovingly and as the first time as my fiancé.

Rebecca's and Clint's Engagement Story

My fiancé is very romantic, so I knew our engagement would be romantic, too! Unfortunately, we live in different states right now (I live in Indiana he lives in Ohio), so we only get to see each other on the weekends. The night of our engagement, I was supposed to drive with his sister out to a Christmas party in Ohio, and we were going to meet at the party. I wanted to surprise him, so I told him I had too much to do and did not think I would be able to make it, although I was still planning on going to the party. Little did I know, I was the one who would actually receive the surprise of my life that day! I had spoken to Clint (my fiancé) the morning of December 22 (our special day) to tell him I would not be able to make it to the party. He seemed a little upset, but we knew we would see each other the next day (at another family party), so he just chatted like normal with me. He told me he was still in Columbus, Ohio finishing up his Christmas shopping. I believed him, because he kept going on and on about how he could not find a store he was looking for. Little did I know, he had come back to Indiana the previous night to pick up my ring and to stay at his parents house until the next day. That afternoon, my mom's best friend called and asked if I could help her with a Christmas present that she said was very heavy. She has been battling cancer for about a year now and gets very weak with chemo treatments. Her husband was at work, so I happily obliged. While I sat and talked to her for awhile, Clint drove to my house to spread dozens of roses and rose petals all over the entrance of my house. Ironically, I gushed for most of the time about how happy I am with Clint! As I left, my mom's friend had me take the heavy present for my parents, it was actually a case of champagne my dad had wrapped and brought to her house the previous day for after the engagement! When I returned home from what I thought was an ordinary trip, I was greeted by dozens of red roses and Clint standing under the mistletoe! I was so shocked by why he was standing there, I couldn't move! As he walked towards me and professed his love for me, my mom and dad were there, taking pictures of the entire engagement! I had told him that I wanted my parents to be included. Everything was perfect! He had asked my dad, my mom, and even my brother for permission to marry me the week before and picked out the most gorgeous engagement ring I've ever seen! He even got down on one knee! I love him more than anything, and I'm so happy to be spending the rest of my life with him!

He Said / She said

This is cute his side of the story is first, then her side...Enjoy

Alex's story

For our one year anniversary, I had a big plan of things to do. All of them revolving around our first date. She had no idea what was going on for that weekend, she only knew that we were going to be here in Indy. She asked that I had a bottle of champagne for some point during the night because it was our anniversary. The proposal night started with me driving her to dinner, where I revealed to her the plans for the rest of the evening. Our one year anniversary would actually be our ‘perfect’ first date. On our first date, we went to Cheeseburger in Paradise on Southport and enjoyed a great meal of burgers and margaritas. After dinner for our first date, we had planned on going to Christmas at the Zoo. Problem is that we spent 3 hours at Cheeseburger and the zoo was closing right as we got there. So for our anniversary, we actually went to dinner early enough that we had time to relax and chat as well as go to the zoo. So, Christmas at the Zoo was the next stop where we walked around and went to the dolphin show, which was the first one she’d seen since she was a little girl. On our first date because the zoo was closed, we went to the circle and got Starbucks cause it was so cold. So we did that as well for our anniversary. As we were leaving downtown, I told her that was the night and that I had nothing else planned for the evening. Afterwards, we headed back to our apartment.

Shortly after we get home, I call her into our office and have her go look at this website. The website is ForMyLobster.com. As she reads through the site, he pulls out his prepared speech (so he didn’t forget anything) and puts the ring box in his pocket. After she reads the home page of the site, which tells the story of their history, it says, “After she finishes reading the story of their amazing love together, she turns around… To be continued”. She turns around and I read the prepared speech, which centered around our song “Love Song” by 311. Shortly after she started tearing up from the cute story, I will admit, I started to cry tears of happiness as well. It made it hard to get through the speech, but she says it was one of her favorite parts of the proposal. At the end of the speech, I got down on one knee and asked her to make the me happiest man in the world, asked for her hand and heart for the rest of our lives, and asked “Will you marry me?”. Of course, she said yes. The last surprise of the evening was the bottle of champagne that she had requested prior to the anniversary.

Amanda's story

It was the weekend of our first anniversary as a couple. I had no idea what to expect. I kept trying and trying to get information out of Alex but he wouldn't budge. The only thing we would tell me was that we were going vine hunting. He would often tell me ridiculous things like that were going to chase wolves or something just so I would have no idea what was going on. Our actual anniversary was on Sunday but we decided to celebrate on Saturday. That morning we woke up and I took Alex to breakfast at Patachou on the Park downtown. They have the most amazing waffles and hot chocolate!! After that, Alex took over for the day. He wouldn't tell me where we were going and just started driving. Once we got on 74 East and started heading away from Indy, I kind of started to get an idea of where we were going. Alex and I both love wine. We love going to different wineries and doing tastings so I realized that he was taking me to Buck Creek Winery. We get there, get out of the car, he leads me over to their vines, crouches down and says, "Ssssssh we have to be quiet. We don't want to scare them. We have to hunt the vines." After a couple minutes of laughing we went inside to look around. We were there for a while and I am pretty sure we tasted every wine they had. We even bought 6 or 7 bottles. After we left Buck Creek, we headed downtown to Easley Winery. At Easley, we took a tour of the winery, tasted some more wine, and bought a couple more bottles. Our wine rack is full for a while!We went home to drop off all the wine that we bought and we decided to get some food. Alex took me Cheeseburger in Paradise and revealed his big plan for our anniversary which was to take me on our first date again but this time he wanted it to be the "perfect" first date. (Little did he know that I already thought our first date was perfect.) So let me explain, on our first date our plans were to go out to dinner and then go to Christmas at the Zoo (I love the zoo!). We definitely attempted this but we spent so much time at dinner talking that by the time we made it to the zoo it was closed already. Since it was closed, he took me to the circle to see the lights. We walked around and he bought me one of my favorite things, a caramel macchiato. I couldn't have asked for a better first date. Alex thought this date was great also but he really wanted to take me to the zoo that night. So that is where our anniversary comes in and him wanting to give me the perfect first date.He took me to Cheeseburger in Paradise and we sat in the same booth as we did on our first date. We talked and talked and enjoyed each other's company as we did that night. After dinner, we headed to the zoo and this time they were OPEN!!!! We walked around looking at the lights and the animals. We decided to go watch the dolphin show which I haven't seen since I was little. I kept trying to talk Alex into letting us take home a dolphin and a penguin. We took lots of pictures. My favorite was one in front of a giant lit up lobster because that is what Alex and I are. If you are wondering where we came up with that, it actually came from the television show Friends. There is one episode where Pheobe talks about how Ross and Rachel are lobsters because lobsters mate for life and walk around holding claws. One of my friends just looked at us one day and told us we were lobsters and it just kind of stuck.After the zoo, Alex took me to the circle where he proceeded to buy me a caramel macchiato. We walked around the circle and Alex even pointed out the exact spot where he put his arm around me for the first time. And that was it. That was the end of our perfect first date and the end of our anniversary celebration (or so I thought).Alex drove us home and had gone into the bedroom to change into my pajamas when Alex called me into the office. He sat me down in his office chair and said he wanted to show me something. When I looked at the computer screen, I saw a website. Alex is a web developer and for our anniversary he had developed a website for us (http://www.formylobster.com/). He had me read it and it told the story of how he and I got together. It was the sweetest thing I had ever read. Towards the end it said, "After she finishes reading the story of their amazing love together, she turns around..." and that's what I did. I turned around and there was Alex standing in front of me with a piece of paper. He starting reading what he had written. It was amazing. It was about our song (Love Song by 311) and how it described how he felt about me perfectly. It was hard to keep from crying during this. I was tearing up and he was tearing up. Then, he got down on one knee. I think my heart stopped at that moment. He asked me to marry him and I barely got out the word yes before I had tackled him. We busted out the champagne and called our family. It was the best anniversary. Not only did Alex give me my perfect first date, but he gave me my perfect engagement and I get to spend the rest of my life with the love of my life!!

Elizabeth & David's Engagement Story

I love this story! It gives me goose bumps. Check out the bling bling ring too! How FUN

The old saying goes great minds think alike. David and I are both close to our families and have strong ties. Just as great minds think alike; history also repeats itself. Our story has a little bit of both.

David's parent's met on a blind date. Just as they did, David and I met as we like to say met on a blind date with technology, aka match.com. We corresponded at little bit through email and phone calls until we finally met. For both us it was love at first sight. We both quickly knew after meeting in person that we were meant for one another. We both like the same kind of music, love the Colts, and come from a farming background. In fact, the first time we talked on the phone I was at home studying for a test while David was in the field harvesting. The Colts were playing and I would call or text him updates throughout the night. Technology has played a big role in our relationship.

We had been dating for about nine months and David had decided it was time to pop the question, little to my knowing. He had told me he had to go to a chemical meeting. Instead, he drove 2 1/2 hours to meet my parents for dinner to ask them for their permission to marry me. Three days later he took me on a picnic in the small nearby town of Matthews. We sat overlooking the river by the covered bridge. It was beautiful. After dinner we went on a short walk closer by the bridge. There he found a landing and stopped to ask if I still wanted to marry him. I was shocked as he pulled the ring out his pocket and eventually was able to say "yes!" For me it was the perfect proposal.

We later learned on my parent's first date they had gone to a covered bridge. So not only do great minds think alike, history in a way does repeat itself. Which is lucky for us since both of our parents have been married over 30 years. We hope the close history keeps on repeating.

Ashley & James' Engagement Story

What a great story! Good thing us girls always over pack!

My fiancé James and I have been together for a little over two years. I am currently back in school for a second degree in nursing, so I am always very stressed out and very busy. He is amazing helping me relax and is always looking for new and creative ways to cheer me up. He likes to plan short, simple trips for us to take since we are such busy people, so when classes got out for the holiday break mid-December, James and I were supposed to go up to Chicago for a relaxing weekend to de-stress after all of my exams.
The night before we were to drive to Chicago, James told me to pack for a longer weekend, so I assumed that had meant he had gotten Monday off of work. I packed more clothes and went to bed. The next day we woke up, packed the car, and left to drive to Chicago, or so I thought. Shortly after we began our drive, I realized we were not heading north towards Chicago, but south. I began asking a million questions, probably driving him crazy, but he just kept smiling and told me to be patient. I was even more confused when we neared the Indianapolis Airport. When we got inside the airport, I kept asking him what was going on, but he told me to wait a minute. He then pulled me over with him in line, and handed me a ticket and my passport. We were going to Chicago, but not how I had thought...we were going to Europe!
He told me that all throughout our relationship, I always complained that he had been all over the world (his great grandparents were from Belgium) and I never had been anywhere. Over the summer he had asked my asked my parents to make sure I had a passport. He had planned everything and kept it a secret for 8 months, a hard task considering we had been living together for 10 months at the time, and I'm usually pretty on top of things like this!
We first flew to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Belgium. I spent most of the first day sleeping off the 8 hour jet lag and recovering from the shock of actually being in Europe. On the second day we were there, we bundled up in hats and scarves to brave the wintery weather outside. Packing for Chicago was a smart idea on his part, because the weather is pretty much identical. We walked down the cobblestone streets, bought fresh chocolate (a big thing there, vendors are everywhere), then had lunch and a carafe of wine at a small brassiere. During the middle of December I learned, Belgium has a two week long Christmas celebration, and I love Christmas, so James led us over to check out what was going on. There was a tall, giant Christmas tree and a bunch of small, holiday markets in the Gran Place (town square). I had my camera with me, and I started to take lots of photos of everything that was going on around me, the beautiful buildings, the trees, the people. As I was taking pictures, James tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around quickly, and there James was, standing there, shivering, holding up a ring. I think he said "Will you marry me?", but I wasn't really listening. I just said yes, grabbed him and kissed him. For the rest of the trip, I walked around with a huge grin plastered on my face. It was the perfect proposal and I will remember it for the rest of my life!

Engagement Story Contest

WOW! We never thought that our contest would be so popluar. Due to the amount of entries we have recieved we are extending the contest. The winner will now be announced on Feburary 21st. If we haven't posted your story yet please be patient I will now post a new story everyday. Just in case you forgot the winner will recieve a fabulous prize package consisting of: discount pricing off of any of our full-services packages, one night stay at the Crowne Plaza hotel, dinner for two at downtown resturant, horse-drawn carriage ride around downtown and a photo engagement session from On 3 Photography. Good luck to everyone !!!!

Sasha and Chris's Engagement Story

August 2005....I'm an east coast girl...raised in upstate New York...and had been living in Stamford,Connecticut for 10 years....had a great friend...who talked me into driving to her home state of Indiana with her (no wonder she didn't want to go alone....it's a 12 hour drive...UGG) Okay...fine...i'll go...was told it would be fun..it was "race weekend" (HUH?!?) I ended up being a great driving companion...once we hit the endless cornfields...I kept falling asleep....We arrive....meet her family...and i'm told "see ya at 5:45..A.M!!!" UMMM...For WHAT?? NASCAR....Indy 500....they tell me...(Okay..but why so early??)I am then filled in on qualification day traditions....9 before 9 (beers that is) Apparently people come from all over to see cars go in circles and drink. SO...I get up...sorta get ready(who cares-i'm in Indiana!) I go along...drink...watch cars go in circles(Okay..I admit..it's pretty cool!) We are sitting on turn 4...get introduced to a bunch of people. One guy caught my eye...we don't talk...I watch-he watches....he walks-we walk...I look-so does he-for HOURS!! Walking again...past him and his friends...one of them walks over to us,introduces himself,and says"my friend wants to talk to you" I laugh...out loud...(are we in high school??) I give him a wiseass comeback...."then why the f*** are you standing here and not him?" He says "your not from around here are you??" Nope...N.Y....when your friend wants to talk tell him to find me! 4th turn again....we do finally talk....sparks...or beer...but it was good whatever it was!! I give him my number..we part...(another friend in the background saying he was never going to see his hat again...it was on my head) He calls(AMAZING...not used to a nice guy!) Actually we talk....and talk....and fall in love before I finally see him again 2 months later. Our first REAL date was downtown,he really wanted to impress this "Connecticut" girl,so he took me to Scholars Inn. All I can say is AMAZING...the whole experience...he introduced me to a great city...and I introduced this indiana boy to seared tuna! I fell more in love with him..and the city of Indianapolis ever time I visited! I move to indy in April of 2006....I told everyone who thought I was crazy)that sometimes you just have to stop thinking and take the risk...and it was worth it! AUGUST 7,2007..I recieved a text one afternoon...he thought we needed a nice night out on the town...dress up...he made reservations at Scholars Inn (we hadn't been since our first date..kinda pricey!) YAY!! I was SO excited...a date night!! We are all dressed up...go out to the car..our neighbor "happens" to be outside with his camera...take some nice backyard pics...and head downtown! We have yet another amazing dinner (he couldn't wait to have that tuna again!) After dinner he suggests we walk down by the monument...get a drink...maybe take a carriage ride. It's a beautiful summer evening...we try...and try...and are told to go to a different pick-up location (TWICE) ..we sit on the monument steps...talk...people watch....and after almost an hour...he ditches the carriage idea!! He says "I'm tired of waiting...lets just walk around". I start up the steps...him behind me (just incase the sexy heels and martini's didn't mix) I got to the top and went over to the waterfall (I LOVE water-but there isn't much in Indy) I looked out at the city lights,which I think are just amazing...and said "This is beautiful, I feel like i'm on top of the city" His arms are around me,and he slowly turns me around..steps back...lifts up his hand(which is holding my ring) and asks me to marry him! YES YES YES.....squeal..jump up and down....laugh ...cry....hug...kiss....and yes....everyone is watching...and they all know I am the happiest girl in the city at that moment!! A nice couple took pictures for us,I called my parents(who already knew-DUH) I basically shared my excitement with ANYONE within hearing distance,for the rest of the night!! My next thought was WOW....how did he manage to keep that from me??? He was smooth...all night...I never even decteted a moment of nerves....which told me all I needed to know...he was absolutly sure without a doubt that we were meant to be!! We met on Aug 6th -the date my parents married 30+ years beforeWe were engaged on 7-7-07...and will be married on 8-8-08 Thank you for reading our story!

Ashley & Ross's Engagement Story

Not all engagements go as planned....just read Ashley's story

On Wednesday July 18th, I had decided to go eat at Scotty’s on the way home from work with a few of my team members. While we were waiting on our food and others to join, I received a text message from Ross. I opened my cell phone and saw the message, “I am proposing to Ashley on Saturday.” My mouth dropped, I did not move for what seemed like 10 minutes, and I showed the girls from work my phone. I wasn’t exactly sure how to feel. I was shocked, surprised, excited, and nervous all at once. Instead of calling Ross to question the text message, I called my mom. I ran outside so I could hear her and immediately explained the situation. Before I could even ask her for advice, she started laughing and said, “I’m on the other line with Ross, can I call you back.” (How dare she put me on hold at this point!! J) After their phone call, my mom called me back and explained that Ross was really upset and not exactly sure what to do. I asked her if I should pretend I never got the message and let him surprise me later. She explained that was not a great idea and that he would see right through it. Had I been in a sane frame of mind, I would have agreed. I decided not to call Ross since it would be awkward and put him on the spot. I went inside and by this time, my table mates had explained to our server what happened. She had been asking all the other female servers for advice on how I should handle the situation. It all became very public and I could not even see Ross which is all I really wanted. So, I ate about 2 bites of my food before ordering some food for Ross and deciding to leave. I called him to say I would be home in about 15 minutes and that we could just talk about things then.

Once I got home, Ross was sitting on the couch and watching TV. I sat down across from him and just smiled really big. He reached behind the couch and pulled out the ring and told me that he loved me and finally opened the ring. Obviously I said yes, and that was that.

Originally that text message had been intended for his sister, Alana, whose name falls next to mine in his phone book. And as for those “Saturday engagement” plans… Ross was supposed to be in Boston for work. I had a ticket to fly out to visit him for the weekend since he had the hotel already paid by the company, and it is a nice summer destination. Ross had planned to take me to my favorite east coast seafood restaurant that is right across the street from the ocean. After that he had intended to propose to me on the beach while having a string quartet playing.


This contest actually feels perfect for us – we missed our big romantic engagement evening and turning our engagement faux pas into a contest winning Valentines evening seems like a perfect ending to unique story. Good luck and congrats to everyone else entering.