And that's the way we became the Brady Bunch (-3 boys and 1 girl)

I don't have much time, but I've got to get it down. I'm marrying the most romantic man on this planet!

First he surprises me at work to take me to lunch - too bad I was already hanging out at the mall since my car was being serviced. He caught up with me though, and we had a lovely food courtship. Back at the office, I saw the roses and balloon he brought me with the gift bag that included a few chocolates and an adorable special edition Grease CD with a cute leather jacket around it.

I have to tell you that all day long I hoped and prayed that I would get the ring but was pretty much convinced it wasn't happening. I even talked about it with my boss's secretary that I would be completely surprised if it did happen.

So I kept trying to guess where we were going for dinner, but I would never have guessed Cafe Bella Sera, since I'd never heard of it. But it was romantic, the food was delicious and we owe tremendous thanks to Pete and his staff for pulling this off without a hitch.

He had a big bag this time, when met at his house, but I wasn't allowed to look in it until after dinner. Finally, I read the beautiful 2nd card of the day that talked about how we were "meant to be." It was a heavy bag, so I knew it wasn't the ring. Inside was a digital photo frame...funny part is I'd been shopping online to get him one for about a week before I gave up and went with a traditional engraved photo album. So this photo frame he gave me is awesome, but my heart sank a little.

We waited what seemed like forever for the waiter to bring the dessert tray before he gave up on holding it in and told me if the waiter shows up while he's in the restroom, just to order the tiramisu.

I should mention that he had said "no phones tonight" earlier. Well he heads to the bathroom and I start to text my cousins with "digital photo frame...no jewels" and before I could hit send, he's running back to me yelling "I said no phones." I quickly shut the phone as the waiter is behind him with dessert.

The waiter places the dessert on the table and I was so excited to see it and exclaimed "you pre-ordered dessert?!" It took me about 20 seconds before I saw the most incredibly perfect engagement ring sitting around a cinnamon stick on the top of the cake. OH MY G-D!!!! I screamed it over and over as the other patrons stared.

He took out a poem he'd written, then got down on one knee to read it, about how he'd known from the start, how in love he is with me, how he wants to make a family with he and I, the girls and even Scrappy Doo! It ended with "will you marry me?" and I screamed yes and the room applauded, and the waiters were taking photos with his camera (that he'd left earlier with the ring). Then the hostess had to remind him to put the ring on my finger.

My cheeks were hurting by the time we came home, but there was more. While I text messaged away downstairs, he'd prepared the bedroom with rose petals on the bed, candlelight, more flowers, a big gigantic balloon, and set up my digital photo frame that was stocked with my and his pictures from the past year, and it played songs - Crazy for you (which I sang on his karaoke at home), Open Arms, Danny's Song (which I'd sang at Crabby's for him) and Regina Spektor's Fidelity which I haven't been able to stop singing lately.

I'm soooooooo happy, and can't wait to show the world and can't wait to start our life together. Sigh, I'm such a girl.

They're here, they're here!!!

The woman on the phone told me that my books would be released March 1 and I should receive them within a week from there. Well, they showed up yesterday, just a few days after I placed the order!

I got one free Chicken Soup for writing it (with lovely stick-on label of autographs for the main contributers - Jack Canfield and the gang). Then, with my discount, I ordered 10 more to give out. Yep, pretty much just spent what I earned for my story in there. With my discount, and after shipping, basically I pay the same thing you would on Amazon. I think I saved a dollar.

And like the superstar I think I am, I autographed the copy I gave my daughter. She told me she was choked up when she read the inscription - later I learned she wasn't able to read my handwriting for all the words. Pretty funny.

Scroll down to the post below this to see my little ad for Chicken Soup for the Soul - Celebrating Mothers and Daughters (and to click through straight to the page on Amazon that sells the book).

For Rachel,

My greatest inspiration, my love and my life.

All my love,
Mommy