It was on a Tuesday (Oct. 11th 2011). I had got home from work from University Park Veterinary Hospital like any other day and opened up the door from our apartment. I was instantly caught off guard. My first steps into the building made me think I had entered the wrong home.I saw nothing but dozens of inflated balloons bouncing off the ceiling tied with a string on the end of them. I then saw James (Doug), press play on his ipod to play our song, which is "Love Song" by Adele. I then came to realize that each string hanging from the balloons had a note attached to it. The first balloon closest to the front door read, "I love you because..." Each note contained a reason why he loves me. It was a magical maze of reasons and inside jokes why our relationship is so amazing. Some I remember were "you're caring... (Oh I love my Millicent!)," which made me laugh a little, Millie is my dog. "You're smart." "You're funny." "You're beautiful." Going from balloon to balloon reading these little notes started to make me tear up. Especially hearing our song in the background. All this time, Doug is just watching me maze my way closer to him. The last balloon was the largest balloon and it was right next to Doug. It stated, "And most of all, I love you because you love me...
Chelsea Nicole Warrick, will you marry me?" When I read the last note there was no stopping the tears. Doug then proceeded to get on one knee. And there was only one thing left to do, and that was to say "YES!" I was so excited!. It was a Tuesday, and I had planned on coming home to finish laundry and fix dinner. We celebrated at Flattop Grill instead...one of our favorites! Having some help with this wedding would be amazing! Doug is currently finishing up his last semester of college to be a CPC (Certified Pastry Chef), working 1 job and 1 internship. We haven't even begun to plan anything knowing the finances are not available at this time in our lives.
Thank you for this opportunity,
Chelsea

I had always told my fiancee I wanted to be proposed to in a unique way. On Christmas morning when we had finished opening gifts, mine being a film camera, he told me I had another gift. However, I could not know or see it until I had taken all the pictures and developed the film. I spent the day taking pictures of family and friends. That night I called around until I found a place to develop the film, which proved to be very difficult on Christmas day. The very first picture was of him kneeling ring in hand in front of our Christmas tree. Behind his head was a sign that said "Will you marry me?" When I overcame my shock I looked over at him sitting beside me, and asked if that was really what it said. My fiancee then pulled the ring out of his pocket and said "Yes, Will you marry me?" I could not believe how personal it was and naturally loved it. I had always wanted that type of camera and this just made receiving it even more memorable.

“For better or worse, I will love you.” Ty has been my best friend for the past four years, and my boyrfriend for the past three. From the second time we hung out, I knew there was something special about him and we've been inseparable since. A few days before October 1, 2011, Ty asked me to go on a picnic with him, and I happily agreed. He drove us to the botanical gardens across from IUSB (that he had rented out for a couple hours!) and walked me through each room showing me the plants. When we arrived in the last room, I noticed he had set up a table with champagne and flowers near the small waterfalls. When we started our picnic, he asked me to reach into the picnic basket and get the muffins. When I did, I noticed a small box and asked him what was inside. By the time I unwrapped the ribbon and opened it, Ty was on one knee stating, "You are my best friend. Francesca, will you marry me?" Speechless and teary eyed, I said "Yes!" I am an English teacher and teach Romeo and Juliet so he engraved, "I Love Thee" on the inside of the band, a phrase he has written on notes to me in the past.

While traveling out of state over Christmas break to celebrate our engagement, we were hit by an SUV resulting in me breaking my pelvis, and multiple injuries for us both that have caused me to be bedridden these past two months. I begin therapy soon and will be walking without the wheelchair by June. As a result of the accident, we have been unable to work, I lost my apartment, and our dream of a wedding has been put on the back shelf. Through this time, the words, "I will love you in sickness and in health" have rang true as Ty has not left my side. He cares for me day and night without complaining and told me if I could never walk again, he would still marry me and take care of me until the day we die. I am blessed to have found my soulmate and have learned the true meaning of love, an invaluable gift that cannot be bought, "in good times and bad" and would love the opportunity to have a real wedding.