We met 11 years ago through mutual friends, August 3rd, 2003 to be exact. We still remember till this day the crazy fluttery feeling of butterflies that constantly tickled our bellies, and the way we kept smiling that made our cheeks hurt. We went to seperate High Schools, but most would say we were in seperable and found every way possible to see eachother. One day in Spanish class, Justin had the courage to ask our mutaul friend Emelene who I was, and our lovely farytale started from that day on... 

       December 22, 2012 was the day my family and I drove down to Disneyland after work. Prior to, I remember turning into my salon and my mind and body was instantly on vacation mode..literally watching the hours go by so slowly! Tick tock.. tick tock. I remember thinking to myself, "Can 3:00 hurry up already!!! I want to be in Disneyland already!!!" I rushed home and my family and Justin were all packed up just waiting for me to run in, grab my luggage and jump in the car for our Christmas adventure. The whole plan was to surprise my neice and godson for Christmas, and for us to spend our first Christmas in Disneyland. During our whole road trip there, we kept telling them that uncle and auntie needed help finding a new home down south and we needed their help! Oh the torture! I still remember till this day the look on my neices face when we told her we were really moving 6 hours away from them. Hours went by and we finally made it to our hotel around midnight. We woke up the kids and I still remember their reaction!! The hotel was decorated from head to toe in Disney characters! It was SOOOO beautiul and magical.

        The next morning, we woke up and headed to the park right when it opened. We split up from my family and the first thing we did was take pictures with every Christmas thing out there. LOL! We were quite excited. We decided to eat breakfast and the whole time I remember Justin not being all there. He was on his phone, constantly checking messages and he had to excuse himself from the table a few times. You can say I was a bit irittated. Talking to him when he came back was like talking to a wall. HAHA he was there but he wasn't listening to anything I would say. After breakfast, we walked a few steps and I remember being so angry I grabbed his shirt and said, "HEY! WE NEVER GET TO COME HERE DURING THE HOLIDAYS! DO NOT RUIN THIS VACATION!" HAHAHA. A bit mean, I know! But after that, it was back to normal, sorta ;D I remember him wanting to take pictures with all the characters, the ornament pieces, and everything and anything that was about Christmas. CRAZY! All of you that know Justin would already think that was suspicious, HE hates taking pictures right?? But I had to take advantage of it!! HAHA. I remember him telling me constantly, "Dont forget we have to get a family picture in front of the castle." 

        After many hours later, he told me to text my sister to meet up in New Orleans Square so we could all head to the castle for our family picture. I remember looking at him and he was soo pale! When my family finally arrived he excused himself and disappeared for a good 15 minutes. My sister began to worry and asked where I thought he was. I told her, "Well, we did have a big lunch!" hahaha. When he finally arrived we walked towards the castle, and I just kept thinking to myself how beautiful all the decorations were, and how the smell of gingerbread and candy canes sealed the deal! When it was our time for pictures, we took family portraits first, and couple pictures last. When it was our time to take pictures I remember the cast member giving off random cues to "kiss him" "kiss her" "hug her." The whole time it was happening Justin was whispering how much he loved me and how happy he was to be here with my family and I during this time of year.. I instantly told him I loved him and to be quite because the cast member was giving us cues!! After the last cue the cast member gave us, all I remembered hearing was.."And im ready to spend the rest of my life with you.." I instantly froze, looked towards him, and all I saw was the man that I love on his knee with a box and a beautiful ring!!! My heart was pounding, my hands and entire body kept shaking and I couldnt snap out of it! It was as if my whole life stopped right before my eyes, and everything was in slow motion... All that i heard was him.. I was so in shock and couldnt respond so I just nodded my head up and down, YES!!!!!!! I remember after nodding my head yes and all the tears rolling down my face, I instantly heard the crowd scream in excitment, and all the joyful emotions flowing back as if I was snapped back in time!!!! My fairytale, my happiness.. all took place infront of my family, and at the best place ever to be on the day before Christmas Eve! 

        The day was December 23rd 2012 in Anaheim California. Jessica and I were on a family trip at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland! This was a surprise trip for her niece and nephew, although Jessica had no idea that this little trip would change her life forever.

        As I woke up that morning I knew that this was the big day that would change two peoples lives. Just that thought made me feel happy and nervous at the same time. Our plans were to enter Disneyland together with her brother and sister as well as their kids. Jessica's sister and brother were also in on the plan of me proposing to Jessica. I told them that I would do it in the evening in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. And so we split up from the group and it is now just Jessica and I roaming the park and enjoying the holiday festivities.

        Jessica and thought it would be great to get some breakfast before we continued on with our day. We ended up at a sit down restaurant in Disneyland. The menu had a great selection of food which I usually go crazy for, but that day I really didn't feel like eating anything. I had no desire to eat, I had no appetite (funny because I am always hungry).

        So at the breakfast table I noticed that my phone was ringing and I saw that it was my sister Vanessa back home. I had to answer it because she was the only family member of mine that knew about this Disney proposal I was about to do. She called because she was so excited for me and as soon as I answered she said, "Did you do it yet!?" I laughed and said "No." This call went on for while away from Jessica and I figured Jessica was starting to wonder where I had gone. So I return to the table and ate what I could, then we went and had some Disney fun.

        As the day went on I became more and more anxious. I wanted to do it already, but the time wasn't right. Jessica noticed that I was acting a little strange and quiet. She also noticed that I wanted to take an awfully a lot of photos with her, which if you know me that I'm not a big fan of being in photos. There was also a time when she wanted to hold my back pack and I quickly snapped and said that I can hold it. Her ring was in my back pack and I didn't want it to leave my side.

        A few hours went by and the sun began to set. Jess and  I met back up with her brother, sister, and kids. I tell them that I needed to use the restroom and that I can walk there by-myself. I separate from the group with my back pack in hand, mentally preparing myself for what has yet to come. I get to the restroom with my heart racing, I get to the sink and splashed my face with cool water to calm my nerves. I reached into my back-pack and grab the ring, placed it in my pocket and quickly walked back to where I left the group. I met back up with the group and gave the look to her brother and sister that I was ready.

         It was now the perfect time but not place. I tell the group that now would be a great time to walk to Sleeping Beauty's castle and take some family pictures. We arrive at the castle and it was beautiful. The castle was lit up with sparkling christmas lights and hung were countless green christmas wreaths and garland. We jump in line to get our photo taken by one of the Disney Cast members. As we get closer to the front, we all agreed to take multiple photos. One photo would be the whole family together and the second would be just Jessica and I. We get to the front of the line and take our family photo. The next photo was going to be just Jessica and I. I approach the photographer Cast member and whisper to him that I need to take multiple shots because I am about to propose to my girl.

        We get our chance to take some photos, the photographer tells us to smile for picture one and picture two we look at each other. Before the photographer takes a third, I stopped and looked at Jessica in the eyes and start talking. She laughs and says "Stop talking the guy is trying take our photo." I laugh back and tell her to just listen, "We have been together for a long time, and we love each other. I want to be with you for the rest of my life." I take a deep breath and drop down to my knee, pull out the box and begin to open it. I look up and see her smiling in shock with the crowd cheering us on. She begins to cry and covers her mouth, it takes her a few seconds to realize that I am proposing to her. She says yes as she wipes her eyes from tears of joy. I take her hand and place the ring on her finger. She hugs me tight and begins to smile and cry some more, to the point that my sweater is getting soaked.

        I can truly say that proposing to Jessica was one of the best moments of my life. There is nothing that can compare to having the love of your life say "Yes" to you. I look forward to what comes ahead for her and I. Cant wait till the day I see her walk down the isle in her beautiful white dress, have her in front of me and say "I do!"

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