Everyone has been asking how we got engaged, so here's the story.

For those that didn't know, Maeve and I had gone to Washington DC b/c we wanted to do a road trip while we were still dating. I had told her beforehand that I would be taking her out on New Year's Eve and that she needed to bring a dress...and that's all she knew. We had reservations at 9pm at a five star restaurant in DC called Two Quail. It was very romantic and private and we had a great time.

At 10:45pm we left and drove to this really nice hotel right by the White House. In front was a horse drawn carriage that was waiting for us at 11pm. For the next hour we were huddled together under some warm blankets (it was very cold) while the carriage took us around all of DC's famous sites, The Capital building, the National Mall, Washington Monument, etc.

The original plan (which I had organized with the driver) was supposed to go like this: once we got to the White House Christmas Tree the driver was going to suggest that we get out and look around (or something like that) and then the actual deed would be done there...at midnight. That was the key b/c I wanted to do it at midnight on New Year’s Eve. HOWEVER, two things messed that up. One was the fact that it was freezing (actually below freezing) and Maeve had a dress on, not good for her. Two, the Christmas tree lights are turned off at 11pm every night, not good for me.

But we get out anyway and briskly walk to the dark tree in the distance. As we walk I notice other things that I didn't want in my proposal picture...things like a bulldozer from construction nearby and other people who also decided that they wanted to look at a dark Christmas tree at 11:52pm on New Year’s Eve. It was then that I decided to scrap the tree idea and just head back to the carriage and Maeve was all for that. Plus I don't think I could have made Maeve stay at a dark tree in the freezing cold for 8 more minutes.

Back at the carriage I start talking right away (so the driver won't say something stupid like "Congratulations!) and explain that we were freezing so we decided to come back after a minute so would you just mind driving us around until midnight so we could be in the carriage when the New Year hits? He gave me a big wink and said sure....ok that's a lie, he didn't wink but he did say sure.

One odd think about DC at New Years, they don't do fireworks or anything for that matter. So I had my cell phone on my lap so we could count down the minutes until midnight. At midnight we kissed and I told Maeve that I loved her and that she has made me so happy this pass year and that I hoped I could make her happy in 2008. Then I kissed her again and during that kiss I grabbed the ring (which was strategically placed the coat pocket away from Maeve) and said "I hope I can also make you happy for the rest of your life. Will you marry me?"

To which she immediately said "YES!!!"

And that's the story.