The Story of Us
Neil and I met more that ten years ago. It was the spring semester of my junior year and Neil's sophomore year. We were in the same study band class. We both were taking up the trumpet for the first time. I don't think Neil uttered even 10 words to me that whole semester. He was so shy, but I didn't mind I was always happy to make it to class just to be able to see him.

To my surprise we would meet again that summer in band camp. Neil had learned enough to join the marching band and lucky for me the first formation we did had me standing directly in back of him everyday. Not only did we share band class but we also took the same math and physiology class. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know a new study buddy. So one day I slipped Neil a note in his math book. I don't remember what it said all I can remember is that it included my phone number. He did eventually call to compare answers in math one day and from that a friendship bloomed.

Our First Date
Neil asked me out on our first date while on a bus ride to one of our many band tournaments.

Our first official date was the Mira Mesa High School Homecoming Dance on October 19, 1991. It was a double date with Lynisa King and Tim Romero. We ate at the Poseidon Restaurant and strolled on the beach before the dancing the night away in the school gym

Officially a Couple
We officially became a couple on November 7, 1991. Neil asked me to be his girlfriend in my car across the street from his house on Thomas Hayes Lane at exactly 4:55pm.

Officially Engaged
We officially became engaged shortly after our 8-year anniversary on Saturday, November 27, 1999. It was the Saturday of the Thanksgiving Weekend. That day we spent at the mall with our sisters Aileen and Abigail. It was a normal day I insisted on looking at jewellery store windows while Neil avoided it as much as possible and I, in turn, got annoyed. I had all but given up on the idea that I would ever be proposed to, but little did I know that later that night I would be an engaged woman. Neil took me home that night and on our way home he asked me if there was anything that made me mad and I replied it annoyed me that he didn't even look at the rings or want to talk about marriage. So we arrive at my house and Neil offers to tuck me in before he left so I slipped into bed and tried to sleep, but I could feel his eyes piecing thru me. After about half an hour of staring he finally admitted that he had something to tell me, but he knew that if he told me I would not be able to sleep and I needed to get up in a couple of hours, but I insisted I needed to know just in case it wasn't good news. Then I looked in his eyes and I could sense the question coming on and I started to say no because I thought he was just asking because he knew it was what I wanted to hear. Then he presented me with a ring hanging from his necklace and that's when I knew it was real.