How We Met

In the summer of 1996, Talmar found herself on the west side of the vast expanse that is Phoenix.  She was out with some work people that she had never been out with before (and honestly, never went out with again).  They were at a bar called..... Barwinkles..."is walking distance from my house," Thomas said to Joe.  They decided to go and have a beer, or two.
Barwinkles was no ordinary bar.  It was a karaoke bar.  The extraordinary part was that there were no drunk renditions of "Summer Lovin". These people could REALLY sing. It was quite intimidating. It was so serious that if someone stood, everyone looked up expectantly, waiting for you to saunter up to the microphone. Imagine Talmar's dismay, every time she got up, she was going to the bathroom.
As Talmar sat drinking her Coor Light (yes, that is how much fun she was having - as you all know she is a dark beer drinker), a man from across the bar stood up.  Everyone looked.  It seemed at first that he would go toward the stage, but then he veered left and walked right next to Talmar and sat down.  As everyone watched this man walk up and sit down next to her, Talmar thought "I gotta here what THIS guy has to say!" They have been talking ever since then.
How "IT" Happened
July 3, 2000

The evening before July 4th was a slow day at Talmar's office. She called Thomas to say she would leave the office at about 5:30pm - would he like to go out to dinner?

Thomas:  I have to work.  Talmar: What time?  Thomas: At 11:00pm.  Talmar: Well, there is time before that!  Thomas:  But I have to meet Jon for coffee.  Talmar:  What time is that?  Thomas:  About an hour before.
     Talmar was getting the impression that Thomas did not want to have dinner with her.  So, she decided to let him off the hook.
Talmar:  It's OK.  Don't worry.  I can just go home and make the potato salad for               Mom's dinner tomorrow.
Thomas:  Well....let me make a call.  I'll call you right back.
Talmar:  Really honey, it's ok. We can do it another night.
     Thomas sounded a little frazzled, like he had a lot going on.
Thomas:   No, let me call you back.
      Thomas was planning a Fourth of July proposal under the fireworks.  He had to pick up the ring from the jeweler that night but it was not scheduled to be ready for another three hours.  He called to find out if he could pick it up right away so he could get back in tim for dinner with Talmar without tipping her off.  He called, They said they could have the ring ready.  Thomas called Talmar, who by now was not really sure SHE wants to have dinner with him after his cool conversation.  He said he could do dinner.  He needed to run an errand and then he would meet her at the house in an hour and a half.
    Thomas arrived at the jeweler and the ring was perfect. He drives down the road with one hand while admiring the ring with his other.  He calls his brother Jon. "Jon this ring looks too great. I think I an going to do it tonight."
     Thomas arrived home and greeted Talmar.  Both were in a good mood for no apparent reason. They decided to go to the MAcaroni Grill, an italian restaurant they liked to frequent.   Off they went.  There was a wait for the table so they sat at the bar.  Thomas suggested a glas of champagne for Talmar and ordered a Guiness for himself.  These were the favorite drinks.
   Talmar was very flirty that evening.  Thomas kept trying to offer hints. Talmar said "you are a freak." (Thomas and Talmar lingo for you are acting silly).   Thomas would try to prompt Talmar, "Do you wanna know WHY?'  Talmar said "No." thinking that Thomas would just say something in return.  This went on for awhile but Talmar would not bite.  SO thomas goes for the BIG hint.  "My hands are clammy."  Talmar grabbed his hand, completely missing the cue, and asked "Are you getting sick?  Do you feel OK?"  Thomas laughed. He said, "OK."   He reached into his pocket and from under the bar Talmar heard a "SNAP".  Instantly she knew the sound, it was a jewelry box closing.  Thomas, "I said nothing would be official until I had a ring so...." He reached over and slid the most beautiful emerald cut diamond ring on Talmar's left hand.  He never got to say anything else.
     Talmar was standing up and jumping around and kissing him.  She proceeded to announce to anyone that would listen (The bartender, waiter, hostess, wine steward) that they had just this minute gotten engaged!  Neither of them could tell you what the specials were that night.  Thomas ate a little of his dinner. Talmar took hers home.  She was too busy staring at the ring!
      They drove straight over to Talmar's parents.  Paul and Kathy were a little suspicious as Talmar and Thomas never came over as late as 9:30pm.  They came into the living room and with all four standing in the middle of the room, Talmar showed them the ring.  Everyone yelled and hugged.  Mom said, "You're getting married!".  Thomas said, "If that is OK with you Paul?" There was the briefest of pauses as Paul, surprised and pleased by the question, said "Of course!"