Joel's proposal was definitely unexpected! We went to a gathering at his cousins house to watch the Superbowl with my fav team, the Panthers and also celebrate his 35th birthday! With me being "Miss Organizer" I wanted to have everyone sing Happy Birthday and reveal his birthday cake at halftime. Joel said that he wanted to wait and I'm saying to myself "Why? It doesn't make any sense, let's just go ahead and do it during halftime!"

His sister Shandice started with the proposal of a toast to him expressing their special bond and letting him know that she loved him. I followed expressing my love and appreciation around trust, honesty, and respect and wishing him many more birthday's to come. Joel asked me to come and give him a hug so I did. His cousin Kyron followed with a toast to their bond as cousins and brothers.

Joel then began his speech of appreciation and love for me. He spoke about always having a strong woman by his side, keeping him focused, always loving him for him, and making him better. Even then I could not grasp what was about to happen until he said he wanted to give me something to solidify the bond that we have! He asked me to marry him and all I could do was cry with excitement and tears of joy! Yes, I get to married my best friend!