J planned a surprise date on our 16 month anniversary. Without telling me much, other then I should pack for an overnight trip and dress up a little more than jeans, we would be leaving at 3:45. –we cannot keep secrets, and this was the first one he ever kept from me!

We started the night at the Dock Café, with an amazing four course meal. Bruschetta, tomato soup/ Ceasar Salad, I had Salmon and J had Chicken Ziti we topped dinner off with sorbet. Washing it all down with a bottle of Chardonnay.

Then a single rose came…Along with a gentleman dressed in Renaissance wear, telling us our ride is ready…Gondola ride!!! We headed down to the St. Croix River and got into our very own Gondola. How romantic! About half way through the ride, as we were holding onto one another J said:

Baby I Love you
Thank you for being my teammate
My lover
My best friend
My Wife?…(HUH!?)

He turns to me, gets down on his knee and asks: “Jamie Marie, will you Marry me?"

I said “of Course!”

"So does that mean Yes”?

–“YES YES, it means Yes…Are you serious?” I asked

J replied: “Yes I am dead serious, I’ve never been more serious about anything else” and then I started to cry, and just hug him and kisses all over. We then watched the rest of the sunset…(J even checked the farmers almanac to double check what time it was to set on that day!!!)

To top it off J said he had one more surprise for me, (I was thinking what on Earth could it be!!??) As we were docking the boat, both my parents and his parents were walking down the dock, screaming and crying wondering if I said yes!!!

—He looked at me and said “I know how you wanted a long engagement, and how you really wanted our parents here, it’s all about you, and making you happy, I love you!” I replied” Baby I love you too, you are so good to me!!”

After some drinks and food with the parents J, yet again, said he had one more surprise!!—We ended up at his cabin and it was all dallied up, Candles, flowers, champagne, rose petals…Wow I’ve got a keeper!!!

We first meet in 2002, thanks to Amy (JJ's older sister). I meet Amy at a Saint Paul Winter Carnival event, where Amy mentioned that I would be a great fit for brother JJ, but nothing happened until a few weekends later. Amy, JJ and some friends were partying at the Moose Country in Lilydale, (I was working there at the time) Amy, took this opportunity to introduce us.

After about 6 months of dating, we decided to go our own way, (I was convinced it was meant to be, decided to let my bird go, and hope he would one day fly back to me).

One day, about five years later, I was curious, wondering what JJ was up to, so I looked his last name up on myspace...the only Menier that had an account...was AMY! She brought us back together. The rest is, as they say, History!!

It was meant to be!!