Dave & Kate: July 2010

It was my birthday, and we were on our way to Albuquerque to celebrate with my best friend Morgan and her husband Michael. We arrived Friday and had a wonderful dinner at the base of San Dia Peak. We watched the sunset as a storm was rolling in.

I had hoped it would happen while we were there. With my best friend there to celebrate with us. But it seemed to me a logistical nightmare. Traveling out of state with a diamond ring in your pocket... not knowing the town you were going to... I didn't even think he had bought the ring yet. Goes to show you he had thrown me off, as well as everyone who had already known the week before.

Friday was not the night it was going to happen. I was exhausted from our trip, and we lost money at the blackjack table at the casino nearby. So we hit the hay and Saturday was a new day.

Saturday we woke up and went to Santa Fe. We stopped at this amazing antique store with all kinds of architectural pieces stocked in their building. Doors, arches, columns, all moorish/spanish/ancient looking. But sooo beautiful. David and I decided to come back, 5, 10, 15 years from now to snag some pieces for our dream house.

We then went towards the main square where we shopped around for a little bit and the stopped into a little bar for some beers and some World Cup watching. I remember when we were walking around, David's hands were so cold when I'd try to hold them. He just blamed it on bad circulation... despite it was 85 degrees that day.

After drinks we split up before going to lunch. David and Michael went to a nearby boot store, and Morgan and I went to look for jewelry at the sidewalk where all the Native American ladies were selling their items. I had been talking about wanting a small turqoise ring. I didn't find anything by the time we got down the line, and Morgan and I went to the hotel at the end of the row to cool off. At that point David had met up with us, and said he would buy me some turquoise jewelry and that we should go back and look some more.

At that point Morgan and Michael, already knowing what was going on, realized it was time to go get the car and leave us be. So David and I went back down the line looking at jewelry. I wasn't paying attention to him really, mainly just talking about what I did and didn't like about certain pieces. After about the 3rd time of getting up off my knees looking, I stood up and looked at David to say I was ready to go.

Then he said, "Well I found a jewelry store earlier next to the boot store, and I think I found something you might like." At this point I still don't know whats going on, I really think he went and got me a cute little turqoise ring. But then out of the corner of my eye, I don't see a chunky thick blue turqoise ring, I see a dainty little shiny thing in his hand. He got down on one knee in front of everyone in the square and proposed right there. It was the most amazing moment of our lives. I couldn't stop holding his face and kissing him. And all the little ladies were clapping and random people came up to us and said congratulations.