Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’ would be an appropriate song for this year’s Christmas. Snowfall at my house started early in the morning and got substantially heavier throughout the day. So, my family thought it would be a good idea for me to open my gifts and hit the road before dinner began. Once I was ready to leave, my dad carried my bags out to the car and I was on my way.

As I carefully started my snowy trek, I realized it was going to be a longer and more dangerous drive to the beach than on Fourth of July weekend. I finally made it to Route 78 (about 2 miles from my house) traveling at a whopping speed of 25 mph. Even Route 78 had yet to be plowed.

Pete received numerous travel advisory reports from my slow excursion. I also made several phone calls to my friends to see if I should continue with my trip realizing that it could be a perfect opportunity to potentially propose. After about 45 exasperating minutes, I made it to Bridgewater Commons Mall (now I was a mere 6 miles from home). Determined to make it to South Jersey, yet discouraged by my slow progress thus far, I pulled over in the empty Bloomingdales parking lot, debated my course of action, and reluctantly decided to head home.

Once I finally returned my house, my family was very surprised that I returned. I was definitely a bit upset about the snow and made several references to Bing Crosby’s $%$#^ ‘White Christmas’. In order to cool out, I decided to take a walk with the dog and enjoy some Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Then, about an hour later, my Christmas wish finally came true. The snow subsided! I grabbed my car keys and headed on my way once again. I got to Route 78 and sure enough the roads had been cleared. Now I was moving at a normal speed while singing the lyrics “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas” and “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”.

I finally arrived at the beach at about 11:30pm. Once I went inside, I was amazed with the beautiful decorations Pete set up when he arrived. There were several strings of lights, candles and a tree decorated with the ornaments I gave him every year since we started dating. Once we started opening gifts, I grew very nervous. I thought that any wrapped gift, big or small, could be the one. I opened all the wrapped gifts, but still no ring. “Ok,” I thought, “maybe it’s in the stocking.”

The contents of the stocking we very unusual. I think that I am the only lucky girl to get a bottle of Pepsi, Swedish fish, Junior Mints, pork roll (don’t ask) and a t-shirt. This t-shirt was from a JEWERLY store. Not a ring from a jewelry store, but a t-shirt. Pete explained that he was looking at rings and wanted me to know that the search started by giving me a t-shirt. Thanks, Pete.

At this point, all my nerves were gone since it was to happen in the near future. At about midnight, just after I opened a gift from Pete’s Aunt Di, he got down on one knee, pulled a box out from somewhere and began telling me how much he loved me and had waited for this day for such a long time. At this point, I was overcome once again with my nervous excitement…it’s happening now!! He then opened the box, revealing a beautiful, sparkling diamond ring illuminated by a light built into the box which was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. When he asked me to marry him, I exclaimed “YES!!”, he slipped the ring on my finger, and I threw my arms around him!!

When asked about when we got engaged, we like to say we it was ‘Christmas in Indiana’ since it was a few minutes after midnight. I was very surprised and am excited to a very happy life together!!