(Greg and Michelle, Engaged December 10, 2005)
Once upon a time there was a very beautiful maiden named Michelle, and she lived in a far away, extremely cold, land known as Elkhart, Indiana. One day, while surfing the Internet, she met a handsome young man named Greg from a wonderful football town known as Cincinnati, Ohio. On Monday February 28, 2005, after a few weeks of communication, Greg decided to meet this young maiden and drive 5 hours north for their first date. They had a wonderful time at Red lobster, as Greg squirted snow crab legs all over himself, and then went to an empty movie theater that doesn’t take credit cards! Once the beautiful maiden paid for the movie they enjoyed "Hitch" alone, since they were the only ones in the theater. Then it was time for Greg to head back south. Unfortunately, it was now starting to snow, but surely that would not be a problem. Five hours later Greg made it to Anderson, Indiana still alive!
He called Michelle to let her know that he made it safely, but she did not answer. It was not until later the next day that Greg found out that Michelle uses her phone as an alarm, and that when he called she got up and got ready for work at 2:30 am! Despite Greg’s obvious shortfalls on their first date, they decided to go on another date. On their second date they decided to meet in a place known as Indianapolis. Michelle suggested that they could go ice-skating! After exploring the ice rinks, they discovered that a youth hockey tournament had overtaken the city, and they were forced into the next best thing, Circle Center Mall! Once again things did not look good for Greg and his poor ideas, but Michelle did not seem to mind, and was even okay with trying a strange new food known only as a
Skyline Cheese Coney. Once they weren’t able to go ice-skating, Michelle explained that she still had never been able to use her ice skates. She also described how one day she would like to go to Chicago and ice skate at Christmas time, when everything is decorated. As time went by Michelle and Greg continued to travel 10 hours round trip every weekend to see each other. In June, Greg stumbled upon a great idea. He would take Michelle to Chicago during Christmas so that she could finally use her ice skates! So Greg bought a puzzle of the Chicago skyline (nothing to do with chili) and put it all together by himself in just two days so it would be ready for his next meeting with the fair maiden in the land of Elkhart. Then, starting with the most obvious pieces he took the puzzle apart and separated it into 8 separate bags. Starting on June 10, 2005, as a belated three-month anniversary present, Greg gave Michelle the first bag of the puzzle.
Michelle found this very interesting and thoughtful and really enjoyed the puzzle idea. As time went on Michelle began to speculate as to what the puzzle
might be of, since Greg had told her that he would take her there on a date once she had finished. Michelle began to guess things such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, Paris, Italy, and California. With each guess Greg would just chuckle and say, "We'll have to wait and see". But this made Greg very nervous that this could be a huge disappointment. Still he did not reveal the secret that was quickly starting to seem very lackluster. Time past and Michelle and Greg did many fun things together, such as water skiing, climbing giant sand dunes, and attending many sporting events! Michelle had her first expiriences with profesional tennis, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Cincinnati Bengals. In a summer adventure Greg drove 20 hours round trip in a single weekend to make a surprise visit to Michelle in Iowa and arrived in style with a dozen roses.
Slowly it became obvious that Greg and Michelle were meant to be together. Upon this revelation Michelle decided to move all the way to Northern Kentucky (where Greg now resides) to be with Greg all the time. Some say that it had more to do with the local ice cream, but Michelle maintains that she came for him. The months continued to pass, and Greg decided that it was time to have a little talk with Michelle’s father. The day after Thanksgiving, a blessing had been received, and the plan was in full motion.
On December 8, 2005 it snowed a lot (For Kentucky), and Michelle almost got stuck on her way to see Greg. Once she made it to see him he gave her a note and she became very nervous. Sensing that it could be important she repeatedly asked if she was really supposed to read it right there in the kitchen. Greg nonchalantly insisted that she should, and she began reading:
Michelle,
It’s about time for you to find out where we are, hopefully, going this weekend.
I hope that you aren’t disappointed that the destination isn’t very exotic, but it is just my first try at planning a trip. Back when I first thought of the idea, I thought that it would be fun because you could finally use your ice skates. I’m glad that you have them here; you’ll need to pack them. Also, my big plan was to reference the 10th of December a lot, and then surprise you on the 3rd. However, as it ends up, it had to be the 10th after all. Anyway, I hope that we can still go and have a good time. So without further rambling…are you ready to finish it? I love you,
Love,
Greg
When she had finished reading the note the final puzzle bag had been laid out, and Michelle was very surprised! She quickly started putting together the puzzle as Greg made dinner. It was Skyline night, but since they had just had that the night before, they settle for some Italian food. When she had finished, she saw that it was of Chicago. Greg told her that he wanted to take her ice-skating in Chicago at Christmas. Michelle was very excited to go.
The next day it was time to head out, but Michelle was nervous about the snow that fell the day before. She had drove in it the night before and it was not fun. Greg had yet to expirience the snow, as he had left his car at work and walked home. She thought that maybe they shouldn’t go to Chicago, but Greg was very persistant that they were going. So off they went.
Dec 10, 2005
Greg and Michelle had a lovely breakfast and rode a shuttle to downtown Chicago.
Greg seemed very nervous, but happy. Once they arrived at Navy Pier it was about 15 degrees with wind blowing off of the lake…not exactly Hawaii. Once they finished taking Pictures outside, they went in and did some window shopping along the way to the main area. Upon their arrival they found the inside decorated as a winter wonderland. They wandered for an hour looking at all of the rides, and toys, and trains; it was quite a scene. 
Then they decided to go ice-skating, Greg still appeared nervous. After the Zamboni cleared the ice they were ready to skate. Round and round they went, dodging falling skaters left and right. Finally when they were about ready to leave the ice Greg said they could go for a few more laps. Feeling very nervous he began to tell Michelle how he felt about her and it went something like this, “I once saw a quote that read ‘I saw a door marked YOU, I opened it and found the best part of myself’, as I’ve got to know you I think that quotes fits you perfectly, you make me better than I could ever be on my own. I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as I possibly can”. Then he pulled her away from all the other skaters to the middle of the ice, and with hundreds watching got down on one knee and pulled out…a Bengals stocking cap, which contained a box, which he opened revealing a beautiful engagement ring (though it paled in comparison to the beauty of the girl whose hand he was holding). He looked up at her and said, “I love you, will you marry me?” Michelle, of course, said yes, and with the ring on her finger and joyful tears in her eyes, they took a few more laps while the crowd cheered them on. But that is not the end, oh no not at all, this is just...
The Beginning…
