Okay, here is the story of how Karen and Tom got engaged. It is told from Karen's perspective, but comments of what Tom was thinking are there too.

Tom was supposed to be in Kentucky for business. This is not odd, as Tom has gone down there for day trips before. Around 10, I get some flowers at my work. The card said:

“Hi! I just wanted to make today special for you. Especially since this week sorta marks the beginning of our relationship. I also have another surprise for you! To get it, WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING FOR THE DAY (4pm, right?), you need to talk to the security guard downstairs “Florencio” (or the guard at the station downstairs). Don’t do it until you leave for the day, and bring your flowers. Have a good day!”

I started text messaging Tom asking what my surprise was and threatening to go see Florencio during my lunch break. I called Tom during my lunch break and thanked him for the pretty flowers (I’ve never received flowers at my work before). He was driving in the rental car to his meeting.

I honestly thought that Florencio was going to hand me something nice, like a pair of earrings or something. The woman in the cubical next to me said, “Oh, he’s down there.” She was convinced that he would be waiting for me when I got off work. I told her, “well, if he is, then he’s a very good liar.”

After work, the security guard, Florencio, spotted me and asked, "Are you Karen?” I said yes and he said (with a big smile on his face and pointing to the front door), "There's a limo for you out front to take you to your car!". At this point I was in shock and thought to myself, “the guard must mean the train station. My car is in New Lenox! (an hour away)”. I had the strangest feeling walking out to the limo. The driver saw me and opened the door. I expected to see Tom inside, but he wasn’t there. Just a bag of Cheetos and a bottle of Bailey’s sitting on the seat (staple food for Tom and I).

The driver confirmed that he was going to drive me to my car in New Lenox, about an hour drive away from Chicago. The limo driver handed me a handwritten note from Tom that said:

“Hi again Cutie!

How’s this for a surprise? Sorry that last week my limo couldn’t pick you up, it was all tied up. But I couldn’t let you take the train home with those flowers in your hands… Besides, Jack Jr had some coupons for this limo company that made the price really good. I can’t wait to see you when I get back! Love, Tom.

P.S. Enjoy your ride home!”

I called Tom on his cell phone (my thumb was shaking as I dialed the number). While I was talking w/ him, the passenger side door opens and Tom gets in (there was no business trip!). (Now Tom was waiting in the building across the street, holding his cell phone and speaking to it saying “Call me Karen! I know you are going to, so call NOW!” At that point the phone rang and it was her!). At this point, my head is spinning faster and I don’t know what to think. Tom pours us some Bailey’s and hands me a box. "It's not a ring", he said.

"This is the one year anniversary of when we starting talking and I wanted to do something special". In the box was a cute pair of earrings. I thought, “Oh, this is so SWEET! I know that this isn’t for a wedding proposal (especially since he gave me earrings), but what a wonderful day this is turning out to be!”.

Another reason I thought today wouldn’t be ‘the day’ was because I felt Tom’s arm. When Tom is nervous, his arm gets slightly sweaty. His arm was completely dry, which meant he wasn’t nervous.

The Limo driver asked if we would like to get pictures taken for the limo company website. We said sure and the limo stopped around the Planetarium. We got out and the Limo driver was taking pictures of us, but not the Limo. The limo driver said, “Oh, are those the earrings he gave you, let me get a picture of them”. Tom said, “you can’t really see them sparkle, how about this?” Before I knew it, Tom had a ring in his hand and was asking me to marry him! Of course, I accepted (through a few tears and after I got my voice back). The Limo drive drove off to leave give us some time together. Tom and I walked around the planetarium. After the limo came back, we got out some juggling stuff (Tom thought of everything) and we passed a bit. It was a beautiful day.

Then we got back in the limo and discussed dinner plans. We decided to go to Joe’s Crab Shack since we enjoy going there. The limo driver drove to Burnham Harbor and stopped. Tom was on the phone w/ his sister so I told the limo driver how to get to Joe’s Crab Shack. He said he knew the area I was talking about but he did not make a move to leave the area we were parked at. I thought the limo driver wanted to double check w/ Tom before he drove off. (After Karen was done talking to the limo driver and turned around, the limo driver looked at Tom in the rear view mirror and grinned. He had other plans already.)

After Tom got off the phone, the limo driver suggested we take a walk. I called my friend Valerie to tell her the news. Tom said he wanted to talk with her. Tom told Valerie (within my earshot); “Karen thinks we’re having dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack but I already set us up for dinner. Karen doesn’t know it but I booked a yacht for two hours where we’ll be having dinner. It will be just the two of us, the captain, the cook, and a server.”

Again, I was floored. I kept shaking my head in disbelief. WOW!!!

We boarded the yacht at 6:30pm. Our server, Jennifer, gave each of us a drink. Dinner was delicious. The salad had mangoes and nuts in it (Yummy!), and then dinner consisted of salmon, a baked tomato, asparagus and artichoke hearts. Dessert was a chocolate flour-less cake w/ chocolate moose and raspberry topping.

The weather was beautiful. The yacht toured all around Lake Michigan going around Navy Pier and just north of Oak Street Beach. Tom and I traveled from the hull to the top of the yacht, just enjoying the view and each other’s company. It sprinkled a bit at the end, but it was still such beautiful weather!!

On the way home, I called the radio show Tom and I listen to on Friday nights (Love Notes on Windy 100FM). The producer answered the phone and put me right through to the DJ when I told her I just got engaged. The DJ took my call and I told my story. They played it at 10:30pm on the radio.

On the way back to my car we stopped by Tom’s parents house where we told them the news. (Of course they were thrilled!) After that, around 10pm, the limo dropped me off at my car, as Tom’s letter said it would.  I would say that it took me a good four days to process everything that happened that day.