The two dated for a while and of course it was only natural that their relationship progress further.  Chris was very nervous for things had to be just perfect. He wanted to give Tara the best proposal and have it be remembered forever. For this reason Chris planned the proposal in every detail to make sure that it was indeed a special moment.

About two months before Chris planned to propose he ordered the ring.  Which was not easy to do since first he had to find out what kind of a ring Tara wanted and do so without Tara knowing when the ring was being purchased.  So he enlisted the aid of Tonia to help Tara go mock ring shopping. All the while hoping that Tara did not catch on that it was in fact Chris who had sent them ring shopping.  Now no one knows for sure if Tara ever found out, but were assuming that she probably knew.  Anyway, the ring was chosen and the information relayed back to Chris.  Armed with the knowledge of "The" ring Chris went and ordered it expecting it to take 6-8 weeks as the clerk at the store had told him. 

The ring arrived much to Chris' delight and shock after just 3 1/2 weeks. So of course he was delighted and planned to hide the ring for another 3 weeks until the weather was even nicer and it was after Tara's birthday.  As the couple had decided that they should wait until at least that time to get engaged. A day went past of Chris having the ring and he couldn't contain it anymore.  The proposal would have to be done much sooner than 3 weeks.  It would be done that weekend. 

Now Chris knew that he could not pull off the proposal on his own, so he had enlisted the help of his best friends Jeff and Heidi.  Naturally when the ring came in Chris had told them he had it and that he wanted to propose to Tara that weekend.  So Jeff and Heidi were surprised when a day later Chris called and said that he was moving up the proposal, to that night. 

Now one thing you have to understand any guy with a ring has to get rid of it right away.  To have an engagement ring in your pocket waiting for it to go on a special lady's finger is torture and credit has to be given to him for holding onto it for one whole night.  Anyway back to the story.  So after Heidi and Jeff got over their shock they arrived to help Chris out with the necessary arrangements that Chris wouldn't be able to himself.  I'll get to that part in a second.

Meanwhile Chris went into town purchasing the things he needed, then rushing home to quickly change and get ready.  All the while he kept fussing and his parents were probably having fun laughing as they knew all about it and watched him get everything ready at the house. Chris left and headed off to Tara's play which was before the proposal and would make an excellent way to hide the change of route.

The play was great and Chris did enjoy it, but his mind did wander a few times of what would happen after it was over.  At one point Chris started to fret worrying that maybe her parents had something planned for after the performance as a celebration.  Realizing his error Chris managed to get Tara's mom off by herself for a moment and proceeded to tell her about the proposal.  Tara's mom was shocked and delighted and promised to help make sure Tara had no idea and also to make sure Tara didn't try to head straight after the performance.

Once the play was over Chris and Tara's mom persuaded Tara to go for a car ride with Chris to celebrate an excellent performance.  Tara tried to say she was too tired and that her clothes were too dingy etc basically she was tired after the performance.  Anyway, Chris finally got her in the car where he presented her with the orchid flower he had purchased for her and the two set off towards their destination.  Now of course Tara noticed they were going out of town and immediately started asking questions, so Chris told her they were going to the locks to lock at the stars and relax.

When they got to the locks everything was quiet and no one was around.  Heidi and Jeff were just up the road up out of site of the couple waiting for them and as soon as the couple had arrived they headed home having done their part.  Chris led Tara across the bridge to the other side of the locks where Tara immediately noticed a candle burning just down by the water.  She made a comment about the luck of it not falling over and Chris just shrugged and agreed.  When they got closer Tara could see the full surprise.  Their was a picnic blanket laid out with two wine glasses, a candle, white grape juice, strawberries and chocolate sauce.  She look at Chris and I can't remember he exact words, but it was something like "Where did you come from?" 

So anyway, the two sat down and Chris told Tara she had done an excellent job on the performance. He fed her some strawberries and filled her wine glass with white grape juice. After a few minutes had gone by Chris reached in his pocket for the ring he had hidden in there. He present it to Tara and said, "Will you marry me?" Tara of course said, "Yes" and the two became engaged.

The couple would like to thank Heidi and Jeff for setting up the spot for them and guarding it until they arrived there. 

 Next: The Wedding