How we met:
In the Spring of 2008, both Corinne and Chris were going to Mexico through Azusa Pacific University's Mexico Outreach program, both were on team Ezra (the camp security team), and both volunteered to be shift leaders. Corinne was 10-2 AM and PM, and Chris was 2-6 AM and PM. Corinne drove the van that Chris rode in to Mexico, and they became friends. After Mexico was over, they became close friends, participating in team Ezra movie nights, bowling nights, etc. Corinne left that summer for a couple months to drive for a tour for the School of Music's Celebration team. Corinne and Chris kept in close contact as friend during those months. When Corinne returned from tour, Chris left for a three week mission trip to Bulgaria. Upon his return, the two quickly became great friends and spent much time together. It wasn't until late September that they let each other know of the feelings they had each developed for the other, and on October 12th, 2008 they began their relationship.
Engagement Story
2/20/2010
How we got engaged
His Side:
I will start off by saying that I have had her ring since late October/early November, I was waiting until we were ready to get engaged and the moment was right.
Corinne and I had not celebrated either Corinne's Birthday or Valentine's Day by going out to a nice restaurant, but both of us had been desiring to go out on a nice date. So we made exclusive plans to go to a nice restaurant on the 20th of February. We both got dressed up in our nicest and went to Spaggi's in Upland. The restaurant was a little hard to find because it was located in a shopping center behind a Del Taco. However, the restaurant was extremely nice and had a wonderful romantic atmosphere. It was a small restaurant, so the noise was minimal. The food and staff were both superb as well.
After dinner, we had planned to go to 21 Choices in Claremont, but ended up not having enough time because we had to make it to a friend's farewell dinner in Azusa. So we went to the dinner and spent some time with a couple close friends. During our time there a couple got engaged. This was not by any means a fancy restaurant, it was both noisy and busy. A couple of us talked about the fact that we would not want to propose/be proposed to in such a public venue. The entire time I was biting my tongue with the ring sitting in my pocket.
After saying goodbye, I suggested that we go back to 21 Choices in Claremont for dessert, and she agreed. Now the night was not the warmest, and had been threatening to rain all night, but we decided yogurt would be a good dessert. We go to Claremont and got our yogurt (cinnamon flavor that night), and are walking back to our car. Now in Claremont by the 21 Choices there is a little seating area by the parking structure which overlooks the downtown area by the theater. We ended up seating up there together alone eating, talking, and enjoying our evening. I was thinking to myself at that time that this would be the perfect moment to propose. First it wasn't raining, second, she was not wearing any rings that day, third she agreed to sit and eat our yogurt outside. At one point during our conversation she suggests that I go get my camera out of my car so we can take pictures. While I go and get it, I noticed she picked up here phone, and I thought she knew I was proposing that night and was already telling her friends. We tried to take a couple pictures, but nothing really worked out.
After several minutes up there, I turn to her a one point and ask if I could ask her a question. She agreed, and I stood up. I reached in my pocket for the ring, but could not locate it because my keys were in the same pocket. It took a couple moments for me to find it, but once I did I dropped to once knee and asked if she would marry me. Immediately she starting laughing and giggling, while I am still on my knee. After about a minute, she says yes and I put the ring on her finger. It took about five minutes for her to stop giggling, and for me to stop reassuring her that it was real, before she was able to call her Mom to tell her the news.
Her Side:
On Saturday the 20th, I knew we were going on our long awaited date. I was excited because I got to wear my satin gown that I had bought a few weeks prior. I was excited and the thought had crossed my mind that this might be the day he asked but the thought was fleeting due to the fact that Bradney had tricked me the week prior into thinking he was going to propose then and he did not. I also had thought he had not asked my dad yet so I believed the proposal would not come until at least April (because I would be in Mexico on a missions trip for a week and he could ask my dad then I thought). We had a delicious dinner with wonderful service and I got to sit across from the love of my life so it seemed just perfect. Bradney had mentioned that he wanted to get 21 choices for dessert and that sounded good to me as well so we decided after bidding farewell to our good friend at his going away party we would go back and have frozen yogurt.
At the party, we were talking with a beloved friend about proposals and the different ways we would NOT want the proposal to be presented (someone had proposed that night at the crowded/loud mexican restaurant) we laughed and joked. After this conversation, I never believed he would propose because throughout the conversation he was completely calm and normal which I had always imagined he would be nervous and I would be able to see the signs that it would be coming. (Boy was I wrong!) Once we said goodbye, we ventured back to Claremont area (the restaurant had been in upland) to get our frozen yogurt.
Once we had got the delicious frozen treat, we were walking back to our car when Bradney asked if I wanted to sit in a small patio area that overlooked a part of Old town Claremont for a bit or if I was too cold and wanted to go back to the car. Although I was a little cold, I decided it looked beautiful after the rain, so I decided we should sit. We sat and talked and just enjoyed each others company as usual. After a bit, Bradney had just finished a sentence and quickly followed with a "Can I ask you a question?" I told him ofcourse and he stood up. I was a little confused as to why he had stood up and then saw him trying to get something from his pocket. I thought he was trying to trick me again and I began to laugh and panic a little. The next thing I new he was on his knee asking me to marry him. I laughed and laughed with joy/shock/happiness all rolling through my mind. After about a minute of laughing/hyper ventilating, (it felt like much longer though), I managed to say yes. Throughout this time he was laughing with me, telling me that the ring was real and he was actually asking me to marry him. I laughed and cried and couldn't believe that I was the one God had chosen to spend the rest of my life with this amazing God-fearing man.
