Our Engagement Story

Pleasanton, CA - December 21, 2001:

Choosing to do it the our own way (exchanging gold bands), Tina and I picked out our rings about a week ago. However as an added bonus we both agreed on presenting and asking the American way. I wanted very badly to surprise her, and had to be creative with timing to do so. I narrowed the location down to Barone's on Main Street and called for reservations.

This day was perfect it was our fourteenth 'monthiversary'. I managed to get Tina into a mood of going out for dinner and relaxing, and having mentioned I left the rings at home in casual conversation earlier that day she was totally unsuspecting.

As we finished up the Scoozi Bread and sipped our cocktails, I felt this was the perfect time to 'pop the question'. I don't think I could've eaten my dinner if I had to wait. Our server came by to see how we were doing, so I asked her if she would mind taking our picture. As our server set up for the shot, I got down on one knee and took Tina by the hand. As I asked the question Tina grabbed me and hugged and kissed me and said yes...and then said yes again, just to make sure she had said it. As we exchanged rings (I brought both) our server was clicking away on the camera and as we turned around the whole staff had gathered around to congratulate us.

After I finished my Yellowtail, and Tina finished her Filet Mignon, the server brought over some champagne courtesy of Joe Barone (the owner) and then notified us that the staff was buying us dessert drinks (to go with our Crème Brule).

It was such an incredibly wonderful experience, everything fell together perfectly. Barone's was more than the perfect setting, and Tina is more than the perfect woman.