Every step of the evening was a surprise, starting with dinner. The Pink Door was a warm, hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant in Post Alley, (Seattle) with an accordion player and tons of personality. He had the house lasagna and she had gnocchi with the chef's sauce. Dessert was Perugia chocolate cake, a slab of the richest Italian chocolate that was more than enough for two to share. Dinner was capped off by a lovely Polaroid photo framed in a hand-made Valentine card..."You make my heart sparkle!"

After dinner, Kyle suggested they take in a few live songs at Kell's, an Irish pub and Seattle favorite. The Stout was complimented by classic tunes played by the skilled hands of two elderly Irishmen with thick accents. A highlight was when the waitress joined one of the men with her fiddle and played some amazing sets that most people would have paid money to hear. One of the musicians gave every couple in the lounge a free CD to remember the evening by.

After the fiddle-playing waitress had finished her set, Kyle knew that it was time for the next surprise. This was what Sarah had been waiting for since she had spent almost the entire evening guessing and trying to pry the next move out of Kyle. She loves surprises and was very impressed that she hadn't yet guessed it. Her curiosity was peaked when, in the car, she saw Kyle text messaging someone. But in an effort to keep the secret, she didn't inquire about it. (Kyle was text messaging his friend Chris to set the stage for the big moment.)

The stage was the place where Kyle and Sarah first met over four years ago during a game of Monopoly with friends. Emerson Hall lobby, particularly in front of the fireplace, became a special landmark for them over the years. Because of this, Kyle planned to continue the tradition by proposing to his lovely lady.   Continue...