It was like any other Friday night....or so I had thought. I arrived to Mt. Vernon after driving after school from St. Louis.  I was hungry and Mark told me we were going to try a new place in Benton, IL called The Fish House.  We got into his car, started driving, talking, all was well. Next thing I know, I see a sign for Rend Lake.....which is not in Benton. I asked him how we ended back up here and he said he must of made a wrong turn somewhere. He pulled into a parking lot and put the car in park.  I turned to look at him and he had this goofy grin on his face and simply asked, "Lisa Marie, will you take a walk with me?" Pretty sure I took a big gulp and said "Yes."  We began walking down this path to the waters edge, the sun was setting, there were candles lining the path that had blown out from the wind, but romantic none the less. We got to the waters edge and there were more candles, to be honest I can not remember all the sweet words he was saying, but next thing I knew, he was down on one knee askkng me to marry him. We hugged, kissed, and cried. Then I hear squealing from behind us and our friend Kelsey comes running from behind a tree....she had filmed the whole thing! Little did I know, Mark and Kelsey had done trial runs all week to make sure it would all go as planned. It was one of the most romantic moments of my life and our relationship....and I cant wait to make more memories with my best friend. 

Everything she said is the absolute truth. Yes I lied about going to a fish house named Jack Russels in Benton Illinois. Yes Kelsey, her mom Cheryl, and I spent an evening picking out the perfect spot on the lake and making several timed runs from Mt. Vernon to the lake so we'd have sunset timed out. Really a lot of logistics when you think about it. However, what she didn't know is I had been looking for the perfect spot for months since I already had the perfect ring picked out. Thank goodness she's not a snooper or she would have found it hidden in my house. I also can't tell you how many times I almost blew it. Not good with secrets. She is correct the moment was beautiful and the timing was perfect. After the small talk and laughter we shared walking to the water front, I took her hands and said Lisa Marie, I have finally met my best friend and can't imagine living my life without you. After fumbling around for the ring in my pocket, I finally pulled it out and asked If she would do me the honor of spending the rest of our lives together by marrying me. Yes she was right, tears were shed as she said yes. This proposal couldn't have turned out any better and I can't wait to exchange the vows that make us forever ours.