Yeah yeah, it took me 6 years to do it, but it’s done! I asked Lindsey to marry me!  I convinced her to get out of the apartment Friday evening after our 4-mile training run and visit the Jefferson Memorial.  To us, that memorial is magical. Every time we go there, we usually end up staying late in to the night resting on the marble floor staring at the sky talking about life and our future.  Because of our history at the Jefferson, it was a perfect place to also start our future.  Plus, I think it’s the most beautiful memorial in Washington, DC, and it’s off the beaten path, which makes it even more desirable.

We’re very happy with the way our lives are right now, and the time is right to make it official. the plan couldn’t have been more perfect.  It was starting to drizzle a bit on the way there, but the rain held off as we arrived at the memorial.  There was a small crowd, so I got her to walk to the side of the memorial where it was a bit more intimate.  I didn’t want to waste any time with the proposal, since I knew everything we would have talked about leading up to the “moment” would have been forgotten.  I did the romantic gesture of getting down on one knee and presenting the box.

Patrick: Ya know, the only way I’m giving you a Google Wave invite is if you marry me.  So, will you marry me?
Lindsey: Oh my God, is this really happening? Yes! I’m hyperventilating. This isn’t real! Am I dreaming?

I had to use the recent launch of Google Wave as a transition, and it totally threw her off and she had NO IDEA!  (Tech geeks, keep in mind Google Wave  just launched Wednesday).  I had to sit her down right away, and she just couldn’t believe it was for real.  Then it started raining (which is a sign of good luck?), and after some photos and phone calls, we walked back to the car under an umbrella.

We ended the night with a romantic dinner at The Melting Pot, ordering the Alpine Big Night Out Fondue Feast with cheese fondue, salad, Filet Mignon, shrimp and chocolate.  By the way, The Melting Pot is a GREAT place to show off a new engagement ring.  The lights really made the diamonds sparkle, and Lindsey couldn’t keep the smile off her face all night.

The reason why it took so long for me to finally ask her? I don’t really know, but time can certainly tell the story of our love and commitment to each other.  We’ve been through many life changes over the years–heck we’ve lived together, bought a house together and withstood the test of a long distance relationship for 5 years before moving here to Washington, DC. Plus her two sisters are married with babies, and time isn’t slowing down for anyone these days.  We’ve spent the four seasons living under the same roof (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) and I’m feeling the love like I never have before.

We had our first date on August 1, 2003 and now six years, two months and one day later, we are celebrating a new beginning! Opa!