Mackenzie and I first met ten years ago just before our freshman year in high school. We quickly became friends and remained that way for a while. Before long I knew I wanted more but she didn’t. It took me a year of chasing before she agreed to go on a date with me and that was all it took. We started dating our junior year and dated through high school. We eventually graduated and went to different universities; it was hard but we realized that it was true love and stuck it out through the distance which made us stronger.
After college we discovered true happiness when we moved in together and have spent almost two years in Champaign. In February I decided that after 7 1/2 years it was time to get engaged. I went into Denney Jewelers and showed them a picture of what I was looking for. When the ring came in I had it all planned out. 
Mackenzie’s favorite flowers are roses and I’ve always loved how the different colors have different meanings. I had made 6 cards and had corresponding colored roses representing the six stages in our relationship: yellow for friendship, blue for chasing the unattainable, white for new beginnings, red for true love, pink for true happiness, and deep red for the future commitment.
I asked Mackenzie to meet me in a park that we often go to so that we could run. She walked up in her work out clothes and was very confused to find me in the flower garden dressed in black slacks and a red button up shirt holding roses and cards! One by one I handed her the cards and the roses explaining how much she has meant to me in every stage of our relationship. The last explained to her how much I love her and how I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her; it ended with two simple words: marry me. As she read it I got down on one knee, showed her the ring and asked her to marry me.
With tears in her eyes she said yes!
I had never been to a St. Louis Cardinals opening day baseball game and was excited because my now fiancé, Tony, had found tickets for us not only on opening day but for 2 games against the Cubs on opening weekend. He suggested spending the night in the St. Louis area but I decided it would be best to save money by just riding with other family members that were going on Friday and drive ourselves on Saturday. He was in St. Louis on Thursday for a business meeting and sent me a text message informing me that he had won a pair of tickets in a raffle drawing. They were for a VIP Opening Day Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch the next day. I could tell he was excited, but I was actually mad because I knew this was going to give him a reason to say we might as well stay for the weekend. By the time I got off work I had calmed down some and just thought it wasn’t worth fighting over. I called him to get more details. He said the VIP manager at the hotel told him it was a special event that only a select group of people were invited to and to make sure I had my camera with me. Not really knowing what to expect, I speculated with my family as to who would be there or what it would entail. We guessed the Cardinals Hall of Famers were the VIPs. We would get to enjoy breakfast with them and get pictures and maybe even autographs. I then began to get a little more excited about what I was telling my coworkers was “some stupid little breakfast thing I have to go to”.
We proceeded out the door at the side of the room to see if the breakfast was through that door. I was even more confused when we found that it just led to the outside terrace where it was raining. We turned around to go back into the original room but we were now locked out! So, we walked back down the hallway to the doors where the manager and the employees were still standing telling them we weren’t sure where we were supposed to go. He pointed us to the end of the room again and said, “It is right there.” I seriously thought the man had lost his marbles because there was no breakfast, no VIPs, and certainly no one stopping to stare at our supposedly “best dressed” attire! 
As I approached the table set for two again, completely baffled, Tony said, “I have a question for you. Will you be committed to me for the rest of your life?” Of course I said yes, and then instantly realized something was up and asked, “Was this all a set up?!” With a smile, he replied “Maybe” as he got down on one knee. He asked me to marry him and slipped the most beautiful ring than I could have ever imagined on my finger! After a short embrace and a kiss he pulled out the chair for me and we sat down to enjoy the view of the Arch and the calming rain falling on the softly illuminated terrace floor. The VIP Manager then delivered our delicious breakfast, poured our Mimosas, and left us alone to enjoy the moment that I’ll never forget. 
On the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, my fiance, John, and I were “greening up” in preparation of the parade in downtown Springfield. Being Irish and having a birthday that falls on the day after, St. Patrick’s Day has been my favorite holiday for many years! 
My girlfriend and I have been together for just under 3 years. She has always thought marriage was the last thing on my mind and I was someone who wanted to wait a long time before we made that commitment. Whenever she would mention marriage I would just brush it off. 
I was a freshman in college and was studying American Sign Language. I received an email on my space from a guy, with a very deep southern accent. I was born in New York and raised near Chicago and the last thing I ever thought would happen, would be me falling in love with a boy from the country. 
As I waited patiently in the library, across from the chapel, we lined up and began to walk across the lawn. I was so surprised to see my family and his all there to watch me graduate. As we lined up in front of the chapel steps I was approached by my ASL teacher. She brought me to the top of the steps and signed “Today is the most important day of your life right? I want to bring up Danny.”
We are now accepting submissions for the 2013 title of Most Romantic Couple. We want to hear
Congratulations Casey and Jeremy!
Has asked me to marry him in July 2011 
Earlier this January Willie and I went on a vacation to Mexico. Neither of us had been before so we were very excited. Little did I know this was going to be a trip that I would never forget. We arrived at our resort and it was beautiful. Like most people coming from cold weather we headed straight to the beach. I love the ocean and everything about it so that is exactly where I headed. After finding lounge chairs closer to the water I decided I wanted to move our things there. My sister-in-law suggested I go help Willie move everything, which I found odd because all we needed to move was my purse and flip flops, but I went anyway.
When I reached the spot where Willie was waiting for me the scenery was flawless. The bright blue ocean was at his back, the white sand at his feet, and the beautiful blue sky didn’t have a cloud in sight. Standing in front of me was my handsome fiancé trying to hold back his smiles. As I looked down I saw the sand beneath my feet had a message that read “Lakin Will You Marry Me?”
At first I didn’t believe him. I just kept laughing and saying “Are you serious?!” This time it was the real deal. My prince charming was down on one knee handing me the most beautiful engagement ring I had ever seen.