After almost seven years of dating, Mike proposed to me at my childhood home in Texas before my parents moved to Portland, OR. It was pretty tense, all in all -- visiting my hometown, Christmas and all that it brings, the stress of coming up with a contribution to the Jordan Christmas program, not to mention that our bags (including his with the ring) were lost by the airline. But to Mike, probably the hardest thing was trying to find a moment to ask my dad for his permission. It is not easy to get a word in edgewise with John (who Mike lovingly called "Saint John"). After finally getting his blessing from my dad, Mike proposed to me in my childhood bedroom late on Christmas day. He got down on one knee, and smiled, and said: Are you going to marry me, or WHAT? :)