Spread the Love: Speechless in Seattle

My wife Michelle grew up in the Los Angeles area, and I grew up here in Pierce County. Michelle and I met each other at a summer youth camp when we were 15 years old. We became instant friends and then wrote each other about once per year for the next six years.

After serving a two-year volunteer mission for my church, I started attending the same university that Michelle had already been attending. I looked her up, and we started dating. Later that spring, I asked her to come home to Washington with me to meet my parents.

While she was visiting, I took Michelle out to dinner at the top of the Space Needle. During the dinner, I told her to reach under the table and hold my hand. Later, I asked her to reach under the table again. This time, she felt a velvet box instead of my hand.

She said, "What's this?" and opened the box to find a solitaire diamond ring that I had secretly purchased a week earlier. I was so nervous and excited at the same time that I became mute. Michelle said, "Is there anything you want to ask me?" I nervously responded, "Oh, yes. Uhm, will you marry me?" Michelle said "Yes!" and we were married later that summer.

Names: Rob & Michelle

Years together: 20

Best relationship advice: Dedicate quality one-on-one time every day. Watching TV together doesn't count.

Plans for Valentine's Day: Put the kids to bed and enjoy a cup of cocoa by the fire together.

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