A Little History
We wrote the following stories separate from one another, telling each part in our own words. The following is shared by us for you and your loved ones, please enjoy.
The
Beginning by Ellen
I met Bruce at work and we were just friends for quite some time. When Bruce first asked me out, I was just out of a relationship (as was he), and I wasn't ready to date anyone. So I said no. But I quickly learned that “no” wasn’t an option Bruce could get on board with. And due to his incredible persistence — and maybe just a little bit because he is a wonderful person — I eventually gave in and he got his date.
Of course, that was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. In hindsight, I realize that from the very beginning I could tell I had met my perfect match.
Just
Knowing by Bruce
There’s something about just knowing that is an extraordinary feeling. Knowing that this person is changing your life forever: that they’re the one who makes you the best version of yourself. The one who lets you be the person you always hoped you could be but weren’t sure you would be.
Ellen has always been this person for me. She is the person that brings me to a higher level — a level of caring, honesty, and balance.
I’ve never been more confident in a decision than I was in chasing Ellen (and I do mean chasing). And, I’ve also never been more right in a decision I’ve made. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I live every day thankful, and grateful that she accepts and returns the love I have for her.
The
Proposal by Bruce
“It’s the most obvious thing in the world to me.” That‘s how I explained it to her parents when I called them on a sunny afternoon from Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver. “I just want the opportunity to make your daughter the happiest person in the world.”
I don’t know exactly when it happened, there wasn’t a moment I decided okay, well, time to get married — rather, it just felt right. It felt like I always hoped it would. A feeling of happiness and clarity. The feeling of being greatly humbled.
I asked Ellen to make the most important decision of her life on May 9th 2015 in Longboat Key, Florida.
At the beach she grew up vacationing on we sat alone together watching the sun disappear behind the water. I told her about the future I hoped we could have together — and then I asked her if she would marry me.
Saying
Yes by Ellen
We had never talked about the proposal, we never went ring shopping together. And so he managed to make it a complete surprise.
I really couldn’t have picked a more perfect place for the proposal if I had planned it myself — at sunset, on the same beach where my grandparents grew old together.
He didn’t tell me it was coming, and kept everything a secret. He had done such a good job being sneaky that even right beforehand, when the thought crossed my mind, I immediately dismissed it.
We were both sitting on a blanket on the beach watching the sunset, so he made me stand up. And one incredibly sweet speech later I was nodding (and crying) a lot. Apparently, I was so stunned that I forgot to actually say “yes” right away. It wasn't until I heard him say, “so that's a yes, right?”, that I realized I needed to verbalize something asap.
