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James and I had been dating for seven years. The time had definitely come for a proposal! I had been hinting around about getting married, but I was not prepared...

I was not prepared for the surprise that I got on July 30, 2006. I was in Philadelphia for a conference with my aunt. We had planned a day trip to New York to see a play. I had never been to New York and was very excited!

My aunt told me that she had arranged a limo tour so that we could see more of the city in the 2.5 hours before the play started. When the limo arrived, the driver introduced himself. My aunt got in first. Then I got in. As I sat down, I noticed that there was someone else in the car. It was James, my boyfriend! I really didn't think that anything was strange because he had met me while I was on vacation before.

So, James, my aunt, and I rode around the city. I was taking pictures through the window and was not really paying attention to what was happening. Then, a policeman pulled us over. We sat for a few minutes. Then he let us go. Little did I know, this was all part of the plan. We drove up a few feet, and James and I got out of the car. We were at the edge of Central Park. There was a horse carriage waiting there. I tried to get my aunt to come with us, but I didn't understand why she didn't go.

Oh well! James and I got into the carriage and went for a ride. I took pictures the whole ride. We started talking, but I have to admit that I was more impressed with being in New York City than the conversation. All of a sudden, James is looking very nervous. He pulls out a red box (my favorite color!). He was talking to me, but when I saw the beautiful ring inside, I didn't hear another word! He came all the way from Memphis to NYC to propose to me!

After he placed the ring on my finger, I said, "Are you going to ask me to marry you?" He said, "I did, but you didn't hear me because you were crying! I will ask you again though." Of course, I said YES!!! I never thought that I would be speechless at that moment. That was the best day of my life!!! I can't believe that my aunt set me up! I was angry that they had tricked me, but I was glad because everything turned out so perfectly.

I have the sweetest man in the world. He made my proposal very special. All of my friends are jealous. Every time I tell this story, people start to cry. This is something that I will never forget!