[ready2fly]

Here's what I did:

Took my (then) girlfriend to dinner at a decent (not overly nice - didn't want to tip my hand) restaraunt. It was in December, so I told her that we were going to see "A Christmas Carol" at the performing arts center.

On the way, I stopped at our favorite spot to walk - on the campus of the University of Tampa - since we "had a little time before the show".

We walked down to the river, chatted for a bit, then I took out a poem I had written for her and began reading from it. She had NO idea what I was doing until RIGHT at the very end when I dropped to my knee and brought out the ring.

I wasn't done there.

After we composed ourselves, we walked back up towards the main building where I had a horse and carriage waiting on her with a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers.

We took a carriage ride through the ritzy neighborhood which was all lit up for Christmas.

I STILL wasn't done:

As we neared the end of our time, I told her that we were going to another restaraunt where her family, my family, and our friends were all waiting on us.

She was COMPLETELY surprised all the way around!!!

If I could offer any advice is would be this: Plan it out!.

This is one of the biggest days in your relationship. One she will remember forEVER. Don't Fuggit up! Don't just be non-challante (sp?) about it and act as though it's no big deal.

Make a production out of it. Make it special.

Just my $0.02.

Drop me a line if you'd like any pointers.

R2F