New Christmas Duds

Here I am in my new Christmas clothes! Aren't I just about the sexiest man alive (not to mention among the most humble)?! - PAT

Engaged!

We took this picture on November 29, the night we were engaged. I had picked up the engagement ring the day before and was very excited about proposing. Julie, however, had a veritable cornucopia of assignments that were due that week; her stress level was correspondingly high. The weather was not cooperating either...it was cold and was snowing/raining during the entire day. Since it was a Tuesday, Julie had a class at the BYU Salt Lake Center. I decided that I would accompany her and, after class, we could go to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. Much to my chagrin, Julie was not in the mood for a romantic stroll through the falling snow (in hindsight I should have predicted this outcome...snow is a rather rare occurence in California)! It took some patient cajoling, but eventually Julie acquiesced and we walked through Temple Square, admiring the light displays. It was at this point that I suddenly became nervous. We walked around the entirety of the grounds, eventually stopping at the fountain located between the visitor's center and the temple. Julie had a pretty good idea that I was going to propose (which is probably the reason that she eventually caved in and agreed to the outing) and attempted to help things along by suggesting that we throw some coins into the fountain and make a wish, which we did. I wished that I would be able to propose to her without making too much of a fool of myself...I don't think that the wish came entirely true! We then walked half-way around the fountain again, whereupon I stopped, held her in my arms and asked her if I could ask her a question. She said I could, and it was at this moment that I noticed that she had her gloves on (yet another obstacle to overcome)! Thinking quickly, I said something suave and debonair (actually, I said, "You might want to take your glove off"). I then got down on one knee and asked the most amazing woman in the world to be my wife. She said yes and the rest is history. - PAT

First Post

Here is our first post to the infamous "Blog of Separation"! We took this picture right after attending a Halloween Party, shortly after we began dating. I think the goggles are a nice touch! - PAT