Brian and Pam's September 2011 DCL PJ
Groom Version!
Groom Version!
HELLO ALL!
First thing. Thank you ALL for your knowledge and experiences and offering help and answers.
This is Brian. I'm the one with slightly more time so I get to do the "internetty" stuff for us. Apparently there is a format for these things (which would be great to have in a sticky!!!) so here we go.
US: HOW WE MET
I blame Andy.
It was way back, 4 years ago or so, around 2006, at Champs restaurant in the Marriott Waterside. It was Pams birthday and my good friend Andy had invited me along. I had no idea who Pam was, but there was a free hockey game in the offer! How could I say no?
Dinner was a whirlwind. Pam stopped by for about 30 seconds and continued on her merry way. The hockey game was great, but Andy wasn't feeling well, and left early. There I was alone in a large group of strange people! Pam ended up hitting me several times with foam fingers and the bang sticks they gave out. By the end we were all feeling no pain.
At one of the NEXT Lightning games I saw Pam again at Andreychucks afterward. It was the first time she REMEMBERED meeting me. And she was surprised I knew her. That was the last I saw of Pam for a few months.
Fast forward to football season. Specifically, to USF Bulls football season. I was invited by Andy (again) to a Bulls game. Who ends up sitting next to me? Pam! So for several games that season, I made myself available for Bulls games! We met up again at a Thanksgiving after party at Andys house and then in 2008 I got myself some season tickets to the Bulls myself.
It wasn't until February 13th, 2009 that I had an official "date" with Pam. We went to see a blues band at one of the local watering holes. The next weekend, I made her dinner at my house and had (what *I* consider) our first official date! She firmly believes its the next weekend, when I had a Poker Night, and she co-hosted. I disagree but I defend her right to be wrong!
Since that date (either one) we have been inseparable. Knowing each other for 3 years made it easy to date and propose to one of my best friends! It also made sure that people who have seen us together for 3 years began asking IMMEDIATELY when we were getting married!

Fastforward 1.5 years and I did it..
It is the day after the USF- UF football fiasco 9/12/10. I'm trying to get Pam out of bed EARLY, and its not happening. I have a cooler packed with strawberries, whipped cream that I made MYSELF(!!), croissants and mimosas waiting in the car. We finally get out of the house and we head to Honeymoon island. After walking on South Beach to the point we set up a blanket and enjoy a late breakfast in the sand.
Mimosas in hand we stroll along the point to a bench set in the sand. There we kiss deeply and talk about things. We talk about things we'd like to do in the future. Since she's a project manager, there has always been a running joke between us that before the trips and the plans, we were missing a step. The infamous "Step One"
I told her that it was time to check that step off. I dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me. THANKFULLY she said "Yes" and the rest as you know is history!
More to come.. Off to a meeting now..