The date was August 28th, 2009...which was also my birthday....

Picture
I woke up very early for a dentist appointment and by the time I arrived back home I noticed something at the front door. It was a bouquet of pink and yellow roses James had sent to me along with a balloon saying "Dream Big", a candy box, and a teddy bear with a card saying: "I hope all of your dreams and wishes come true. Happy Birthday and I Love You"

I was so happy! James is not usually big on surprises, so I was overjoyed to receive such a sweet gift and quickly called him up at work to thank him for the beautiful gift.

I already knew my parents had something up there sleeve. They were going to take me out to dinner, but it was a big secret and no one would tell me where we were going. I always complained of never having an elaborate surprise birthday, and even though I was only turning 22 (nothing special about that number...) I figured they were being nice and doing something I had always asked for: A surprise birthday.

I was told to dress up nice and be ready by 4:00 pm.

And off we went!

We drove out to Sea World and finally I was told we were going to the Makahiki Luau Dinner Show at Sea World's Sea Fire Inn Hotel. I was ecstatic! I had ALWAYS wanted to go to this luau show and we were finally going to go!

We got inside and our table was right up front near the stage. My family all seemed super happy and excited, but James was especially giddy. I figured he was happy to see the show as well!

The show began and it was incredible. There were fire dancers and hula girls and every performance after another was remarkable. We were having ourselves a great time! The food was delicious as well.

At one point in the show they needed three volunteers from the audience to come up on stage to do something similar to "Simon Says" on the drums where the Hawaiian man would bang a tune and the volunteer would try to reenact that tune.

Well, instead of asking for volunteers they randomly called out three names....James happened to be one called up!! I thought it was hilarious and cheered him on!

They had him go last and he did great! But as they pushed the drums away to finish the act, the Hawaiian man raises his hands up and says:

"WAIT! We are not finished yet....James has something he wants to say to someone special...." and he looks at James and says "What is her name?"

James looks at me and says "Jessi" The man asks if I can come up on stage.

At this point I was shocked, excited, and had no clue what to think. Were they going to sing Happy Birthday to me? Is he going to Propose?? The crowd started Ooooing and Ahhing and someone shouted "YOU GO JAMES!!"

I got up on stage and James got down on one knee and starts telling me that we've been together for 3 years now and I have made him the happiest man in the world and if I would continue making him the happiest man and marry him...at least that is what I can remember because I was bawling my eyes out and the crowd was loud and cheering and I couldn't believe what was happening!!!

I said YES! and the Hawaiian man tells the crowd "SHE SAID YES!" and they start applauding and cheering even louder. The whole experience was surreal and could not have been any better.

We got off stage and enjoyed the rest of the show as a newly engaged couple!

After the show ended we went outside and got to ride Manta (a new rollercoaster at SeaWorld). Then an amazing fireworks show went off and we were able to take a picture together with the fireworks.

It was the perfect end to an unforgettable night.