July 17, 2002

Six years ago on this date Raleigh asked me to marry him....more to come. I need to go find the pictures and scan them...but I wanted to post and let him know how much this date means to me. I love you!!!

*****Okay, so I looked through tons and tons of pictures and I can't put my hands on the pictures of the night he proposed. So this is how it went.

Raleigh has always been so accepting of the children and he even included them in on the big night. We went to eat at the Santa Maria in St. Augustine. The kids had a great time dropping food to the fish and we had a wonderful dinner. Emma was not quite 2, Brandon was 5, and Robby was 8. After dinner we went on a horse and carriage ride around the old town of St. Augustine. When she stopped under the "kissing tree", Raleigh kissed me, asked me to marry him, and gave me a bag of rose pedals with my ring tucked inside a box inside the pedals. He then gave each child a gold i.d. bracelet with their names on it and we later inscribed our wedding date on the back of them. The lady at the front of the carriage said, "that makes my 7th proposal so far." We knew it was meant to be because the number 7 was such a prevalent number in our relationship. I'm so thankful he chose me and he would still choose me today!! And I love the father he has always been to our children. Thank you, Raleigh, for including them in on such a romantic evening.

Though I didn't find the pictures I was looking for, I did find a letter he wrote to me just 11 days before this night. I should read this every morning....It reads, word for word:

7-9-2002
11:30 pm

Catherine,

Thank you for being who you are. I would have waited in a single file line for years for a soul mate like you. The book of poems is a true gift from you and I have picked one so far that I feel is a true connection of how I feel about you. Listen as you read.

The things I Promise to be for you.

A place you can come to for comfort.
Eyes you can look at and trust.
A hand to reach out and clasp.
A heart that understands and doesn't judge you.

A supportive shoulder to cry on.
A long walk anywhere you want to go.
And for anytime when we're apart;
a close and caring intimacy that you will always know.

A door that is always open.
A caring, gentle hug.
A time that is devoted to you alone.

A reflection of my love.

Give me your all Catherine as you are doing and I will always lift your spirits. Time is precious and I give my time to you.

Always loving and thinking of you,
Raleigh.

I look so forward to spending much more precious time with you, Raleigh. We make an amazing team!!