back Jackie and Jake December 20, 2009. Sunday. It started out like a regular day on break. My boyfriend Jake was out to breakfast with a friend, and I thought nothing of it. At around 2pm, we got together and had a quick lunch at his house, and then made put some cookies in the oven, and then I decided to head back to my house to hang with the family, and see Jake after dinner. My family was planning on going out to eat to Brown Bottle to celebrate Zack (my big brother)'s return home for a while and his deployment in March to Afghanistan. Jake had told me he was planning on eating with his grandparents that night, and we would call each other when we were done. At this point, I didn't even suspect anything. Absolutely nothing. So I went home and started getting ready for the dinner at around 5:30. Zack told everyone he wanted to go to the Brown Bottle, although I insisted we go to Montage instead, (because their fettuccini alfredo is soo good) but he wanted Brown Bottle, so I just went along with it. We went out to the Brown Bottle around 7pm. Again, at this point, there was not a hint of wonder in my mind that something was going to happen—it wasn't often that my whole family went out to dinner together, especially at the Brown Bottle, one of the nicest restaurants in town, but then again, it wasn't every day that a sibling gets deployed to Afghanistan. Mom had to "pee" so Dad let her out right at the front door at Brown Bottle, and I insisted that Josie and I get out too since we had heels on, but Dad was already driving away to find a parking spot. Eventually we park and get out, and Dad led Josie and I near the entrance, holding our arms as I almost fall in the snow. We get inside and Mom is gone, probably found our place. My dad tells the waiter our reservation. At this point, still no clue. I'm still wobbly on my heels and I'm off in my own mind, wondering what I was going to do later that night after dinner. I walk in the room, Dad is first and I'm second, along with the rest of my siblings behind me. I then see a long table – Jake's whole family is there! I'm surprised to see them and I say "hey!" thinking that Jake had tricked me and we were all having dinner together at this point, still to celebrate Zack. I go over to a spot to put my coat down, and then three things happen. Number one: I see across from me, Jake's best friends. At this point I know, but I don't really know, like I'm in denial. It can't be really happening. But they don't know Zack, so why are they here?? Number 2: Jake isn't anywhere to be seen. More confusion and denial. And number three: Mom and Mija start videocameras. And then I freeze. My mind slowly puts together what's happening. A part of my mind is screaming that THIS IS ITTTT! But another part of my mind isn't going to believe… doesn't want to believe it's actually happening. Right here. In this perfect place. In front of the people I love the most. And then I see Jake. Everyone is sitting down at this point, waiting for him. He walks in, in a striped button up shirt, and the jeans I love to see him in, beaming. Slowly I make my way over to him, my mind still in denial—really asking myself if it's happening. My hands start shaking, then my whole body. I'm still in shock—it feels so surreal, like I'm watching myself and I'm not in my own body. Jake kisses my cheek, assuring me that "this is really it." Then he gets down on one knee. The part I've imagined in my head over and over and over for years, is finally happening. So perfectly. "Jacqueline Elizabeth…will you do me the honor of marrying me?" and holds out that ring, that perfect ring. And in this perfect moment, racing by so fast, holding back my temptation to just scream yes at him, I look at the people that are watching. My family…his family…our friends…watching, smiling, waiting for it. I turn back to Jake. "Of course I will" I say, and lean down to kiss him, as he gets up from his knee and we kiss again. As we hug each other, I start crying—happiness. The feeling of knowing that we would be married one day overcame all my other emotions, and I was so happy. Everyone would be there for us, just as they were now, happy to see us together. And in that moment, it was just as I imagined it would be. Simple. But perfect. There are no other words to describe it.