Some of you may know the story and others may not. So here goes. When I decided to ask the "BIG" question of course I wanted to make sure the location would be very memorable. It just so happened we were going on a European vacation with family and one of the stops was Venice, Italy. BOOM! So I had the location. Next was putting Erica off about asking her because she was getting antsy about when... if.... or  ever ...I might ask for her hand in marriage. I had to tell her I had a plan and to let the plan play out. Yeah that is not really what a girl wants to hear..They want the bling bling!

Fast forward to Venice. I ask her to go out to dinner just her and I. I told her to get all fancied up and to wear   that long elegant dress i had gotten her months prior....I got a referral from the guy  we were staying at for a GOOD ROMANTIC RESTAURANT ..... We take a taxi to the entrance of the city. Now on the map it did not look like a far walk to where we got dropped off to where he showed me the restaurant was located.  BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!! Needless to say we walked forever and asked many individuals for directions. We could not find the restaurant........ Meanwhile............  Erica is exhausted and her feet starting to blister from all that walking in her high heels and about ready to cry...... in her a beautiful red gown and hair was done up all nice plus makeup was perfect........ At this point I'm panicking..... I was in a pickle... I was definitely not feeling the love....... I the consummate optimist told her that there are many beautiful restaurants in close vicinity. I stated were in VENICE!!!!!!!!!! any would do just fine. SO ... I took her to nearest one, which was quaint end elegant i thought PERFECT!!!!! we sat  outside, facing the ocean, with live music the guy playing romantic Italian music on his accordion by our table the weather was perfect.  I started pumping her full of adult beverages so as  to take her mind off her frustration anger and pain in her feet....... She  finally chilled out and we had a beautiful dinner right on the canal..BAM!!!!!!.... Next I had to figure out where to ask the Big question. Could have done it on a bridge or Gondola but too cliche......So After dinner and a few steps along the Canal River, We heard a beautiful voice...   eminating from a hotel/Restaurant a young lady dressed in white playing the piano outside the restaurant ...so  we decided to go inside. There was a quaint little room off to the side of the hotel lobby that was decorated very nicely. Reminded me of the Rat Pack. Dino,Sammy, Frank,Joey would have been proud.!!!! We sat inside, had a few glasses of wine , and during small talk,..... i was building up the courage to ask the BIG QUESTION......!!!!!!!  When she least expected i was on one knee and had asked her if she wouldn't mind spending the rest of her life with me and if she would MARRY ME........!!!!!!!!I had found the right moment , after many tears and hugs... and to my relief.. SHE SAID YES.........!!!!!!! Too our surprise my sister was two rooms over in the same hotel listening to the band. When I walked through the lobby I heard someone yell my name. It was my sister Chris. What are the odds she would be in the same hotel; in all of Venice, the moment I was proposing.We continued to celebrate till the wee hours of the morning...mic drop!!