Hey family and friends,

I would just like to write to tell everyone about one specific day in Boston, Massachusetts. Yesterday, April 19th Elizabeth got ready to run the 109th Boston Marathon. Early in the morning she woke me up so I could wish her good luck. I was wondering what I was going to do to pass the day away, the race wasn't for a few hours and the race takes a few hours. I wanted to see her finish, but that was hours from now.

I walked down to Fenway Park since there was an early game because of the marathon. I stood in line which wrapped a quarter around the old ballpark to see if they'd have any standing room tickets available. About five minutes later some guy said he had a single seat that he'd sell me for only $40 bucks, I took it, I knew it was going to be a good day. I got to see Curt Schilling throw 10 K's over 5 innings, and Manny Rameriz hit two homers one over the Green Monster and out of the stadium for the World Champs.

In the meantime I was getting updates of how Elizabeth's pace was going from her Mom and sister periodically calculating what time I had to leave the game and head to the race. I called Elizabeth's father and asked him if it'd be okay if I gave Elizabeth a little present after the race. He said, "That's alright with me..."

So the slugfest was 12-6 Red Sox over Blue Jays when I hear the song "Sweet Caroline" play in between the 8th inning, a Fenway Park tradition. Then I thought to myself "I gotta see about a girl" and left the game. Aunt Rose, please don't be too disappointed in me for leaving a game early, I promise it'll never happen again.

So I ran to the race and watched the runners from about mile 25.5. I asked the security guard if I could run alongside the very edge of the race when my girlfriend comes by. He, said sorry son, I can't do that. People in the crowd who heard of my intentions started booing the security guard, and told me to just do it anyways. The security guard came back up to me and said, "Trust me, you don't want to just do it anyways." So I had to think of another alternative. I pushed my way closer to the finish line, you would not believe the crowd. I came across one of the tournament directors and asked him if I could finish the race with my girlfriend and showed him what I had in my pocket. He said, "This isn't a scam to get on the race is it?", and I promised him it wasn't.

So I had about 5 older people working the race help me find Elizabeth. I described her to them, so everyone was looking for Elizabeth. About 3 hours and 40 minutes after she began, I spotted her at about mile 26. I ran to her and she shockingly stated "What are you doing here, how did you get on the course" I told her that I was so proud of her and not to worry about it, she is almost there. As soon as we both crossed the finish line I dropped to one knee in front of thousands and asked her to marry me. She said, "Oh my Gosh, Are you serious, OF COURSE!!"

The best thing about it is we have it all on film, and will show everyone at our wedding. We were so excited and exhausted (okay maybe she was a little more exhausted). I want to let everyone know about my awesome day. Please feel free to post this story to the family website, Uncle Joe, and everyone feel free to send it to family and friends who's email addresses I do not have. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Elizabeth and I are pretty excited.

Dave