It’s been awhile now since I proposed the first time. I chose the Waterfalls at the Disneyland Hotel because it is a meaningful spot to us. The Waterfalls was where we officially began our relationship and our journey. I tell you, she’s a tough cookie. It took a lot of pursuit before I landed this one. With everything said and done, I would do it all over again. Courting Tammy was one of the hardest thing I ever had to do. But with every big obstacle, comes great reward. She was worth every bit of it. For our 2nd anniversary, in January 2005, I took Tammy to Disneyland. If you know Tammy, you know she LOVES Disneyland. I had been planning this for a good 2 months now.
I believe we had just finished eating dinner and we went to the Waterfalls. She was at the railing and I held her. In my mind this whole time was, “I hope she says yes, or this is going to be awkward….” So I got onto one knee and reached into my pocket and showed her the ring and asked her “Will you marry me?” When she said “Yes”, my first instinct was to pick her up and run around with her on my shoulders like a mad man. We were young; she was my first and only love. We decided to wait until we were more established in life.
If you guys haven’t already figured it out. I proposed TWICE! And got 2 RINGS! But to be fair, the first ring was not great. I was 20, c’mon. The second ring was tough. This time I put tremendous thought over it. What style, what cut, blah blah blah blah. The more and more I talk to people, the more and more I was scared that I would buy the wrong one and she would not like it. While I was trying to do all this ninja style, I was not very good at it. She caught me a couple times. I had taken her ring and she had found it. She saw me looking at rings online. This is also when I realized, I shouldn’t lie to her because I obviously was no good at keeping secrets from her. Since the cat was out of the bag, I had to make her think that I was not going to propose again since I already had. I told her that there will not be another proposal unless she was the one proposing to me. This worked out well because, she started to go ring shopping with me and, she was able to get the ring that she wanted.
Figuring out a good time to propose was hard as well. I wanted her family and friends to be there to witness a happy time. So I told only a few about the plans. I let her sister and brother Suzanne and Mike know. They were encouraging, especially Mike, he kept asking me, “What if she says, No.” Appreciate the motivation. I figured that a good time would be New Years at the end of the countdown. Sounds easy enough, but when people are drinking it is hard to get them all in one area. So I tried to gather everyone outside for the announcement. We were on the patio at Flight, few minutes before midnight. We were all out there and Tammy tells me, “Let’s go inside, I’m cold”. Lol, my plan is falling apart already. I managed to keep her outside long enough for the countdown.
Nervousness set in again. The whole night I had the ring in my fingers because I was so scared that I would lose it and was anticipating it all night. So right before the countdown reached to one, I kneeled down on one knee and took her hand and put the ring on her finger, and asked her “ Will you marry me?” It was a good night and a night I would never forget. I hope she was surprised. My paparazzi came through and they were able to take good pictures. Thank you to all that contributed and making sure that this night went well.
The good things in life are worth waiting for.
aww..that was sweet. lol..I love the part about Mikes..and the first ring was beautiful!
By: tammyandphat on March 30, 2010
at 1:41 am
This was the best story ever! I never knew about the first proposal, but I remember when Phat told me he had a crush on Tammy back in high school. I told him he’d never have a chance. Heehee–no just kidding. Very very happy for the both of you. I think the story of your relationship is something very few people can only hope of achieving. Cheers!
By: David Bui on March 30, 2010
at 2:15 am
Cheers David! I hope you and Yolanda can make it to our wedding! 😀
By: Tammy on March 30, 2010
at 6:07 am
What can i say, i am a lucky guy.
By: tammyandphat on March 30, 2010
at 5:56 pm
aww..I’m a lucky gal 🙂
By: Tammy on April 2, 2010
at 5:40 am
Aww tears….no really your story really brought tears to my eyes. It is an incredibly beautiful love story!
By: Linh on April 2, 2010
at 3:38 am
awww I love you Linh!!!
By: Tammy on April 2, 2010
at 5:41 am
WOW, I am very happy for you! This is an awesome love story!
By: Delma on June 10, 2010
at 4:24 pm
Thank you Delma!! ❤
By: tammyandphat on June 15, 2010
at 6:03 am
mQuGO0 Good point. I hadn’t thought about it quite that way. 🙂
By: Essence on April 9, 2011
at 8:50 am
hi7HR1 vszaxhmuptek
By: vknrpwdn on April 21, 2011
at 3:52 pm