just remember your answer

so we were off to dc on october 12 - there were so many pictures to take and so many things to talk about -
- we went to see Monitcello (Thomas Jefferson's house),
-Joey's aunt and uncle had a little bonfire in the backyard where all of us got a little toasted
- we went to a University of Virgina football game vs. Maryland where we tailgated beforehand - we went to DC and saw the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetary, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, World War II Memorial, Washingtom Monument, the Smithsonian
- we took Joey's aunt, uncle and cousins to Bucca de Beppo that Sunday (they had never been to one) and as we were walking there, we saw a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on the way. His family was leaving on Monday afternoon so we decided to make reservations for dinner on Monday night since it would just be the two of us.
so on Sunday night I got really sad. Joey and I had always joked about getting engaged in front of Lincoln's right foot at Lincoln Memorial. Well we went to Lincoln Memorial on Sunday at about 3 in the afternoon. Although we had just joked about it, I still was wondering if it was going to happen. so as we got to Lincoln Memorial I was kind of nervous, wondering if it would really happen. There were about 100 people there taking pictures and looking at the stuff and we took our pictures and then we went about our way. I didn't get sad until we got back to the hotel room later that night. I told Joey I was sad and that I just wanted to start the rest of my life with him. He told me "don't worry. it'll happen. just remember your answer when I ask." I told him "of course, I'm going to say yes" and he said "just remember your answer." meanwhile, the ring is like 30 ft away from us in his backpack. i don't know how he kept it in!

So on Monday, we went to Ford's Theatre (where Lincoln got shot), the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where they make money) more sightseeing and ended with St. Patrick's Cathedral (there JFK's funeral Mass was held). His family left, we did some shopping and then we got ready for dinner. We started off with crabcakes and cesar salad - soooo good. I got a filet cooked medium
and he got the petite filet with shrimp - the plate sizzles with butter!
and then Joey said that he wanted to go see the monuments all lit up. His cousin, had recommended that it was nice to see all the monuments all lit up. So we went to the Metro since it would be easier.
When we got to the Metro station, we didn't know which line to take. At this point I say "it's ok if we don't go" because I'm scared of the dark. It doesn't help that one of my co-workers used to live in DC and she said to be really careful at night because it's pretty dangerous and there's a lot of bums around, so since we weren't sure where we were going, I said "it's ok if we don't go" but Joey really wanted to see the monuments at night so we went.
When we got off the Blue Line, we got out and it was completely dark and there was no one else on the streets. So again, I'm freaking out. As we walk, I'm looking around, making sure that no one is following us. We cross the street and Washington Monument is there. I said "We can just take pictures here so that we can get back on the Metro" but Joey says "No, I want to see it from there." So we start walking up and we see two guys walking down, so I think ok, maybe it's safe. There's a security guard station there and Joey says "if anything happens, run over there and get help" Great, we had a game plan if anything happened. So, again, I start freaking out. So we get to the monument and start taking pictures.
Joey takes the camera and starts taking pictures of the Capitol, the White House and Lincoln Memorial. The other ones were blurry so this is the only one I posted.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to calm myself so I sit on the floor making sure I'm panning the scene for any would-be attackers. We're there for a couple minutes and I get up and say I'm ready to go.
Joey comes up from behind me and hugs me and then he comes around to stand in front of me.
Joey: "so do you remember your answer?"
me "What?"
then Joey gets on his knee
Joey: "do you remember your answer to the question?"
me: "huh?"
then he takes out the ring and he looks at me.
I remember saying "No way!" and then I don't remember anything that he said after that. he could have said the most profound thing in the world and I would never remember. his lips were moving but I have no clue as to what he said. I just remember "will you marry me?" and him looking up at me
I'm still in shock, speechless and then I said "yes, of course!"
and we were engaged! and i started apologizing because i had been a brat the day before and was all sad when he had this planned all along! he said he thought about doing it the night before but thought better of it and stuck to his plans.

I asked him when he had asked my parents and he said that Tuesday.

Joey: "your mom started laughing when I had flowers for her.

me: you bought my mom flowers?

Joey: yeah, I had flowers for your mom and french fries for your dad.

Then I proceeded to tell Joey this story. When I came home from work on Wednesday morning, there were a dozen red roses in the front room. My dad hadn't left home for work yet so I asked my dad.

me: whose flowers?

pa: I got them for your mom

me: why?

pa: I can't get your mom flowers? I got them at Costco

me: at costco? they sell them in two dozen, how come there's only one?

pa: it was a grower's bunch.

i was like, ok, whatever.

then Joey told me that and I was like: "My dad totally lied for you!" and he started laughing.

anyway, that's the engagement story. we're looking into reception sites now and I think we have the Church confirmed. we definitely have a priest =) yay, in a year I will be Mrs. Joseph Lopez!