Well it finally happened. The best day of my life. The day when the best man I know, the guy who has changed my life for the better, asked me to marry him. It was the best proposal ever. It was more than I could ever have hoped for or imagine. We planned to take a trip to San Antonio for the 4th of July weekend. We were staying downtown at the Hilton on the Riverwalk and it was going to be just an amazing mini-vacation (so I thought.) We got to San Antonio Thursday evening and Brandon had planned for us to go to this amazing restaurant and vineyard in the hill country called
The Vineyards. 
We shared a very romantic meal with great food, wine and conversation. We talked about our life and how much we meant to each other. The restaurant part is back in this glassed in sun room and you could see the sun setting over the hills and across the vineyard.
We were the last reservation that night so by the time we were finished with our meal the place was almost empty. There were candles lit everywhere and soft music playing in the background. I thought to myself, this would be the perfect place to get engaged. I wasn't getting my hopes up though. The waiter came by and asked if we wanted dessert, and of course we did. I then came back a little bit later and said that the wait staff had prepared our dessert for us outside in the vineyard. I asked Brandon if he knew about any of this and he said it must have been because it was our first time there. Lie!!!! We were then escorted down the stairs and down a long walkway to a white table that had chocolate covered strawberries and creme brulé. The walkway was more like an atrium covered with vines that were exposed to view the night sky. It was also covered with tiny white Christmas lights. It was beautiful out there.
The waiter said to take our time and he left. It was just me and Brandon out there by ourselves surrounded by this romantic set up. My heart started beating really fast. Brandon said Jennifer I love you, I just want you to know you make me a better man and I can't imagine spending my life without you. He then proceeded to get down on one knee and said "Jennifer Elise Holmes will you marry me?" I was shocked and said "really?" and hugged him with tears in my eyes and said "Yes!" Then I saw the ring so I screamed. It was the best moment ever. I was just so thrilled and surprised. He had bought me the ring I had picked out months before and
Robert Lance Jewelers and I was so in love with this ring.
We just laughed and hugged and kissed and I was shaking and couldn't stop smiling. The waiter came back and took pictures of us. I immediately called my mom and she had already knew it was coming. Brandon had gone to both my mom and my dad to ask permission to marry me and that meant so much to me. I then called my brother who didn't believe me but was so happy for me. I called my dad and he was trilled as well.
As we were driving away we noticed that the parking lot, which is not covered in gravel but rather colored glass, was sparkling in the moonlight. It was so neat. For the rest of the weekend I was the happiest girl on earth and I couldn't stop looking at my ring. I love Brandon so much. He's the best guy I know and I love him for so many reasons. I can't wait to marry him and become Mrs. Brandon Hughes! "Jennifer Elise Hughes", I like the sound of that. Wedding details to come later, but our tentative date right now is May 30, 2009!!!!!!!!!
The Louis Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts is where I want to have the reception. It's this really neat art gallery down town across from the Civic Center. It's going to be amazing. Now I have to book these locations and start working out the details. 
I asked Brittany, my future sister-in-law, to be my matron of honor and we are both so excited about it. It's so much fun planning our weddings together. I also am asking my friend Kari in Oklahoma to be a bridesmaid and I asked my dear friend Shanda Hasse to be a bridesmaid. She is 8 1/2 months pregnant and expecting a baby boy Noah Thomas any day now. So much fun. I'm also going to ask all of Brandon's nieces to be in the bridal party. Korrie will be a bridesmaid. She's 16 and so beautiful and spunky. Alyssa is her sister and is 12 and will be a junior bridesmaid. Kymberlee his other niece who's 10 will be a junior bridesmaid as well and her little sister Ashleigh is 5 and will be my flower girl. I'm so excited. I really want it to be a family affair. All of these girls mean so much to me and I'm honored for them to serve as my attendants. I made these cards that I sent them to ask each one of them to be in my bridal party. I illustrated them and printed them myself. They turned out cute . 
I chose my colors!!!!!!!! I think. I have changed my mind about 10 times though, but I made this board of inspiration that solidified my decision. They're Chartreuse and Indigo Blue with Ivory accents. I'm so pleased about this color combo. If anyone has any ideas let me know.
