This week, Evelyn and Omar are our returning champions for the third week in the row. Our rules state that you can only win for four weeks so this is their last week? Will they win for a fourth time or will a new couple take the title?  Read the stories and vote for your favorite. You can vote once a day until Friday at 12:05am. The results will be posted later that day!

1. Evelyn Protano & Omar Abdelhamid
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Date: February 13, 2010

Evelyn & Omar

Evelyn writes:
Omar and I got engaged the night before Valentine’s Day. For this story to make sense, you need to know that Omar and I have a thing with penguins, which started when he bought me a giant stuffed penguin when I was having a rough time at work. It’s been a running joke ever since.

Anyway, Omar said he didn’t want to wait to exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day, and suggested that we exchange gifts right then. Omar gave me three bags, one small, one medium, and one large. I opened the small bag, and it contained a set of penguin nesting dolls! In the middle of the first set of nesting dolls was a note that said, open bag number 2.

In the second bag, was another set of penguin nesting dolls! At the middle of this set, was a note that said open bag number 3. I opened the third and largest bag, and it contained two giant penguin nesting dolls! Inside the second nesting doll, was a black box with a beautiful ring. He proposed, and I said yes.

2. Keith & Kinga Makenas
Location: Las Vegas
Date: December 28, 1999

Keith & Kinga

Keith writes:
In 1999, I booked a trip for my current wife and me to Las Vegas. I wanted to propose right away and set up for a limo to pick us up at the airport. We arrived tired after a day of work and a late flight. I could not find our limo driver for the life of me and my wife was getting impatient as she wanted to go to the hotel. No cell phone to call the company and a long line at the pay phone.

Finally, I found a limo driver standing around and he said he’ll take us. In the limo I was unable to find the ring in my bag. Finally I found it and was incredibly nervous and could only manage to hold out the ring and grunt. Surprisingly she said yes.

I was not aware that everything was shut down on the strip as the hotels prepared for the Millennium. Made sense why the trip was so cheap. Even though we’re not gamblers, we gambled the entire time and my wife only won when I was not around. Anytime I was near her she’d start losing and told me to move away, then she started winning. Today we’re very happily married with two beautiful daughters.

3. Nick & Sarah
Location: Chicago
Date: October, 2008

Nick & Sarah

Nick writes:
After four years of dating Sarah, I was ready to propose. I had recently had some business success and asked Sarah if she wanted to celebrate with a fancy dinner. It was the perfect cover. I would have the chance to prepare for the proposal while she was at work, and have everything set up when she arrived home. But on the big day, she ended up staying home from work . I attempted to feign pleasure, but suspicions were raised.

Despite her constant presence in the house, I got everything set while she was getting ready in the bathroom. I was as quiet as a mouse, running all over. The only problem was that I am rarely quiet, and raised her suspicions again as to my activities.

So, with two reasons for Sarah to be suspicious, I was convinced that she would see the proposal coming from a mile away.

We started the evening at home with hors d’oeuvres and wine. With butterflies in my stomach, I suggested that we play a little game before dinner. I had placed one-word notes around the apartment, with clues as to where the next note would be. Each note had a quality of Sarah’s that I love and appreciate. At each note, we would sit in a different room of our home and I would expound upon how wonderful she is.

After an hour and 6 notes, we were both relaxed and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. I couldn’t believe that she hadn’t realized where this was heading. I half-expected that she would throw her shaking hands to her face somewhere along the way, just like in the movies. But she never did, and just blissfully went along with the game.

At the last note, I sat on a stool that lowered me directly to eye level with Sarah.

I told her, “I knew in my gut that I loved you the first moment we met. I knew in my heart that I loved you as we traveled across the Atlantic for 3 years. And after living together for a year, I am completely and rationally convinced that I will love you the rest of my life. So, the only question that remains is, ‘Will you marry me?’.”

And just like in the movies, she threw her shaking hands to her face and could only repeat “What! Oh my god!” before finally exclaiming “Yes!”.

I gave her a simple gold band to symbolize the moment, but told her that we would choose an engagement ring together. Then, we cleaned our tear-lined faces and set off for MK, a wonderful Chicago restaurant. We spent the rest of the evening laughing and replaying the proposal.

Now that you’ve read the stories, it’s time to vote for your favorite! You can vote once a day until Friday at 12:05am. Results will be posted on Friday morning!

Do you have a great proposal story? Submit yours for a chance to win!

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