James Allen News Center

There is something about proposing marriage that stirs the hearts of so many people. No, I am not talking about the engaged couple only, rather the friends, family members, work associates, neighbors and even strangers of the betrothed who hear about the engagement. Everyone has a story to tell and there are so many ears that want to hear it! The Christmas season is one of the most popular times for couples to get engaged; I`ve pulled together three whimsical yuletide marriage proposals that are certain to bring a smile to your face.

When Clint returned home from Iraq last December he learned that he could take a short leave and travel to Oklahoma to see Linda his high school sweetheart. Stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, the strapping Brigade Combat Team member of the 82nd Airborne Division had seen more than a dozen fellow soldiers killed or wounded in combat. Even though the couple had talked about marriage before his last deployment, no one expected an engagement until after the soldier`s discharge the following summer.

Two days before Christmas, the young soldier arrived unannounced at the home of Linda`s parents and learned that his girlfriend was still at work. When Linda arrived home she was in for a double surprise: her boyfriend was at the house and she found a diamond solitaire engagement ring tied to a red string hanging from the center of the Christmas tree!

Not everyone finds love at a young age. Robert was a busy tax accountant pushing the half century mark and Candace an elementary school teacher ten years younger. The couple had been introduced by friends earlier that Spring and quickly discovered that they had a lot in common including following the exploits of their favorite men`s basketball team the Seton Hall Pirates.

Just days before Christmas, Robert secured a pair of hard-to-get tickets for the Georgetown game which was being played at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. As they navigated the Route 120 approach to the arena, Robert slowed his car down and pointed to the sport complex`s matrix board which was alternating messages between game information and a flashing six word statement, "Candace, Will U Marry Me? Bob."

For some couples a marriage proposal is no surprise. Instead, it is a planned event that will take place over dinner or some other important occasion.

My cousin John had been seeing Tammy for just over four years and had showered her with many gifts including a pearl necklace, diamond earrings, but no engagement ring. It was following a Thanksgiving dinner more than a decade ago when John whispered to me that he would be proposing to Tammy on Christmas Eve. I promise you that it wasn`t my idea to stuff the ring in a bowl of popcorn while watching "It`s A Wonderful Life." Thankfully, she found the buttered ring at the bottom of the bowl before taking one last bite!

Of course, not everyone has the perfect engagement idea in mind. Therefore, it can be worth reading what others have done including the story where she proposed to him or learn how to set up a marriage proposal website. With these and other ideas in mind, you can develop your personal memory making plan that will surely win her heart this Christmas and forever!