The Prelude:

Having been together since September of 2003, it was around the couple's one-year anniversary that Kathlyn began assessing her man's long-term commitment aspirations. Her subtle inquires started out harmlessly: “How old would you want to be when you get married?” “Could you ever see yourself getting married?” Brad, sensing the motives behind these early questions elected to brush them aside with equally subtle replies: “You know, I've never really thought about it.” “Oh gosh, I suppose so, but I still see myself as too young to marry” and “Of course I'd love to be married… one day.”

As their relationship progressed Kathlyn escalated her queries: “Have you given any thought about one day the two of us getting married?” “When do you think the two of us will be married?” “Ever thought about proposing?” Now this, much more aggressive line of questioning, required a more strategic line of answering. Brad decided to play the familiar, if not clichéd role of ‘commitment phobic boyfriend' and again brushed her inquires off: “Ahh, that's way down the road.” “Maybe in a few years.” “How about we time it with the 2010 Olympics - How does that sound?” Kathlyn was none too impressed, little did she know that Brad already had plans for a surprise.

The Ring:

The year prior to the proposal Brad had purchased a ring for Kathlyn's birthday; he had previously spotted it and planned on buying it for her as a surprise. Instead, he balked and decided to bring her along instead to peruse the other rings and ensure that the one he liked was in line with her taste. With Brad by her side, Kat happily tried on dozens of rings and explained her tastes. All the same, Kathlyn liked best the one Brad had originally spotted, (and that was the ring she received for her birthday).

Ever the romantic, and perhaps subconsciously preparing for a day 8 months down the road, Brad memorized three very important pieces of information when it comes to buying a ring for the woman he loves, 1 – Simple yet classic styles, 2 – Prefers Princess Diamonds and 3 – Her ring finger size is a micro mini 4 ¼.

With his money saved up, and after comparison-shopping for weeks, Brad happily purchased a size 4 ¼ custom designed simple yet classically styled diamond engagement ring, all on his own, without Kathlyn having a clue.

The Right Way:

Brad had always planned on asking Kathlyn's father, a one Mr. Opina, for his blessing in asking for his daughter's hand in marriage. It was the right way: classic, respectful and courteous. Just exactly how Brad was going to ask Mr. Opina was more of a challenge.

The time came a few days prior to proposal date. Kathlyn had a dinner date with a troupe of her ex employees from her days working at TCGI. She wouldn't be home until after 9:00 pm.

At about 7 that night Brad called the Opina house, Mrs. Opina answered the phone. Upon hearing of Brad's request to visit that evening, she thought to remind him: “You realize that Kathlyn is not home tonight.” “I know, I wish to speak with both yourself and Mr. Opina, if it is all right with you.” replied Brad. Sensing something was up she agreed and after hanging up the phone notified her husband that her daughter's suitor was coming over to visit. This was unprecedented. Something was up.

Brad later reflected that he was unbearably nervous when he sat down at the kitchen table before Kathlyn's parents. He expected this rendezvous to go one of two ways, would it be either All hugs and kisses, and welcome to the family carousing or would it be A hardhearted interrogation running him down the gauntlet. It turned out to be a little bit of both.

After a good long heart to heart to heart talk Brad was graciously welcomed into the family, and Mr. Opina did indeed offer Brad his blessing. The only thing remained; Mr. and Mrs. Opina would have to keep the secret from their daughter a few days before Brad and her left on their planned weekend getaway to Whistler:

The Setting:

Romantic Weekend trip to Whistler. For Kathlyn, it was a great getaway, away from work, time with her and her honey, fine dining, romantic walks through the resort, village shopping and the exciting prospect of snowboarding for her very first time. For Brad, it was 3 days in one of his favourite places on earth, 3 days of romanticism, and hopefully the perfect moment to ask the woman he loves to marry him.

The Day:

Saturday, March 26, 2005.

The Proposal:

Brad's original idea was to propose at the official peak of Whistler Mountain, very romantic, metaphoric, ‘top of the world babe' kind of stuff. However, the day's forecast of 30 – 40 km winds at the peak combined with a very novice first time snowboarder lent for a comprise.

The time came in the early afternoon when Brad and Kat stopped to rest in a snow drift off to the side of the Papoose run on Whistler's south facing side. Brad and Kat had taken off their boards and had made snow angels, thrown snowballs and relaxed in the snow drift. They had stopped on a quiet run; no skiers were near by, for that moment, it felt as thought the lovebirds had the whole mountain to themselves. Brad thought this was the perfect time. The snow continued to fall yet the sun's rays were shooting through a few of the clouds to the south.

Brad needed to get Kathlyn's goggles and most importantly her gloves off prior to popping the question, seeing as how it is difficult to slide a ring on a finger covered by a mitten. Brad first pulled a camera out of his pocket to snap a picture of Kathlyn on the mountain, “Stand up, and I'll kneel down to take a picture of you with the mountain in the background.” Snap went the picture. The camera went into the pocket. The ring box came out of the pocket. Pop went the question.

The Reaction:

In a word, confusion.

Kathlyn later explained, “I didn't know what he was doing, I thought he needed help up from his knees, it took me a few moments to digest just what was going on. Then shock set in.” “I'm pretty sure Kat didn't understand what I was doing, she was beyond surprised, it seemed like an eternity before she responded with a "Yes” reflected Brad.

Nonetheless, the question got asked. Marriage was proposed. The answer was yes, and the overjoyed couple fell back into the snow in a loving embrace.