We planned a trip to Jamaica for 7 days in Aug of 2015 with a group of friends and a couple family members on his end. It was a BIG scare for me leading up to this vacation as much as I was excited to visit an island I had never been to.  I was also terrfied of not making it, I started my first dose of chemotherpy and my Doctor was strict.  He didn't want me to go outside of the Country because I was at high risk of getting sick or blistering from the sun. Some way some how Kevin convinced my Doctor to let me go. So here we are 5 day into vacation, he reserved us a nice dinner on the beach (Which was something in our previous vacation we wanted to do), so I thought nothing of it, besides we are about to eat good and have one on one time with one another (Something we never get). As cocktails are getting served and candles are getting lit, a gentlmen told us that our dinner might get rained out and since I didn't know anything I was trying to reschedule a better day for us to enjoy our romantic dinner, since its something we've always wanted to do, but Kevin insisted on plan B and had them move us under a Gazebo. As we walked down a flight of stairs there were candles guiding a walk way to our table the most prettiest view ever. As we sat down at our table the server comes over and serves us the 1st item of our 5 course meal.

Kevin & I carried on normal converstation while eating, then a photographer comes to our table asking if we would like a couple photos taken (Which is normal whenever we our on vacation) so we proceed and he took some at our table, Kevin then ask the photgrapher if we could get a couple shots on the beach area where the water is located so we walk over as i begin to pose, Kevin then started whispering in my ear all this cute stuff and the whole time im thinking like "okay this can wait" as he got on one knee and asked for my hand the photgrapher is snapping away. I was so shocked thinking how the Hell did we cross country and me not even have a slightest clue on what was going on. Lets just say I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world. He made sure we were dressed nice for our date, he showed up with a dozen of roses, he made sure my nails were done, & on top of it all, had a photgrapher capture it. Geeez nothing in the World could top this week of enjoyment it was Perfect from the day we arrived till the day we left.

This was one of the most nerve wrecking things that I have ever done for sure. The most difficult part was trying to keep it a secret from Alissa. Plus me having the extra stress of relying on others to make this all happen, but they did an amazing job delivering. Even though we missed our flight because Adam was not at the airport in time to check in, I refused to jump on the plane without him because he was the one who had Alissa's ring. We end up getting lucky enough to catch the last flight out to Jamaica. We finally arrived in Jamaica around 11pm that night. I remember the transporation to the resort was long, and I so much would have rather been with our group of 20+ in the daylight, but we were just happy that we made it to the resort safe and sound.

Leading up to the big day, I was running around like a Chicken with my head cut off. Trying to make sure everything was set in stone for exactly what I was expecting out of the ones that were helping me to make this all happen. I booked the photographer, picked out the dinner menu and had to let the coordinator know where exactly I wanted the table to be set up at. The night of the big day I thought it would be a good idea that I get ready in my cousin Adams room and Alissa gets ready in our room. Before picking her up at our room I ran and purchased some flowers to start the night off right.  I finally got to the room and gave her the flowers and we began walking to our spot where we were supposed to meet for the evening. Then, all of a sudden I felt rain drops thinking maybe this is a sign this shouldnt happen (lol jk never had this thought).  Alissa was suggesting to do it another day so I had to think of something quick since I already had this planned.  I had them move the table under a cover area so we wouldn't get wet it was just as nice, they had candles lit, music playing it was very romantic. As we started  to eat, I thought to myself this photographer better hurry up so we can get this out of the way,  and as soon as i was thinking it there he was asking "would you guys mind if I take a couple photos?"  of course we didn't mind. I asked him would he mind taking some shots on the beach with the water in the background.  He said that he didnt mind at all. So we got up and started walking over to the beach at this point my knees are getting weak and I'm thinking to myself it's crunch time.

As he begins taking our photos I turn to Alissa and begin giving her my speech that I didnt even prepare for. She looks at me and says you have to look the photographers way I said "no he is part of this" she was still lost at this point and asked "what do you mean?" I then dropped to one knee. Surprisingly she said "yes", and was completely blown away. She kept asking "how did you pull this off"?. As we were walking back to the table all I remember saying to myself "Kevin you son of a bitch you pulled it off" by Alissa's reaction I knew I did a great job.

I always told Alissa from the beginning that this can be something great and its been nothing but that. I also never thought I would ever get married, especially to a friend I never looked at in that kind of way. I asked Alissa to marry me not because the amount of love we share for one another or because we had a child. I asked her to marry me because I know how strong of a person she is. I seen her down to the lowest of lows and she overcame it all and I know she was so powerful and can accomplish anything if she sets her mind to it. She taught me so much along the way and she has helped me become a better man than I could've ever imagined. We push one another,when one is in doubt. We strive better together. Most importantly we both know that AS A TEAM ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!