We want you to see the pictures, but PLEASE take the time to read the story. It IS camping related (sort of), and took some planning on Larry's part to bring you the moment on pictures.

It was September 3, 2001, Labor Day. We are both night shift nurses, and had just finished our 12 hour marathon shift. Both exhausted, we decided to go to a local camper dealer to look at campers. They were closed, however, and Holly caught a 15 minute nap in the parking lot. We drove to a bookstore to get a Sunday newspaper (leftover) to find some used campers to look at. We had seen several other used ones, and weren't impressed, especially for the price that was being asked.

We found one that was about a 20 mile out of the way drive, but decided to go anyway. Fortunately, we did, because we fell in love with the Palomino camper that you see on our camper pages. We bought it, because it was in such good shape, and the price was right. Holly actually wrote the check for it so technically it is HERS!

I had told Holly for 3 or 4 months that I REALLY wanted to go see the Nashville Sounds' last home game on Labor Day, so I got tickets, and made sure she knew I had tickets, so nothing else would be planned for the evening. She was exhausted, it being 4 in the afternoon now, and was hoping that I would say "Let's forget the ballgame and just eat at home tonight." No such thing! Her hopes were dashed! He wanted to go to the ballgame! I told her how much fun they were, and that the fireworks shows after the game were spectacular!

We went in and took our seats, plenty of time before the game started. Holly said she noticed my hands were cold, but assumed it was because I had had no sleep. NOPE! I was a little nervous. I had planned something special for Holly, and the Nashville Sounds were in on it. They told me it would happen in the middle of the 2nd inning. Well, the middle of the 2nd inning came and went, and NOTHING HAPPENED. Boy, was I getting nervous now! My plans had seemingly fallen through!

But they delivered. At the end of the 2nd inning, over the loudspeakers, we heard "My Girl" by The Temptations playing. This had been "our song" while we were dating. I called Holly's attention to it, and she just smiled and leaned on my shoulder. Then the announcer said, "Fans, if you will turn your attention to Section J, Row 8, Seat 12, you will see our Sounds Sweetheart of the Game!" An usher and usherette took her to the top of the dugout, and presented her with a huge heartbox, and a gift certificate to The Chocolate Factory, which even a surprise to me! She was surprised and had no idea how or why she had been picked, but was just happy to win CHOCOLATE!!

I had followed her to the dugout, unbeknownst to her, and I turned her around, and told her a few things. I then opened up a bag of peanuts that I had brought from home, and took out an engagement ring, knelt on one knee, and asked her to marry me. She started crying, and gave me the biggest "YES" hug possible! It was a very exciting moment for both of us, and we even got pictures AND a video of the whole event, which was played at our wedding reception.

I had planned the whole thing back in June (remember, it is September), and had to keep it quiet from EVERYBODY until then. Boy, was that hard! Also, believe it or not, I had a very difficult time finding "My Girl" on a CD for them to play, but I found it just 2 days before the event.

Maybe this narrative will help put the pictures below together for you. That is also "the rest of the story," of why we call our Palomino, "The Engagement Camper." Funny thing....we didn't use it until after the wedding!

Larry talking to Holly (with a huge smile)


Larry on one knee!!


I think this means "YES!"