August 3, 2000
I had started asking Bernard two months prior to his 30th birthday on August 3rd what I could get him. I was fresh out of ideas that I had not already bought him! (bike, playstation, palm pilot, etc.)

He mentioned that he wanted to watch the sunrise on his 30th birthday. "Sort of face it head on." he said. So I told him I knew the perfect spot. I made plans to go up to Twin Peaks, Red Rock, and watch the sunrise from the best spot in the city.

Bernard had brought along his portable CD player and two sets of headphones so we sat on the rock singing Frank Sinatra tunes. A couple of times we'd see a red glow of sun trying to break through. He asked me if I would do him the honor of the first dance on his 30th birthday, thinking he was talking about his party on the upcoming Saturday I said "sure," and about 10 minutes later he said okay let's dance. I said "here?

We began to dance on a flat spot on the hill. We were being pretty goofy (as we always are.) While we danced the fog started to part, the sun broke through, and suddenly we could see the Bay Bridge, the buildings of downtown, the Castro, it was amazing.

At that point Bernard told me he finally decided what I could get him for his birthday. After asking him if it was going to cost me a lot and a bit of teasing he said "I decided what I want for my birthday is I would love it if you would be my wife." at that moment he reached into his pocket and started to pull out a box. As he was dropping to his knee and starting to ask "the question" I was just stunned I followed him to the ground. He opened the box and I just hugged him, cried, laughed and finally he says "can I get and answer" and all I could do was nod! I was speechless.

He placed the ring on my finger. When I could breathe I asked him to do it again because it happened so quickly. And of course he did. And this time I spoke the word "Yes!"