My boyfriend and I have been dating for 3 years. I have been dying to get married since the day I met Phil! But due to finances, we put off getting engaged. On New Years Eve 2008, going into 2009, my father passed away from a heart attack at the age of 47. I was devastated! But selfishly, all I could think of was my wedding day. How I wouldn't have my Dad to walk me down the aisle, or to dance with me during the father/daughter dance. And since my Dad had no life insurance, the wedding fund that my parents were saving for me had to go towards funeral costs. For the past few years I have spent most of my time online looking at bridal websites and planning the wedding of my dreams. I even planned a trip to Ohio with my girlfriends in April to attend "The Running of the Brides" at Filene's Basement, even though I was not engaged yet. After my father passed away, Phil was wonderful! He was really there for me through all of it, and I'm not sure I could have gotten through it without him.   
      Then one day, when I was feeling really low, he came in full of smiles, got on one knee, and told me how sorry he was to never have asked my father for my hand in marriage, and although he could not afford a ring, he wanted me to know that he wants to be with me for the rest of our lives. Then he asked if I would marry him (a question I'm sure he already knew the answer to!). But to finally get asked was absolutely thrilling. And although my Dad is not here to hear the good news, I know in my heart that he will be beside me that day, full of pride looking down on his little girl on the happiest day of her life!