June 3, 2017

Peter and the girls decided to head up to their Lake Norman condo one weekend since trips to North Carolina were always something they loved to do, especially since they enjoyed spending time with Michelle's sister Tina and her fiance Zach, their dog Bear, Michelle's best friend Leah, her husband Kyle, and their three children.

This particular trip started as any other visit to North Carolina. The one surprise Peter and Michelle had for the girls was that Tina and Zach offered to let them use their boat to enjoy a weekend on the lake while they were in Florida with Zach's family. The girls couldn't wait to get on the lake and go tubing. They loved the surprise and had an absolute blast. It truly was a great day on Lake Norman as a family.

Later that day, Leah and Kyle called Michelle to see if everyone could have dinner together. Of course they said yes as it was often hard to get schedules to line up to get everyone together. Peter, Michelle, Kendall and Kaylen along with Leah, Kyle and their three kids Karter, Sammi, and Kylea then met at Hickory Tavern in Mooresville for dinner.

It was a casual, usual dinner with friends. They ordered drinks and appetizers, and everyone was chatting about their weeks. All of a sudden, Peter said, "Michelle there is something we have been wanting to ask you." It was then that Peter got down on one knee, and along with Kendall and Kaylen, they all asked Michelle to become part of their family and marry Peter.

At first Michelle looked at Leah and Kyle in complete shock, wondering if everyone knew about Peter proposing. Then Michelle looked at the girls and asked them if they were sure they wanted her to officially become part of the family as their stepmom. After both the girls both smiled and nodded their heads in approval, Michelle then looked at Peter (who was still one knee!) and said, "YES!" The four of them hugged – all with tears in their eyes – and it was a truly wonderful moment, marking their official start as a family forever. 

Michelle was truly surprised (which is very hard to do!), and unbeknownst to her, the girls were a part of the entire process (which explained all the whispers they shared with Peter that day on the boat!) It was a special moment witnessed by Michelle's closest friends that have always been there for her, and it meant so much.

Michelle was excited to share the news to her family, which is when she also found out Peter asked her parents for their blessing to marry their daughter (awwww!). They then shared the announcement with Peter's parents, sisters Gloria and Jackie, and of course Michelle's sister Tina, and husband Zach.