Tiffany Amber Stockton – Real Life Romance – Part 2 of 2

Shannon here: Historical romance author, Tiffany Amber Stockton shares her proposal story, plus a chance to win a copy of Antique Dreams – book 3 of Brandywine Brides series. Comment on any post dated March 4 – 8 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: March 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Tiffany:

My husband is a gift-giver by nature. He loves to bestow just the right gifts on those special people in his life, and he often purchases gifts months in advance, or is thinking about what to purchase for someone far ahead of when he actually needs to have the gift. I love all the little things he does for me to show he’s thinking of me and is listening or paying attention, even when I don’t think he is. 
But, by far, the most romantic moment was when he officially proposed. We had a long-distance relationship, and we’d agreed to get married via phone and instant message, as well as a brief in-person conversation from a 4-day visit he made. The real moment, however, came when I spent a week visiting him and meeting his family for the first time. 
We had picked up subs for dinner and gone back to his condo. I excused myself to freshen up my contacts (the dry Colorado air had done them in!), and when I came out, the entire condo was dark, save a flickering light coming from the direction of the screened-in deck on the west side of the condo. Like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to the light, and as I moved closer, the soft strains of music could be heard. The moment I stepped out onto the deck, a string of white lights around the perimeter of the roof lit up the enclosed area. 
My eyes took in everything, from the lights to the faint sounds of cars on the street below, and from the makeshift couch that had been set up to Stuart, down on one knee, holding a little box open in my direction. I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand. Then, slowly, I approached and reached out for the ring. Before I could touch it, though, Stuart took my hand in his and said, “Tiffany, will you honor me and make me a happy man by being my wife?” 
My heart was in my throat, and the muscles prevented any sound from escaping. I could only nod, tears moistening my eyes better than any contact solution. Stuart slipped the ring from its cushioned nest, reached for my left hand and slipped the ring on my third finger. I looked down and stared. The ring was perfect. Just the type I would have picked out had I been able to go shopping with him. A single solitaire with smaller diamonds embedded in the band on either side of the stone. Simple, elegant, and beautiful. 
The ring, the lighting, the music, Stuart down on one knee. Everything about it was wonderful. And it blew me away. I had no idea he had anything like this planned. After lamenting all the missed opportunities for him to be romantic, affectionate, or make a move of any kind, he goes and does this. Amazing! To this day, it remains my favorite gesture of his. We’ll see what he has up his sleeve to top it. (grins)
A note from Tiffany: You must leave a comment on either one of the two stories provided in these posts, or answer this question, in order to be entered for a chance to win an autographed copy of Antique Dreams. Here’s the question: Have you ever lost someone very special to you? How did you heal and recover? What is one special memory you have of that person?
About Tiffany: Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author, speaker, and virtual assistant, who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. She has sold fourteen books so far and is represented by Sandra Bishop of MacGregor Literary. Learn more:  http://www.amberstockton.com/, www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberStockton, www.twitter.com/AmberStockton.
About the book – Antique Dreams, book 3 of Brandywine Brides series:  Lillian’s brother has one last request. On a cold April night as the Titanic sinks to the ocean floor, Conrad Bradenton asks his new business partner, Aaron Stone, to fulfill a final wish: that Aaron return a well-worn book to his family and take care of his sister. Aaron seeks out Conrad’s family, never imagining the depth of his commitment until he meets lovely Lillian Bradenton. Hit hard by the despair in her eyes, Aaron encourages Lillian to restore her hope by bringing a boarded-up bookstore back to life. Lillian is uncertain whether she can trust this stranger, the last link to her beloved brother. But she has faith in her brother’s ability to read people. If Conrad saw something in Aaron, maybe she will in time. Then Aaron is summoned to London, and Lillian wonders if it is too late to turn hesitant friendship into undying love.
Come back March 8th for Pamela S. Meyers!