Ean's Side: During the summer of 2008, Jodi was at home in Jamaica, and I was here in Maryland. We had not even discussed the idea of visiting each other during that time of separation since it was so short. However, before she even left, I had planned to surprise her with a visit the first week of July.

My flight arrived in Kingston around 8:00 pm Wednesday, July 2. Through the aid of her parents, Jodi “happened” to be at her aunt’s house when I arrived. Her mother picked me up from the airport and took me to their house where she helped me get things set up.

Here was the plan. At various locations throughout their house, 2 carefully selected candles were placed. The 2 candles were accompanied by a poem explaining how the chosen candles signified Jodi and I during each successive phase of our relationship. At the end of each poem, instructions were given as to where in the house she could find the next phase.

The fifth phase indicated that she should go to her room for the next phase. When she opened the door to her room, I was there with a single candle having two wicks. One wick was lit, while the other was waiting for approval. After a few words, on bended knee, I asked Jodi for her hand in marriage. And guess what … She said YES!!!

We then lit the second wick of the single candle, signifying our entrance into the sixth phase of our relationship, Engagement.

Jodi's Side: I had no idea Ean would come visit me in Jamaica during the summer. When my aunt asked me to go to her house, I didn't think anything of it. Then, my dad came to pick me up. As soon as we got home. I saw a note on the door, apparently from Ean. My dad "conveniently" disappeared. I entered the house and saw candles and read the poem, leading me to different rooms in the house. The entire time, I still didn't think that Ean was there. I just thought that he wanted to give me a gift, and that my parents did it on his behalf. When I finally got to the note that said, "Go to Jodi's room for the last phase", I had a feeling that I'd find him in my room. Sure enough, when I got to my room, I pushed open the door and fond him sitting on my bed. I started to jump up and down. I wasn't sure if I should scream or not, because I knew my parents were there. Then, Ean got on one knee, said what he had to say and I said "YES!!!!"