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Who knew a single e-mail would change my life forever, but it did and I could not be happier. Here is our story.

How We Met: On the night of May 5, 1999, I was chatting on ICQ with Theresa (and a few other friends) when I decided to send her an e-mail. Although I do not recall the exact wording of the e-mail, I believe it went something like this:

"Theresa, I don't know if you've noticed but I like you a lot. However, if you do not like me or are not ready for a b/f yet, just let me know." (you get the picture)

Theresa recalls reading the e-mail, being completely shocked, and saying out loud, "Oh, my God!" Her roommate walked up behind her, read my e-mail, and said: "Ohh... he likes you!"

Prior to that night, I did what I could to get her to notice me. One time, when she was sick, I insisted on meeting her at her dorm (Blanton) and walking with her to her class (ECJ). While she was in class, I went about my errands and then met her up after class and walked with her back to her dorm room. I even heated up chicken soup in my dorm room microwave (in Jester West) and brought it to her to eat.

However, she was not picking up on the subtle hints I leaving for her, so I decided to take a more direct approach. With that, we go back to the night of May 5, 1999 and my e-mail. Looking back, it was pretty lame to ask a girl to be your girlfriend through an e-mail, but my thought was: if I was going to open up my heart and put all my feelings on the table, I wanted to be shielded just in case I get rejected. The firewall provided me that protection. And the rest, as they say it, is history.

The Proposal: I asked Theresa to marry me on Christmas Eve/Day in 2005. It was after her family's annual Christmas party at her parents' house. My plan was to ask her in front of her entire family (relatives and all), but I was so nervous. So, just before I left, I asked her to walk me to my car - which I never do. I then asked my brother, Phu, to wait for me in the car. Finally, 6 years and 8 months after that fateful night in May, I popped the question: "Theresa, I love you - always have, always will. Will you marry me?" I could tell that she was completely shocked and taken by surprise, because I recall asking her: "Well?" She finally said, "Yes!"

The picture with us and Christie was taken at the Christmas party ('05).

The Engagement: Thanksgiving of '06 (11/25) marked a milestone in my life as Theresa and I formally announced our engagement to our families and closest friends. It was a traditional Vietnamese ceremony in which my parents had to ask her parents for their permission for me to marry her.

My gift-bearing entourage included Phong & Phu (my two brothers), Josh and Josiah (Josh's brother), David, Chanh ("Karate"), Dien (my cousin), and Joe (my nephew). Theresa's gift-receiving entourage included Christie (her sister), Jenny and Ria, and her aunts and cousins.

I fought back tears a few times during the ceremony: (1) while I was waiting for Theresa to make her grand entrance and when she actually did, and (2) when we offered our parents tea. It was a beautiful ceremony and Theresa looked absolutely gorgeous that day! After the ceremony was over, everyone enjoyed great food at the reception as Theresa and I made our rounds to thank our families and guests and everyone who made that day so special.

Our wedding date is May 26, 2007, in Houston (reception at the Kim Son on Bellaire).