I glance around and see that a lot of people in the crowd are noticing what’s going on and turning their attention our way.

“I know I messed up, and you were right to call me out on my crap. But I refuse to accept that this is the end of us. In the short time I’ve known you, you’ve made me feel a way I didn’t think was possible. Something I’ve never felt before, something I know I’ll never feel again if I let you go.”

Andrew steps forward and takes my hand. I don’t pull away. I can’t. I’m lost in his gaze and in this crazy thing he’s doing in front of all these people. I mean, if he’s doing this, he has to be over the past, right?

“For too long, I let the past rule the present, and I want you to know that I am done with that. I’m done with being afraid and second-guessing what I think you feel for me. I’m done with caring whether I’m being vulnerable in front of other people or not, and I’m done with holding back. The holidays used to make me think of the worst time in my life. Now, they make me think of you, which in case you haven’t figured it out yet, means that I’m thinking of the best time of my life because Christmas is when I fell in love with you.” He smiles so brilliantly it takes my breath away.

I hear a few awws in the crowd, but I can’t look away from this man who holds my whole heart.

“I once asked you what you loved about Christmas and what made it so great. You had your list of reasons and they all made sense, but I want you to know that I finally figured out what makes Christmas great to me. Having someone to share it with. And having someone in my life I love so much that her joy brings me greater joy.”

He holds the microphone out to my brother, who takes it and keeps it close to Andrew’s mouth as he gets down on one knee in front of me.

All the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh and my hands fly up to cover my mouth.

“MacKenzie Alisha Montgomery… I had to ask your brother your middle name, by the way.” He winks, and I chuckle. “Will you do me the greatest honor of my life and agree to become my wife? I cannot imagine my life without you in it, and I refuse to celebrate any more Christmases without you by my side.”

He pulls a ring box out of his coat pocket and opens it, revealing a gorgeous large cushion-cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds on a thin band.