It was shortly after I first came to work at Disneyland and it was one of those experiences that just resonated why this is such an incredible place. I was coming out onstage on Main Street early in the morning. There was the normal congregation and activity that goes on and the hustle and bustle and a lot of children in the area. There was one particular group right there by the Emporium. There was a group of children. It looked like they had chaperones with them and they were handicapped children. Many of them were in wheelchairs or they were had some level of assistance and they were getting ready for the day.

They were getting organized and Minnie Mouse just happened to walk out behind them and saw them. She was on her way to somewhere but stopped and walked up behind the crowd and walked in with the children and it was just an incredible experience in seeing how in just a few minutes how she, without saying any words, was able to have a big conversation with these children and you could just tell their day was going to be just incredible. It started out that way. It probably meant an awful lot to those children. It certainly did to me. I had to go backstage because I was sobbing after that and had to compose myself. I think just the effect our characters have on so many people and touch their hearts is a big part of what we do beyond the fact that it�s a cool place and the rides and all those things too.

While I was working at Carnation Plaza Gardens in 1966-67, a friendly Imagineer would come over from the (under construction) Pirate ride for his daily ice cream cone.

One day at lunch, I was checking out what was going on in Pirates and this fellow invited me down in the ride for the most incredible walk through tour. As a result, I was late returned to my ice cream window but I didn't care because it was to be my most memorable day working at Disneyland.

Many years later, while reviewing my Pirate ride souvenir book, I was amazed that the fellow who took me through was none other than Fred Joerger. We were now working on Big Thunder together and had been neighbors at Walt Disney World during the construction. Neither of us had connected our previous encounter, and you can imagine Fred's surprise the day I told him the story of my first Imagineering adventure, and he realized I was the kid in the stripped ice cream suit!

Rebekah knew the ring I was giving her (her grandmother's ring) was being resized and wouldn't be ready until Saturday. Since I would be with her most of Saturday, I didn't think she'd expect anything. In addition, our two families were going to meet each other for the first time on Sunday, so I thought she might expect it there instead.

Rebekah had wanted to go to the Blue Bayou (a fancy restaurant in Disneyland) on Saturday night. I went there Saturday morning to get reservations, but the earliest time available was 8:45pm. I got it anyway, just in case. But I also got dinner reservations at Granville's, an even fancier restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel we'd been wanting to go to, for 6pm. While at Disneyland to try to get the Blue Bayou reservations, I ran into John, a good friend of ours. I told him my plan and asked him to take pictures and gather as many of our friends as possible for the occasion.

After that, I went to pick up the ring and went to church at 2pm where I met up with Rebekah. By coincidence, her father was speaking at our church that day (usually her family goes to a different congregation than we do), so I was able to inform the whole family of the plan and have them there as well. And since we'd be going to a fancy restaurant for dinner shortly after church, we'd still be dressed up Everything was set up perfectly.

We went to dinner and had a marvelous time. After dinner we went to Coke Corner at Disneyland where I planned on doing it immediately. To my surprise, almost no one was there. It turns out Rod (the piano player there, and part of the reason I chose this spot) was on his dinner break. So instead we went to Carnation Gardens to watch the dancing. Over there I ran into some friends of ours and I told them (out of earshot of Rebekah), I'd be doing it as soon as we went back.

When the time arrived when the piano player would be back from dinner, I asked Rebekah if we could go back. But I asked if we could go visit the Snow White's Wishing Well first. I knew she might suspect I was going to proposed to her there. My real reason was to throw her off, and allow for our friends to get back to Coke Corner before us.

Finally, we went back to Coke Corner. Lots of our friends were gathered there, but that was nothing unusual. We got there, sat down at the table right next to the piano, and I waited. As the song being played came to a close, I gave the signal to John, told Rebekah I'd be right back and I got up and went into another room. After the song, John gave the signal to Rod and he began to play Someday My Prince Will Come. I reappeared, Rebekah saw John and Rod smiling, and she knew what was up. I got down on one knee, held her hand, and said the following (at least I intended to say the following, but I was so nervous, I'm not really sure what I said):

In November of last year, in this very spot, you came over to me and said "are you Doobie?", and we met for the first time.

On December 15, we met here before going to see the Candlelight Processional where for the first time, we really got to talk.

From then until April we sat here nearly every Saturday and Sunday getting to know and love each other.

On April 13, in this very spot, we officially began our relationship.

This spot, The Table as it's called, has been very important to our relationship. And at this spot, with family and friends around, and with this ring passed down from your grandparents, I wanted to ask you to spend the rest of your life with me.

Rebekah, will you marry me?