Mariann Albright had given up on Dallas and men. By November 2003, she was ready to return to her native Oregon, determined to live happily ever after with her extended family, "a Chihuahua and a lot of cats." When she couldn't get out of her lease until the next August, she decided not to sit at home.

Not looking: On Jan. 28, 2004, Mariann ventured out for fine food, wine and conversation with Single Gourmet DFW, which holds upscale dining and culinary events for single professionals.

At night's end, she told executive director Ed Bamberger, "If you ever need any help at events, I would love to help you. I'm really good at this."

It just so happened that Ed needed help the next weekend in

Fort Worth.

Conversation flowing: When Mariann met Ed at his house, she immediately bonded with his dog. Then, on the drive to and from Fort Worth, something clicked.

"There were so many things where our lives had kind of paralleled each other," says Mariann, who works in cancer research at U.S. Oncology. "He was just so warm, such a nice person and easy to talk to."

They talked until 3 a.m., discovering their mutual love for dogs, fine food, wine and cooking.                             

"It just felt good being with her," he says. "We really enjoyed each other's company."                     

When you're not looking: Even though Ed says he never dates clients, "it just happened, and it was right. It was absolutely right."

And, by March, Mariann's Oregon plans were thrown out.

Romantic times: Ed surprised Mariann with a trip to Santa Fe, N.M., for her 50th birthday that April. And for the next several months, they enjoyed nights at the symphony and trying out new restaurants.

Preparing for the proposal: Ed and Mariann found the right ring just days before a Caribbean cruise over Thanksgiving 2004.

But sizing the ring in time and getting it through customs had Ed jumping through hoops. With some quick thinking, he had it Fed-Exed to the ship.

A perfect proposal: Once onboard, Ed started acting strange. "Our first night in port was at Freeport, and all of a sudden Ed says, 'I'm not feeling well. I need some time to myself.' I had no clue what was going on," says Mariann, now 52.

"I was so mad at him. All I could think was, 'He doesn't want to be with me. He wants time to himself.' I was so upset."

Mariann didn't realize that Ed, who excels in event planning, was lining up everything for the proposal at a formal dinner.

He made sure the maitre d' had the ring, the string quartet knew their exact cue to play "Night and Day," and the seating was just so.

"Two more times I left her because I wanted time alone, and she was going nuts," says Ed, 62.

Popping the question: When their waiters brought the first entree, they lifted the silver lids in unison. Ed had soup; Mariann had a ring box.

"And she screamed," he says.

"I was so shocked when I saw that ring," she says.

"The tears came and the whole bit. That's when he said, 'Will you marry me?' And I said, 'Of course I will.' And everybody applauded around us. I was just really surprised."

The wedding: Ed and Mariann eloped to Reflection Bay Golf Club on Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev., on May 30, 2005. They had a reception in Dallas in mid-June. Their neighbor, who works for the Food Network, catered all the food. A perfect celebration for a couple who met through a mutual love of fine food and wine.

A deep connection: Ed still thinks it's ironic that they found each other when they weren't looking.

"So many singles try so hard for things to happen, and it doesn't work that way." Says Mariann: "My mother says, 'It's like you guys have been married forever. It's like you've always known him.' "