Dallas Mavericks Victory Parade

I arrived at the American Airlines Center at about 6:30am. I spent all morning outside covering the tens of thousands of Mavericks fans. The parade didnt show up til just after 11a. Then spent the next four hours waiting and photographing the celebration inside the arena for season ticket holders and sponsors. 

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry raises the Larry O'Brien Trophy for fans during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry kisses the Larry O'Brien Trophy during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry raises the Larry O'Brien Trophy for fans during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Jason Terry shows off his Larry O'Brien Trophy tattoo during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban carries the Larry O'Brien Trophy to the stage during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki high fives fans during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki waves to fans during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki wipes tears away from his face during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki touches the Larry O'Brien trophy during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson answers questions during an interview during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Maverick forward Shawn Marion shows off his dance moves during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Maverick center Ian Mahinmi yells out "Lets Go" during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban takes in the fans appreciation for him during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wipes a tear away during the Dallas Mavericks Victory Celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks fans sit on top of a parking garage and a fence while waiting for the Dallas Mavericks Victory Parade on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks fans sit on top of a parking garage and a fence while waiting for the Dallas Mavericks Victory Parade on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks fans sit on top of a parking garage while waiting for the Dallas Mavericks Victory Parade on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Thousands of fans pack the area around the American Airlines Center during the Dallas Mavericks Victory Parade on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy up for fans during the Dallas Mavericks Victory Parade on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki waves to thousands of fans during the Dallas Mavericks Victory Parade on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy from the American Airlines Center balcony for fans gathered at Victory Plaza during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)DALLAS, TX - JUNE 16: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki waves to fans during the Dallas Mavericks Victory celebration on June 16, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)

Mavericks defeat Thunder and I propose to Lindsey

As far as Lindsey knew Tuesday night I was working for the AP as a third photographer, shooting from the TV platforms. In reality I was there to propose to her after the game in the photo workroom surrounded by our photographer friends, who were all in on it. After most of everyones images had been filed I called Lindsey into the workroom to help me find a "missing" CF card. I got down on one knee and started to look through my gear bag, then in my pocket. I pulled the ring out, secured in a CF card case, and said "oh, here it is!" I think the look on her face tells the rest of the story.

Dallas Mavericks take on the Oklahoma Thunder at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Mavericks' Tyson Chandler (6) beats Oklahoma City Thunder's Serge Ibaka (9) for the tip off at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas won 121-112. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) dunks on the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas won 121-112. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Mavericks' JJ Barea (11) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder's Nazr Mohammed (8) at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas won 121-112. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Mavericks' Brendan Haywood (33) battles Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas won 121-112. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Mavericks' Jason Kidd (2) looks for room against Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook (0) at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas wo 121-112. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook (0) reacts to a foul called against him in from of (from right) photographers Tony Gutierrez, Tim Sharp, Ralph Lauer, Ron Jenkins and Louis DeLuca during game one of the NBA western conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas won 121-112. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Photographers Ralph Lauer, right, and Ron Jenkins, left, photograph Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) as he leaves the court after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas won 121-112. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Fort Worth Star-Telegram photographer Ron Jenkins photographs Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) as he leaves the court after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. Tuesday, May 18, 2011. Dallas won 121-112.(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Freelance photographer Brandon Wade, left, proposes to Lindsey Perkins in the photo workroom after the Dallas Mavericks / Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx., Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (AP/Tony Gutierrez) Freelance photographer Brandon Wade, left, proposes to Lindsey Perkins in the photo workroom after the Dallas Mavericks / Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx., Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (AP/Tony Gutierrez) Freelance photographer Brandon Wade and Lindsey Perkins share a kiss after getting engaged in the photo workroom after the Dallas Mavericks / Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx., Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (AP/Tony Gutierrez) Fort Worth Star-Telegram staff photographer Paul Moseley hugs freelance photographer Brandon Wade and Lindsey Perkins in celebration after Wade proposed to Perkins in the photo workroom after the Dallas Mavericks / Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx., Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (AP/Tony Gutierrez) Lindsey Perkins rushes to hug AP Photo Editor Kim Johnson Flodin after freelance photographer Brandon Wade, not pictured, proposed in the photo workroom after the Dallas Mavericks / Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx., Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (AP/Tony Gutierrez) Lindsey Perkins reacts in disbelief after Brandon Wade, left, proposed in the photo workroom at the American AIrlines Center after the Dallas Mavericks / Oklahoma City Thunder game Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (AP/Tony Gutierrez)