The Proposal - June 27, 2013
We met in April and our first date was gun shopping at The Firing Line on April 17th. Fast forward one month and we enjoyed our first hike together on Mount Falcon, geocaching with sassydil. We stumbled across this amazing wooden bench with a great view and wanted to take a picture here. This is also our first "couples" photo.
Now fast forward to the proposal...
Her parents have saved her great-grandmother's ring for Sarah when she got married. I had to be super sneaky in obtaining this and asking for permission to propose to (and hopefully marry) Sarah. If she knew that I asked and had the ring, it would be very difficult to surprise her. The day I went to her parent's house, she thought I was at the hospital doing my regular IV routine. I went to IVs on my off day to free this one up and told her I just slept in and read a new book we got. So, I picked up the ring and asked her parent's permission on Thursday, July 25th. Her Dad works with jewelry and was able to separate the engagement ring and wedding band, as well as smooth it out and make it look flawless. I went to Jared's and had it cleaned and it now looked brand new!
Now I have the blessing of her parents and a ring burning a hole in my pocket...
There were so many things coming up that would make a great proposal. Many people thought I would ask when we go sky-diving. I was considering asking on the highest peak in Colorado, Mount Elbert, when we hike it the last weekend in August. Many other ideas of places and times kept going through my mind but nothing stuck that wasn't too predictable or cliché. Finally, one day, the bench popped into my mind. It was special, wasn't too far (so we could visit it often) or too predictable and we already have a history there! How can I get her here without being painfully obvious? Well, she didn't know I talked to her parents or that I had the ring so I laid that on pretty thick...
I kept asking what her Dad would say. I kept bringing up that I needed to find a time to go visit her parents for one reason or another ;). I also said that I think it would be a great idea if we took another picture at that bench and do one every season or year so we can watch our growth together. She thought that was cool. Once I decided the bench was it, now when and how...
I thought I pushed wanting to hike Mount Falcon and getting a bench picture a little too much, but not knowing I had the ring, there was zero suspicion. Saying we can get some old geocaches on the trip helped out. Between the weather and being wiped out (from other hikes in the area) the day was pushed from Friday to Saturday. Saturday, we hiked even more than we did Friday and we were wiped out. I knew if I didn't do it Saturday, it might be another week to try again and then our weekends were crazy busy. So it was now or never (well, now or awhile down the road). We rested up, had some food and water, and went for it.
When we got to the bench, we saw it had been replaced. Brand new and it didn't fit quite like it did before. I liked the old one better, but this new one was nice.
I set the camera up on some rocks and set the timer. We took several pictures there. Then I tried a few other locations, setting the timer each time.
Once I found the perfect spot (in a tree) to film the proposal I switched the camera to video instead of still photos. I threw her off enough by this point she didn't notice. We chatted a little bit with good old sappy talk, and I asked her how long she would love me. I even mentioned Phred in there somewhere (you know I had to) :) I think I asked what she thought about adopting Phred. Then when the timing and the wording lined up perfect, I knelt down, pulled the ring from my pocket, and asked, "Will you spend eternity with me?" She was completely surprised! And said yes. We hugged, we kissed, we teared up, it was great! Now she knows why I was so adamant about coming here.
PROPOSAL VIDEO (no sound)
Within two minutes of asking, one of the best thunder and lightning storms began. The thunder was so loud it shook our bodies and the rain soaked us to the bone. It was like this the entire way to the car, but we didn't care. Walked the whole way and enjoyed the heavens rejoicing with fireworks and weeping angels ;) Ironically, she reminded me how earlier I said it would take a bolt of lightning for me to know if I was supposed to marry someone, well... got my answer confirmed!
NOTES:
1) Parking: Please park on the street and walk up to the house or in the field. There is a map in the pictures to show parking spots. There may be some volunteers guiding cars, not sure yet.
2) PLEASE, don't use a stamp or geo-handles on the wedding guest book or photo matte. There will be a log sheet if you want to stamp something. Please use real names and no stamps on official wedding items.
3) Punch will be provided, cake too after we slam it in each other's face.
4) Presents NOT required. Formal wear is optional as well.
5) The driveway is steep and rocky, if you need assistance or close parking let me know ahead of time.