Friday, September 7, 2012

Our Engagement Story

engaged sapphire ring

The day was August 25, 2012.
The location was McCall, Idaho.
The rest is history.

We woke up early to enjoy one of our first Saturdays off in a long time.
We had driven up to McCall, Idaho the evening before.
It was the weekend before my 26th birthday
and we were determined to take some time to ourselves
before the super-busy week we were about to experience for my sister's wedding.

We cruised over to The Pancake House, one of McCall's favorite breakfast eateries.
Daniel ordered a single plate-sized pancake and some eggs, 
and I ordered one scrambled egg and one cinnamon roll—
that was the biggest cinnamon roll I had ever seen.

After we were thoroughly stuffed, we ventured down to the North Shore of the Payette Lake.
It was time for some kayaking up the Payette River.
We set off in a tandem kayak, scouting as hard as we could to spot a moose or bear.
The water was as calm as glass, and it was early enough that we were the only people on the river.
We laughed, we paddled, and we took in the sights.

Two hours later, we moseyed back over to the lake shore.
On the way, we ran across a doe and her two fawns, and they were the sweetest little trio.
As we strolled down through Legacy Park,
we did a bit of people watching—our favorite thing.  
We watched the rough-and-tough's finishing their triathalon, the sailboats breaking way through the water, and the townspeople bargaining in the market.

Daniel stopped me when we were right in the middle of the park.
We were standing at a little info station that described the history of the old mills in McCall.
He pointed to the sailboats and wrapped his right arm around me.
I was trying to hurry us along to get my coveted Diet Coke at a lakeside restaurant.
He whispered, "Shhhh. Just look at how beautiful it is out here."
It stopped me in my tracks and I took in the moment with him, looking out over the lake.
Before I knew what was happening, his free arm came out in front of me, 
his hand holding a little red box with a beautiful sapphire ring inside.

Without thinking, I immediately buried my head into his chest. 
"Could this be happening? Is this real?" I thought to myself.
The tears welled up in my eyes.
I pulled back to look at him, and he asked me,
"Aunie, will you marry me?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" I said and grabbed him with all of my might.

We hugged and hugged until I looked at him and said,
"Are you going to put that on me, or what?!"
He took the ring out of the box, wiggled it over my knuckle, and stepped back to take a look.
A perfect fit.
I didn't give him another moment to see it.
I hugged him and hugged him and hugged him.
He whispered into my ear the sweetest thing I've ever heard.
He said, "Can I take care of you?"

A passerby stopped and took a couple photos for us.
I don't think anyone saw him propose.
It was our little moment together.
Just the two of us.

After the initial shock wore off, we began to walk.
I needed to sit.
As soon as we found a bench, I began to cry.
I was just so excited.

We wandered over to the lakeside restaurant,
and ordered a Diet Coke for me, and a Coke for him, and a cheese crisp to share.
We called each of our family members to tell the good news.
The only ones who had known were his parents.
Everyone was excited.

We spent the rest of the day wandering around the lake,
walking through an art show, lounging under a shady tree,
and enjoying our time together.

That evening, we went to a Parrot Head live music event at the Mile High Marina.
My dad announced our engagement over the mic,
the musician dedicated "A Whiter Shade of Pale" to us as we took the floor for a romantic dance
(which really is a song about seasickness, not a love song),
and then we danced the night away to some classic hits.

It was one of the best days of my entire life.

I'm so excited for what this new life with Daniel by my side will bring.
I know that marriage is filled with trials and tribulations,
but our marriage will also be filled with so much love.
As a couple with a marriage that will be centered around God,
we will have no stronger bond together than Him.

This is only the beginning.
There is no end in sight.

For all the fun photos from that day, click here and here.

53 comments:

Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire said...

So sweet! Congrats again, Sapphire Sister!

Kym @ Travel Babbles said...

Mmmm I love engagement stories, they always put the biggest smile on my face :) Congrats again and I absolutely love your ring...and those photo crashers in the back ;)

Unknown said...

Dawwww! Congrats!

When Nick proposed to me, I cried like a freakin' baby. I always thought I would be stoic, but NAY. He did it in front of his whole family at Christmas after all of the presents had been opened. I never expected. EVER.

I am so happy for you!

Stesha said...

this story gave me tears, I am so happy for you!!!

xxhttp://classicandbubbly.blogspot.ca/2012/09/birds-who-sing.html

Anonymous said...

Aww I'm welling up. That is such a sweet moment for you two. Congrats!

Unknown said...

This is such a beautiful engagement story. And him asking to take care of you?! I am so happy for both of you and the future that God has in store for you marriage. Congratulations again!

Francis said...

Congrats on your engagement. :) Such an exciting time.

Niken said...

oh my!
congrats again Aunie!!!

Unknown said...

That is the sweetest story Aunie! Congratulations again :)

xoxo,
Joelle

jackie said...

aww so happy for you! I'm glad you guys had the whole day together to just reconnect and then this happened! seems perfect :) congratulations again.

Jay said...

Aw this had me tear up a little.

"Can I take care of you?"

One of the sweetest things he could have said!

Congratulations again!

Kasey said...

yayyyy! so exciting and such a sweet story, congrats :D

Queer Christian Collective said...

Congrats my dear :) I'm so excited for you. Oscar finally asked me out the 26th, so I share in your excitement of the future!

xx Elise

Allyssa said...

Awww. I'm so happy for you Aunie. Congrats!

Jess said...

Awww, this is such a sweet engagement story! So excited for your new adventure with your love! Marriage is truly wonderful!

Elisha said...

AWH. AWH. AWH. I WANT TO CRY!!

bobbi said...

Engagement stories make me super teary in a way usually only cute puppy videos can! Congrats, love! Sending you lots of well wishes!

Selma said...

That's such a beautiful engagement story! That feels like everything just fits, you know? Like it couldn't have been any other way. You look so happy together :) Congratulations to you both!

pwn3rd said...

Ah, storybook proposal!! (: So Sweet!

Shaina Longstreet said...

That is the sweetest story. I love the part where he asked if he could take care of you. He sounds like a keeper. Congrats again friend!! Thanks for sharing the story. :)

Britni Alexis said...

This makes me so happy!! You guys are too sweet! :) Marriage is filled with ups and downs, but a whole lot more of the ups than the downs!

Anonymous said...

Aunie I'm SO happy for you. What a sweet proposal!

Baylee said...

That's so sweeeeetttt! Damn he did good on the ring. First of all how unique/beautiful it is and then it fit perfect!? So cool!!!!! I love the story! Good for you writing it down while it's still fresh. A day you definitely don't want to forget. Thanks for sharing! Made my heart melt!!! :)
*Happy Friday!*

Christi Lynn said...

congrats! that is the cutest story :) the thought of it made me tear up just a little! haha how fun!

Kelly { MessyDirtyHair } said...

awwwww what a sweet story! congrats again love! the ring is BEAUTIFUL!!!! so happy for you! XO

Em said...

I am going to cry!!!! this is adorable:){tears}
Em;)

Taylor Grace said...

What a story. And what an exciting time in life. Hope you are soaking in every last bit!

Jamie said...

OMG that made me cry! I am so happy for you Aunie :) Like, for real!

<3 Jamie

Sarah @ The Not Quite Military Wife said...

Congratulations on your engagement! That is a touching story, enjoy your engagement before it's over!

Lily said...

This is the most lovely story...ever.. i like the whispering part:) that was totally cuuuuute!

ahhh congratulations again you guys<3
As long as you guys keep God in the center, you'll be fine:)

Katie said...

awww what a sweet story. Congratulations again!

Durante said...

This is so beautiful; your writing is so flawless; I can imagine it, and it's worth tearing up over. You guys are going to fit so well!

(He never asked your Father for permission?)

Kristen Victoria said...

I love that it was just the two of you! So special and so sweet! I'm so glad someone took photos :)

Hima said...

Sapphire is my birthstone, I think :) Aunie this was such a beautiful story! You really do have a gift for writing! Congratulations!!!

<3Hima

Unknown said...

fantastic story. thanks for sharing! and your ring is stunning!

Sarah said...

I definitely had tears in my eyes while reading this!! Congratulations!!

Whitney said...

What a sweet story! Congrats again, love!

Allyson McGuire said...

Congratulations...again! This is the sweetest story!

Clarissa said...

What an awesome day! I love engagement stories and I'm so glad someone was there to snap photos! :)

Clarissa

{Grace} said...

Awwwwww.... such a cute story!!!!!!!!

Chelsea Olivia said...

Congrats again Aunie, so sweet :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my.. this is so sweet! What an amazing day!! So so so happy for you.

Niki {Glossy Blonde} said...

I'm so excited for you!!! You deserve all the happiness that life can bring. Sappy yes but true! xoxo

Chelsea said...

What a special day. I am so happy for you that you have found YOUR happiness!

PS) The "Can I take care of you?" line made me tear up! Beautiful.

Priya said...

Ah I loved reading this!! Thank you for sharing this story! Seriously, parts of this were SO sweet that I felt overly emotional. I'm so happy for you two :)

perfectly priya

Jennifer M. said...

Oh how awesome! Congratulations!! You two seem very happy together. :)

Desiree said...

this made my heart smile so much, to know how happy you are!

this is your story that was written long before we knew it was going to happen... <3

IdahoWildflower said...

Wishing you both an eternity of love & happiness!

IdahoWildflower said...

Wishing you both an eternity of love & happiness!

Lublyou said...

eeeee congrats! we just moved to Idaho this summer and I'm so excited you had some good moments here!

Meg said...

Soo cute! Congratulations!! Loving your blog! Xo
megthecoolgirl.blogspot.com

Cat said...

Yay.yay.yay. I'm so happy for you. I've been gone for a while, for various reasons, and this is such a fantastic way to come back. A million congratulations

Unknown said...

omg I'm a sucker for these kinds of stories! So happy for you! at the part where he asked if he can take care of you I almost cried! x

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