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| Taken just after he popped the question – misty eyes and all! |
Saturday morning started out just like any other morning. We were visiting his brother in Virginia and had decided to wake up early that morning to make the drive to Shenandoah National Park for some hiking. After a failed alarm, a mixup with a rental car pickup, and a stop for breakfast, we were on the road about 2 hours later than anticipated, headed for Northern Virginia.
After making a few stops on the way, we arrived to the Park and started driving up the long, winding road to one of the lookouts. We made our way up the mountain to one of the higher lookouts and Mike casually asked if I wanted to get out to take a look at the valley. I obliged, even though it was about 45º with 20 mph winds, so we hopped out of the car. I think I lasted about 23 seconds before looking at him and then quickly running back to the car.
Little did I know, he was thinking about PROPOSING TO ME RIGHT THEN. Oops.
I noticed that he seemed pretty agitated getting back into the car. I, of course, had no idea that he had a ring in his pocket that he intended to use, so I figured he was just annoyed that we had made the drive all the way to the Park for it be much chillier and windier than we had anticipated – we hadn’t dressed appropriately. We started driving back down the mountain, passing a couple of overlooks along the way before we came to another one that was empty. He pulled into the parking lot and asked if I wanted to try to get some pictures, as it seemed a bit less windy at this one. We got out and found a little path that led to a more secluded, private part of the lookout. We climbed up on a huge rock and had the most beautiful view of the valley (seen below). I pulled out my phone to snap a couple pictures, at which point he put his arm around me. I thought he was just pulling me in for a hug, to keep warm. I looked at him and before I could even say a word, he started talking. He said some words and, before I knew it, he was down on one knee with a ring box in his hand, asking me if I would marry him. I can’t remember if I said “yes” or “of course” or “duh”, but whatever I said caused him to pull out that ring and slip it on my finger. I was so surprised and couldn’t believe that it had all just happened. We spent a few minutes celebrating and taking photos, before realizing how cold we were and running back to the car!
As soon as we got in the car, he started telling me the whole story of how he had planned the proposal. It was a complete surprise, so it was cool to hear about the thought and planning that had gone into the whole thing. He had been totally himself all day, so I hadn’t suspected a thing. The man can keep his cool under pressure, that is for sure!
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| The view from where we got engaged! |
We were able to celebrate with his brother and family when we returned to their house. After a couple hours there, we hopped in the car and drove to Raleigh to meet up with my sister’s family and my parents. It was so special to us to be able to see both of our families that day and celebrate with some of our loved ones. I love that he factored that into his plan!
The proposal was simple and sweet and perfectly surprising. I love that we have a special place where it happened, a place we can visit again to relive that wonderful day. Looking back on it, there was a sense of peacefulness that covered that whole day. It just feels so dang natural to be his future wife, officially, and I love that.
We loved our time of just dating and have had a wonderful 4 years together, but we’re both so excited for this next chapter. I would’ve married this guy three years ago without a second thought, but I wouldn’t change the timeline or course of our relationship for anything. Being able to share in one of life’s biggest and most exciting moments for the first time, together, has been such a blessing. He truly is one of the best humans I know and I’m honored to be able to call him my fiancé.
(I HAVE A FIANCE. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!)
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| Taken by my sister. SHE CAN DO ALL THE THINGS! |
Thank you for all the sweet words of congratulations. So many of you have expressed your excitement and it truly means the world to us!
In Christ, may you both live happily ever after ! congratulations!
Thank you!
Remember that time I made you try on a wedding dress? 😆 It was just practice!
David and I were together for 3 years and 9 months before we got engaged…worth the wait! I feel like spending that much time courting gives you the chance to REALLY know someone and enter into your marriage knowing you are truly compatible. 🙂 Congratulations to you, friend! Enjoy this time, and let me know if you need any advice!
Haha yes, I remember that! I totally agree with you – we're really enjoyed and benefited from a long time of dating! 🙂
Congratulations!!
Thank you!
Congrats Lauren! Such a sweet story ❤️ So happy for you guys!!!
Thank you!
Yay! When I saw your first announcement, I squealed! So happy for you two.
Thank you!!
Congratulations!! Such an exciting time:)
Thank you!!
Such a sweet engagement!! Congrats again!!
Thanks!!
I love it! Thank you for sharing with us! My husband proposed around this time 4 years ago and he did the same thing, as soon as we got in the car he told about all the planning he did and his thoughts and everything. So sweet!
I love that!
Congratulations! Our story is similar, full of snafus and cold weather and in the end, so worth every second! My husband and I dated for five years and got married this past September. I'm so glad we had all of that time to get to know each other and all of this time ahead of us as husband and wife. I can't wait to hear about your planning!
I love that! Congratulations to you newlyweds 🙂
Congratulations! Jess at Just Jess
Thank you!
so so so happy for you!!!
Thank you!!
BAH I just got engaged as well!!! It's such a surreal feeling, so much shock and excitement!!! i love that he planned to have your family to celebrate with too! My fiance (omg still so odd to say!!!) planned to be near my family too and it made the day so special! After 4 years as well! SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND CONGRATS! Can't wait to hear all about your planning 🙂 Love reading your blog!
SO fun! Thank you! Congrats to you!!
Oh I am so happy you shared your story!!! That was so sweet!!! I love that he factored BOTH of your families into the proposal, what a great guy! I can't wait to see all your snaps and posts about the wedding. I love weddings! =) Congratulations!!!!!
P.S. Love your blog and Dearly Box! =)
Thank you!!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you two! Such an adorable couple!
Thank you!!
Awww, I love it! I especially love how he planned it on a day that you would be seeing your families & able to share the news with them & celebrate. He did good. 🙂
He sure did!
Congratulations to you and Mike!!! Enjoy this moment and all the ones leading up to the wedding because it really becomes such a blur LOL! You two lovebirds are such an adorable couple and truly blessed to have such a solid relationship. Cheers to your future together as husband and wife! 🙂
Thank you!!
Congratulations!!! So happy for you!
Thank you!!
Aw! How sweet and thoughtful. Congrats & happy planning!
Thank you!
Yay!!! I'm SO happy for you!!! I love following your blog, as well as your sister's, and I'm just genuinely thrilled for you guys when life brings you joyful things like this. Congratulations!!
Thank you!!
Oh my heavens. Engagement stories are my favorite and this one just made my day. It's so sweet to hear all the thought and planning that went into it to make it so special for you. Woohoo!!!
Love that! 🙂
What a beautiful history. Congrats!!!
Thank you!
Congratulations!! My husband and I dated for almost four years before getting married and it was SO helpful for our transition to marriage. You will be glad that you got to know each other well before entering into a new stage!
Thank you! Love to hear that.
Congratulations, what a sweet story! 🙂
– Charmaine
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you!!
Love you and your sister and I was so excited to see this! Thanks for sharing and congratulations! My husband and I got engaged after 4 years and just got married in September. Its such a wonderful amazing time and I'm so excited to watch you go through it!
Congratulations to you, too!
I love this story and I loved watching your relationship leading up to this moment! I'm so excited for you both! Congratulations!!!
Thank you!!
Congratulations! I love hearing engagement stories because they are always so unique to the couple. This one is so great! Enjoy your engagement!
Thank you!!
I loved reading this, it gave me goosebumps and brought me to tears (happy tears of course) how sweet and surprising! Im so happy for you Lauren! I cant wait to see your journey now that you're a bride to be! God Bless you guys!
Oh how wonderful! I remember when you started dating Mike(: You will be a lovely bride and a wonderful wife. Congrats! Susan
I didn't know I could be so excited for someone I've never truly met! My proposal story was very similar, in a secluded place, just us. Accept my (now) husband was super adamant that we stopped at a pub for drinks and I thought that was odd. Turns out, he was ridiculously nervous and wanted to calm his nerves 😉 being newly engaged during the holidays is the most special time and I am so excited for you! Marriage is such a beautiful thing!!
Thank you for sharing your story!Many blessings to the both of you…Lynn
Many congratulations! I've been following your blog for a couple of years now and wondering when this would happen. I'm very happy for you both and can't wait to see what the future holds for you!
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Congratulations to you both!!! My fiancé and I actually got engaged the same weekend as you (I remember looking at your Instagram post just a few hours before Anthony proposed)! I've wanted to comment on this post to congratulate you but the past few weeks have been, as I'm sure you can relate, very very busy! I read Kate's recent post and couldn't believe the irony – I am also getting married in July 2017 and may have also found my wedding dress this past week! Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you both and tell you that your engagement story is beautiful! Enjoy this time, I know I am 😊
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