Popping the Question

Since Greg and I had been together for so long, it was no secret that he was planning on proposing soon. I had made sure to fill my Pinterest board with beautiful rings and "train" my best friend on what I liked for whenever he decided to go looking (I did not want to be involved in the process at all, to me this was supposed to be a surprise). I knew we wanted to get engaged soon, however I had no idea that it was even on Greg's radar until November of 2015. We were sitting at Buffalo Wild Wings and I was poking at him for "dragging his feet" (*poking* being the key word there. I am not one of those girls that annoys a man to death until he proposes just to shut me up). Greg then very calmly said he was saving money for a ring and had told his parents. At that moment, even though we knew for years we were going to get married, it became incredibly real to me. After that, no more details were leaked to me. He was a closed book. I have been incredibly anxious and excited ever since that conversation, mostly because I had no idea what to expect.

Flash forward a few months to January of 2016. If you know Greg, you know the Gash family LOVES some Disney. The first time I ever met his parents, we spent 3 hours watching home video shot exclusively at Disney World. At the time we met I believe Greg had been to Disney World/Land 14 times (he just completed his 18th pilgrimage). My family had toyed with the idea of visiting the parks for vacation many times before, however I never wanted to give up our obsession of a calm, relaxing week spent beach side. The crowds and the heat never seemed appealing to me, especially since I had it in my head that Disney was just another theme park (how mistaken was I). But the Gash family made me curious about the parks, especially since I've been obsessed with Disney movies, namely the Little Mermaid, since birth. So when my best friend asked me to go with her for a day or two in January, I jumped on the chance. It wouldnt be hot or as crowded and I was getting some quality time with my other half (sorry Greg). So we loaded up and drove to Orlando. And I LOVED it. The second I got back, the Gashes asked me if I would like to go on vacation with them in May to the beach and then to Disney World and I of course said yes.

The thought that he might propose on this trip didn't cross my mind until a few weeks before we left. I thought it was far too cheesy and cliche for him to propose at the castle. I prayed that he surely wouldnt do it without my parents there (especially since his parents would be there). My parents announced that the very same weekend we were leaving they would be driving to Gatlinburg to spend the weekend at a Bed and Breakfast we once stayed at. I briefly entertained the idea that maybe they actually were driving down to Florida and Greg might propose on vacation but I quickly dismissed that thought being as it was extremely elaborate and an expensive and unexpected trip for my parents. Looking back I should have been more curious, especially since Gregs mom and I had plans to get mani/pedis after a day on the beach. However, Greg did a really good job lying to me for 6 months because I had full confidence he didn't have the ring nor had asked for my dad's blessing. So we finished up our spring semester and before we knew it, we were heading down to Florida.

For 2 weeks I had been watching the weather and up until very close for us to leave, rain had been showing on Monday And Wednesday. Monday was our beach day and Wednesday was our Disney day. Luckily, however, when we arrived to the beach the weather was literally perfect. Now, as I mentioned before, I am a beach bum through and through. There has only been 1 year of my life that I remember not stepping foot on a beach. I have been to the beaches of Florida, Hawaii, and many Caribbean/Bahama beaches, and never have I experienced a beach day with as perfect weather as I did Monday, May 30th. A little backstory will also tell you that the entire Gash family looks extremely European (that's a polite way to say they're pale as ghosts). So they were all pretty worried about getting burnt. I slathered Greg up with sunscreen and kept him under an umbrella any part of the day we werent swimming and we had a blast. The Gashes aren't beach people, but I think we had a perfect day. We ate pineapple and drank coke and just marveled at how perfect that day had turned out to be. But time wasted away and it was time for his mom and I to go get ready for our nail appointment. 

So we got ready and went and got our nails done. The entire time I was rushing because Greg had made dinner reservations at 7:30, and I was really surprised because Greg's mom, Angie, seemed to be pretty calm that it was 7:25 and we hadn't even left to go pick up the boys yet. Finally my nails were done and we left to go pick up Greg and his dad. When we got to the condo, Greg had left a note on the table that they were on the beach taking pictures and to just come down there (weird because it was 7:30 and we supposedly had dinner reservations, not weird because thats totally something Greg's dad would do). Angie had to use the restroom really quick, but told me to just go down to the beach myself and she would meet us there. So as I walked across the street onto the beach, I think I knew what was about to happen (and I was honestly a little hopeful it wouldn't because I knew my parents weren't there). I had butterflies. And as soon as I stepped onto the beach I saw it.

A heart shaped pathway, complete with lights, lanterns, and roses.

Signs with important dates in our relationship

By the edge of the water there were mini lanterns, candles, and roses scattered around into a heart. Greg was standing in the middle, waiting for me. There were little signs lining a path to him that had significant dates for us written on them. He was at the end holding a sign that said "The day you say yes?". I was so shocked that I didn't even put down the giant beach bag I was carrying. He said some words that I didn't hear in my disbelief (luckily he has it memorized and written down now), and as he went to one knee I heard that snaps of photos everywhere. I of course happily said yes and he slipped the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen onto my finger (I truly mean that) and immediately we were flooded by his parents, photographers he had hired (yes ladies, he did good), and to my excitement even my parents. 

The sunset was breathtaking. 

We spent the next half hour in disbelief at what had just happened, taking engagement pictures (soon to be posted) on the beach in front of the most gorgeous beach sunset I had ever seen. We went to dinner and my parents surprised us with an unexpected trip to Epcot the next day (for which Greg had purchased super cute Mickey couple shirts for).

Sporting a "He Put a Ring On It" shirt

On Wednesday we went to Magic Kingdom as an entire family, wearing our adorable "just engaged" pins and a Little Mermaid-themed couples outfit I had planned for months. Disney even gave my entire family 3 extra fastpasses to be used on any ride at any time. I just don't think any trip I will ever make to Disney could beat this one.

We've only been engaged for a short time, but it's already proven to be the time of my life. I love finally being able to plan our lives together. Now we are both 20, picking out china and bed linens, and every day is a day closer to spending the rest of our lives together. I am one lucky girl.