Oh Darling, Let's Be Adventurers

Let me tell you a story. A story about love between a boy and girl who decided to go on a big adventure.

First, there is a little back story. Anyone who knows our story knows that we had a rough and complicated start. But we were friends, good friends and one day we went on a day trip to Chattanooga (a nearby city that we have both come to LOVE). On that trip we went to Raccoon Mountain. We walked and talked and I think that is when we started falling in love (even if I wouldn't admit it yet). That trip was special and it has stuck out in both of our minds for the past 2 years.

OK, so back to our engagement. We were headed to Chattanooga for Labor Day weekend. We had both had a rough summer and Steve had just gotten back from a 3 week tour in Canada. Chattanooga is one of our favorite cities and we were so excited to get away from everything and just enjoy ourselves.

**Now Steve and I had gone to look at rings several weeks back, but I really didn't think he had one yet. So even though it was always in the back of my mind, I was not expecting him to propose this soon.

My office closed early on Friday and that morning Steve text me and suggested we go to Raccoon Mountain on the way into town. I said I thought it would be a great idea. So after work, I ran home and finished packing a few things and we were on the road. About 30 minutes in we hit AWFUL traffic. Standstill, hour wasted traffic. Around this time Steve started getting very frustrated, I just thought he was annoyed with traffic and kept assuring him it was fine and that we were in no hurry. This didn't really help.

The closer we got to Chattanooga the more anxious he got. He was so worried that we wouldn't make it to the mountain before the sun went down. I kept telling him it was ok, that we could come back tomorrow, but he was not having it. At one point, he said "It's really important to me that we make it to the mountain tonight". So, to the mountain we went!

As we started up the mountain Steve was going about 50 (don't worry Mom, he was being safe!) just to make it in time. At this point I started thinking that MAYBE this could be it, but kept telling myself to stop because if it wasn't I would just be disappointed. Once we got to the top, there was a gate that closed at 7:30, it was 7:15. Steve had the most defeated look on his face, but we raced up the rest of the mountain.

We pulled  up to a beautiful overlook and Steve jumped out of the car. We stood there for about 20 seconds before he turned to me and said "I'm being really weird aren't i?" to which I agreed. Then he started in on his speech and slowly started to reach into his pocket. I couldn't stop saying "What are you doing? Oh my gosh, what are you doing?" Then he got on his knee and proposed.

After some freaking out, we prayed together. This was the most precious moment of the whole day. Standing there with the man I just agreed to love for the rest of my life, praying for our future to Love Himself.

We snagged a quick picture and then had to rush back to the gate before it closed!

We made all the important phone calls and celebrated with those we love most. There were lots of squeals and smiles. Then we celebrated with champagne and dreaming about the future and spent the rest of the weekend in engaged bliss.

We haven't set a date yet, but all I know is that I cannot wait to marry my best friend.