Archive for the ‘Proposal Stories’ Category
Proposal Surprise at Sugar Tree Inn ~ Valerie & Andrew
I was mid-week into a new job and Andrew asked if I would like to have a night to ourselves and go out to dinner on Friday (July 23 2010). I was also gearing up for a week away from home at a music gathering in North Carolina. Things were so hectic and I welcomed getting wined and dined on a Friday night. I came home from work on Friday, threw a dress on and hopped into the car. We were off to the Sugar Tree Inn for dinner, or so I thought.
We have gone to bed & breakfasts in the past just for dinner, and I had so much else on my mind that I didn’t think a thing about it. We were a little early to our reservation so we sat on the porch of the Inn, watched the hummingbirds and looked out at the mountains. I could already tell it was going to be a relaxing evening, one that I needed with everything else going on. We enjoyed an incredibly romantic and intimate dinner at the Inn, and towards the end of the meal one of the owners of the Inn came to our table and said, “If you two want to go stroll around the grounds we have a cabin open that you can look at.” Was she reading my mind? That’s exactly what I wanted to do! I love looking and planning for future trips. This was perfect! We got up from the table and I leaned over and asked Andrew if we should pay for the bill now and then go walking. He told me not to worry about it and that we would pay it when we get back. Well, I just couldn’t wrap my head around walking out of a restaurant and not paying the bill. I pressed on in my worry wart fashion, eventually asking the Inn keeper herself if we needed to settle the bill. ”Oh, no honey, we can take care of that when you get back”. Well, what a nice, trusting woman.
We walked past one of the cabins & Andrew spotted a little path up into the woods. “Let’s go walk up here. I think this is the little lookout that I heard another table talking about”. We made our way, hand in hand up the path. Sure enough, there was a beautiful lookout through the trees where the sun was setting over the Blue Ridge Mountains. We stood together for a few minutes, Andrew behind me with his arms wrapped around. It was only then that I noticed something. Andrew’s heart was going a million miles per our. I could feel it pounding straight through me. I thought to myself, this can’t be from walking up this little hill. Then his right arm kept jiggling around in his pocket. The first time I brushed it off. And then it hit me. This is it. It’s coming! How could I have not seen this coming from a mile away? He pulled the ring around in front of me and asked me to marry him. I turned around, gasping and crying and watched him drop to a knee. I managed to finally say “yes” through all of my tears and astonishment. Then he told me that the cabin was ours for the night and I let out a scream. How did he pull all of this off without me knowing?!
Just seeing the ring brought so many emotions out. My Mamaw gave me her mother’s ring the last time I was able to see her alive. I had kept it safely with Andrew, waiting and wondering when he would slip it on my finger. It is a constant reminder of her love. I found out later that Andrew had made a trip to Christopher William Jewelers the week prior and had it set into a beautiful 18K white gold setting from Hearts on Fire. We spent a bit of time on the phone with family and friends before spending the rest of the night in complete excitement, ready to start the rest of our lives together. A trip to Christopher William Jewelers was made the next day to thank them for all of their help! It was a night that completely surprised me and one I will never forget.
Congratulations Valerie & Andrew! We are so happy for you two and wish you all the best in life.We couldn’t imagine a more perfect couple! Enjoy every moment…
Summer Via and Nathan Sheets: A Proposal Story
Congratulations Summer and Nathan on your engagement! We wish you the very best as you begin to plan for your lives together.
Benchmark Rings Contest Winners!
Where To Get Engaged and Benchmark Rings are proud to announce the winners of its Benchmark Wedding Band Giveaway. To enter the contest, couples created a Couple’s Profile, complete with “their story” and added their favorite 3 Benchmark Rings to their wish list. The winners were selected at random. We would like to thank all the couples who entered the Benchmark Wedding Band Giveaway.
Adam and Lee are the winners of our Benchmark Giveaway Contest on Where To Get Engaged. They have won a 4mm and 6mm wedding bands in white or yellow gold! Benchmark Rings come with a lifetime warranty as well. Benchmark has been in business over 40 years and offers a fantastic lifetime warranty with every band.
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Adam and Lee’s Story
In March of 2006, Lee moved into a duplex in a neighborhood just north of uptown Charlotte called NoDa. She received an email from Adam on a social networking site called Friendster (the predecessor for Facebook and Myspace). They emailed back and forth for about a month. She discovered he lived in NoDa too, and they have mutual friends in the neighborhood. She decided to meet him for coffee at the local coffee shop, Smelly Cat. She was having a great time so she agreed to join him for dinner and a music concert at the Neighborhood Theatre. They went on a few other dates and lost touch. In September, Adam and Lee started dating again. He took her to Gallery Crawls, concerts at the Neighborhood Theatre, and to dinner at some of their favorite restaurants. Over the last 3 years, they have traveled to New York City (2 times before he moved there), Washington, DC, the NC and SC coast, and San Francisco. In addition to traveling, Adam and Lee have seen over 50 theatre performances, been to dozens of museums and galleries, and both share an unwavering love of the Carolina Panthers.
The Proposal:
One rainy, dreary Sunday morning, Adam and Lee planned to have Sunday Brunch with his sister, Jennifer, and his mom, Chris, at Boudreaux’s, a great Cajun restaurant. Despite the fact, that Lee had to go straight to work immediately following brunch, Adam insisted on driving. Before brunch they detoured into their local coffee shop, Smelly Cat where they first met. They walked into Smelly Cat. Lee saw Adam’s best friend Will, then one of her best friends Dee.
She was very confused to enter a coffee shop full of people she knows. Lee turned to Adam and he was on one knee. She combusted into tears and still doesn’t have any clue what he said but knows what her response was. She said yes! Adam orchestrated the whole thing. He had her parents, his family, and their close Charlotte friends await their arrival to the coffee shop, and he even got Lee’s best friend Amy to come up from Atlanta. Lee had no clue that her friends and family could keep this a secret from her and is still so impressed. Needless to say it was the best moment of her life, so far.
The Wedding:
Adam and Lee are exchanging wedding vows at their Methodist church and having the wedding reception at one of their favorite art museums. These rings will be the symbol of their love and commitment to each other.
Proposal Story with Katie and Jamin
Read on to hear all about this beautiful proposal from the words of the bride, Katie Jarrels Engel. I love how personal it is and how they were able to capture the moment in photos. One thing I always regret is not getting pictures of my proposal and think Katie and Jamin will cherish these for the rest of their lives!
I thought I finally had a wonderful birthday surprise planned for my boyfriend to repay him for all of the intricate surprises he had planned for me over the past six years. I planned to take him to The Melting Pot for a special birthday dinner in Charlottesville knowing he would love that we would be able to cook our own food at our table. This dinner was a big deal since I had just finished my junior year at Bridgewater College and money was not something I had an abundance of in my wallet. Jamin picked me up and asked me where he should open his birthday presents for which I responded, “The River!” “The River” is a hidden gem below my parents’ home as it houses a cabin that predates the Civil War, and has beautiful views of the North River. We drove down to the river and I noticed there were little tables set up along a walkway.
I was chattering away with questions and Jamin said nothing! We started walking along this path and I realized that each table had a picture of Jamin and me with a bouquet of daisies, which is my favorite flower, and candles.We got to the first table and Jamin began talking about our first year together which coincided with the picture from our first year. As we walked on to the next table he talked about our second year together, and I could see this storytelling time was going to continue at each of the six tables representing our six years together.
I must admit I don’t remember a whole lot he was saying because all I was thinking was, “Is he FINALLY going to propose or is this him just trying to throw me off for when he really is going to propose?”
We finished walking the path, walked across the swinging bridge, and got to the other side where there was a picture of us from a wedding we had been to just a few weeks previously. There were numerous daisies, lots of candles, and a beautiful view of the river at this spot.
Jamin said that the station we ended at represented our present time together and our future. When he said the “future” part of his speech I was hoping he would ask, and then he got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him.
Of course, I said yes!
The rest is history, and our fairy tale love story continues each and everyday because of my wonderful, romantic husband.
Thank you, Katie Engel, for submitting your beautiful proposal story and for Bill Anderson for the lovely images!
Scott Schmeissing and Michelle Spiers– A Proposal Story
Scott and Michelle
Scott Schmeissing proposed to Michelle Spiers Wednesday, May 5, 2010 in the afternoon on Bird Island, NC after weeks of picking the perfect ring and planning the perfect day to symbolize their perfect love. Scott and Michelle had been planning a trip with her parents to Myrtle Beach, SC for some time and Scott knew what a special place Myrtle Beach has always been to Michelle. It is where her family has vacationed every year since before she was born. Things have changed over the years, but it is still her favorite place in the world to relax. Only God knew how special a role Myrtle Beach would play in her life and how it would be the location for one of her happiest memories.
The proposal…….. Scott had a surprise adventure planned Tuesday morning and kept it all a secret from Michelle, telling her only what clothes to wear. Scott rented bikes, they rode through the Vereen Gardens Park, and started their trip to the Silver Coast Winery. They toured the winery, enjoyed the wine tasting, and sat outside with a bottle of Viognier and some snacks while watching as the rain started to grow heavier and heavier. When they were done, they sat out front on the rocking chairs debating whether to wait out the rain, call the bike company to come pick them up, or just start riding back and get soaked. They chose the “ride back and get soaked” option. The 12 mile bike ride in the rain was something they will absolutely never forget.
Scott’s plans for later that evening were canceled due to the rain so they went back home. Their postponed adventure started at 11:00am on Wednesday when they drove to a marina and boarded The Enchantress, a 44 foot Caribbean sailing yacht.
They rode out to the ocean where they watched dolphins playing and Scott hoisted the main sail. After some cruising in the ocean, they set sail for Bird Island, a secluded beach in NC.
The captain let Scott and Michelle take the smaller boat onto the shore where they explored for a bit and then traveled to a secluded part of the island. Once they went around the corner to where the only eyes on them were those of the fish, birds, and God, Scott got down on one knee, said a beautiful speech, and asked Michelle to marry him. After Michelle said “YES” and “I love you” about a million times, they rode back to the sailboat and sat at the top deck while enjoying the ride back to the dock. When they arrived back to the condo, Michelle’s parents, Dreama and Steve, were waiting with bridal magazines and pink roses. Scott had gone home to Mount Sidney the prior Wednesday to pick up the ring from Christopher William Jewelers, and on the way back he stopped to talk with Michelle’s parents.
Proposal Stories: Ruth and William
Congratulations to Ruth and William on their touching engagement and wedding! Ruth and William knew each other in high school but married other people – both were married for 60+ years! After they both lost their spouses they reconnected and got married on Valentine’s Day this year!!! William bought a beautiful Hearts On Fire 5 Stone Diamond Band (pictured here) for Ruth. Congratulations to this wonderful couple!
Have a proposal story to share? Leave a comment or tweet @ProposalStories!
Announcing the Winner of Our World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond Giveaway!
The 1 Carat Hearts on Fire Diamond Ring
In August, WhereToGetEngaged.com and Hearts on Fire teamed up to provide one lucky member of WhereToGetEngaged.com the chance to win a beautiful one-carat Hearts on Fire Diamond Ring valued at over $12,500. When over eighty percent of the community participated, we knew this would be the biggest contest yet!
Contestants were required to add their three favorite Hearts On Fire pieces to their wish list and complete their profile to be eligible. The contest deadline was December 15th, 2009.
The winner of our World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond® Giveaway is Michael Clover!
Mike met Anne his sophomore year of college through Anne’s roommate. It took three months for Mike to get Anne to come around and finally date him, but by the time they started dating, Mike already knew Anne was the girl for him. It took Anne a little bit longer to be sure – but after a little bit of time (and even a break) she knew Mike was the one for her.
They looked at engagement rings, but Mike struggled with the cost of buying a ring would set him back a few months (with student loans and only a part time job). He also forgot that he had entered in www.WhereToGetEngaged.com’s contest to win a 1 Carat Hearts On Fire Diamond Ring a few months before, but one day he received an e-mail from WhereToGetEnaged requesting his phone number to contact him. Mike did not want to get his hopes up so he figured it was for advertising purposes. Later the same day he received a call telling him he had won the 1 Carat Hearts On Fire Diamond Ring!
Mike & Ann
Mike said, “I thought for sure it was a scam as NOTHING like this has ever happened to me”, but after hanging up, Mike realized that he had just won a ring that was at least 10X more valuable than the one he was going to buy. And he didn’t have to go into debt for it. He said “I was so stressed about the ring, tuition, housing, books, Christmas and other expenses that I didn’t know how I was going to get through the next few months. It was seriously an answer to my prayers!”.
The day after receiving the ring in the mail, he flew out to Kansas to spend a few days with Anne and her family. On New Years Eve, Mike and Ann went to the Kansas City plaza to walk around and look at the lights. He took the ring with him after envisioning it as his chance to propose. It was really cold outside and he couldn’t keep the secret any longer. They walked past a fountain and he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. After she said, “yes,” he showed her the ring. She was initially shocked that it wasn’t the inexpensive ring that she had looked at a few weeks prior, but even more shocked when he told her the story about where the ring came from. Anne was so excited that she was at a loss for words until they got back to the car!
Congratulations Mike and Anne! We are happy we could be a part of your engagement!
Our Story: Mike & Courtney, Part Two
In August, Mike and Courtney won the Ultimate Vacation Giveaway contest from Where To Get Engaged. Here they tell part two of their story.
I knew that our love could only result in one destination, in asking Courtney to be my one and only. With all of my mind and my heart I waded through the implications of asking Courtney to marry me. I told my parents and then asked her’s. Once I received the blessing of her parents, I became a diamond expert overnight; having never bought a gem of such great value before and because it was for my love and bride, I wanted it to be the absolute best. I sought out some insider information from her mom and best friend about what she would like, and after visiting numerous jewelry stores, I made a decision on an elegant sparkly antique style 3-stone past-present-future yellow gold dazzler. I knew this unique ring would be a perfect match for Courtney and the best expression of my love that I could find.
Once I had the ring the next thing to do was to set up the moment. The element of surprise was crucial to me. I had planned for weeks and felt like May was the best time to do it. Near the end of the month my parents were going to take Courtney and I on a family vacation with them to Hawaii (this would be an easy time to expect to be proposed to. Not for Courtney). The night before we left I arranged for a divine dinner for two at the best restaurant in Southern California, Andreas in Newport Coast, overlooking the Pacific Ocean we felt ocean breezes grace our faces as the sun melted deep into the water. There is something about the vastness and endlessness of the ocean which says “forever”.
While there we were just having a good time, enjoying good food and the pleasantness of each other’s company, like we normally do. After a delicious meal, we decided to walk the grounds of the Pelican Hill Resort, I suggested that our last stop should be the roman rotunda that overlooked the state beach and golf course. Courtney thought the highlight of the evening was a romantic dinner for two, little did she know what was coming next.
Upon arriving at our final stop on the walking tour, I told Courtney that I would never say “I love you,” to another woman in my life, and as I got down on one knee I asked her if she would “wear this ring for the rest of her life?” She said, “I would love to.” Oh the glory – the music of our hearts was playing sweet sounds of love reaching up to the heavens.
Later that night we arrived at her parents house where they were hosting a graduation party for Courtney’s sister, Colleen. (Apparently her parents didn’t tell any of their guests that I was asking the question that night, but only that they should stay because “something important is going on tonight”. I think most people had an idea what was going on at that point.) Finally we got to Courtney’s house and we were greeted by everyone with hugs, love and photographs. Champagne toasts and joy filled stories flowed long into the evening. It was a magnificent night.
Asking Courtney to marry me and the experience of our relationship has left me stunned and speechless, blessed beyond words, loved beyond reason. This is a part of our story.
- Mike Morabito
Our Story: Mike & Courtney, Part One
In August, Mike and Courtney won the Ultimate Vacation Giveaway contest from Where To Get Engaged. Here they tell their story.
It was the first day of college and I needed to get a soda before class began. As I’ve been told, I was spotted by a young lady who thought to herself, “Why aren’t there guys that good looking in my classes?” Sure enough, I walked into her class and sat in the seat right in front of her (an amazing feat given that the building easily could hold several thousand students at one time). (Also, ironically our Professors name was for that class turned out to be “Lovelace”. Funny name, yes. Coincidence, I think not.)
I was spotted but didn’t realize it, as I was a very focused Political Science major on a mission toward learning a lot. But then. But then, it happened she asked to borrow a pen “because [she] forgot it”. From that moment on we had a connection. The pen had information on it about the church that I was part of. She asked about it and I invited her.
Day after day we would wait for each other at the end of class to walk each other to our next classes. Those were sweet times and always the highlight of my day. We had already carved out a space for each other in our lives. It was only natural that those hang outs would extend beyond the after class walks to movies, coffees, dates and more.
She. She has always made my heart fill with joy, she has always been my best friend. We clicked back then and click even more today. Toward the end of college we began spending all of our time together, and finally I asked her to be my girlfriend. Really at that point it was calling what we had something that it already was. She said Yes.
Our friendship continued through our dating relationship. Over the next couple years we enjoyed some incredible adventures. We took a road trip around the US with friends, went to numerous rock concerts and sporting events, and found ourselves colliding into each other’s every-day lives in fun and exciting ways. After a while, it became impossible to imagine our lives without one another.
- Mike Morabito
To be continued on Wednesday, September 16th…
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