Tyler was able to plan the most spectacular proposal without me suspecting a thing. Months before he popped the question, he had me sized for a ring without me even being aware. We went to a jewelry store, so Tyler could "get the battery of his watched changed." While we were waiting, a lady that worked in the store took me to see some new pieces of jewelry they had just gotten in the store. I was trying on canary yellow diamond rings when she said, "Honey, your fingers are so small!" She asked, "What size ring do you wear?" Of course, I had no idea and was sized on the spot. It never entered my mind that Tyler had set the whole thing up. He would go back to that jewelry store a dozen times before he finally decided on the center stone. He had to have my ring custom made since I love yellow gold and most rings today come in Platinum only. I absolutely love my engagement ring, and I wouldn't change a thing about it! Tyler did such an awesome job!
For our one year anniversary, Tyler planned a getaway to Asheville, NC to stay at The Inn at The Biltmore. IT. WAS. BREATHTAKING. It was the weekend after Thanksgiving, so they had just started putting up their Christmas decorations. If you know me, you know I LOVE decorating for holidays, especially Christmas. When we first walked into The Inn, we were greeted by a gigantic Christmas tree that was being decorated. I snapped a picture of it to send to my sister, so she could see how beautiful this place was. Little did I know, she was in on the whole thing.
Before the trip, Tyler drove four hours to my hometown. He met my dad, mom, and sister at a local restaurant to ask for permission to marry me. He brought my mom and sister flowers, and he gave my dad a nice bottle of bourbon. Later, my mom and sister told me that this was such an emotional experience. Everyone was so happy, but a few tears were shed too. My mom and sister knew they had a long road ahead of them keeping this a secret from me!
After we checked into our room, Tyler and I went exploring at The Inn. It was so beautiful on the property, and there was even a little town, Antler Hill Village, below with shops and restaurants.
We had plans to do a Christmas Candlelight Tour at The Biltmore the evening we arrived. I was so excited because touring historical places is probably one of my most favorite thing to do. I love seeing and learning about new places. If you want to give me a tour, honey, I will take it! We had dinner reservations at The Inn right after the tour of the estate, so we knew we were in for a long night. Initially, Tyler said he was planning on asking me in front of The Biltmore; however, it was not very well lit at night outside. He hired a photographer to capture the proposal, so he suggested popping the question at The Inn before the tour. Tyler graciously agreed because he said he was so nervous and dreaded waiting until the end of the evening. After getting ready, we made our way to the lobby of The Inn to "head to the tour." I insisted on getting a picture in front of the tree in the lobby while we were all dressed up. While I was searching for someone to take our picture, Tyler grabbed my hand. I heard the words coming out of his mouth, and I could feel his hands shaking. I just could not comprehend what was happening. It seemed like an eternity we were standing in front of that tree! Then he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.
The photographer popped out from a staircase, and people that were in the lobby were clapping. My head was spinning. After I said yes, I immediately asked Tyler if he had asked my dad for permission. That is when I got the sweet story of how he had asked my entire family for permission. In the midst of this beautiful moment, I did shed some tears. Unfortunately, I had just purchased new fiber lash mascara, and with the tears, the fibers matted to my eyes, and it felt like my eyes were superglued shut. Y'all, I could not open my eyes for the life of me! I tried to recover because the photographer was snapping pictures like crazy, so ignore my closed eyes in the next few pictures!
After I was able to open my eyes, the photographer took us around The Inn and got some wonderful pictures. It meant so much to me that Tyler thought about capturing this moment. I can always look back on these pictures and remember this wonderful day that changed my life forever! Not long after the proposal, we had to head over to The Biltmore for our tour. It was surreal. I was in this gorgeous historic house with my new fiancé. Time seemed to stand still. Both of us just kept smiling at each other, and I couldn't take my eyes off of my beautiful ring. I still couldn't believe all of this was happening. After the tour, we enjoyed a wonderful candlelit dinner back at The Inn, and they brought us out a sweet dessert with "Congratulations" written in chocolate on the plate. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone on me to get a picture of it. We toured The Biltmore again the next day, which we both agreed was a good decision considering we were in such a fog the night before. I didn't remember a thing from the first tour! It was so amazing to spend that weekend together just the two of us after such an important moment in our relationship.
After a magical weekend, I was in for one last surprise. We packed up our things and headed back to Tyler's mom's house. Tyler had planned a small engagement party with our families. He knew I would want to see my parents and sister to show them the ring and tell them about our weekend. It was so good to see both of our families and celebrate with them. It was an absolutely perfect end to the weekend. My Tyler thought of everything. He gave me the most wonderful proposal ever. I wouldn't have changed a thing. I am so lucky that I get to spend the rest of my life with such a caring and thoughtful gentleman!
Whew, that was long! Again, I am writing these entries more for myself than anything. I want to have a place I can go and relive all of these moments that are happening in my life currently. So much is changing! I will be getting married in a few months, graduating in almost a year, moving to a new city, etc. It is a lot! I want this blog to serve as a journal for me to look back on all of these exciting changes that are/will be happening in my life!
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - I Corinthians 13:4-7
Dearest Courtney,
ReplyDeleteYou've always been my little writer! So eloquent are you! Keep it coming!
Love always,
Mommy