How it all happened...
I knew Kristen and I would get married from the first time we met. I know this sounds tacky, but I knew there was something about her that made me believe we were destined to be together. Ironically, it was a horrible first date at a local comedy club. As I sat next to her I became nervous because I thought the comedians would surely work us into their gigs if they found out that we just met! Fortunately that did not happen. I was not even paying attention to the acts. I kept looking over at Kristen and trying to figure out why I was having such an atypical feeling! After asking her for a do-over of our first date, I gave her a kiss on the cheek goodnight outside the club. Apparently that scored me some points.
Our second date was little more “typical”…dinner at a local restaurant near Jay’s apartment. On our second date, a couple in the restaurant asked us if we were on our honeymoon! This was in Woodridge, Illinois so both of us laughed wondering what we would do on a honeymoon in Woodridge. I do not know what they were thinking but that feeling of knowing came back again...
About 15 months had passed and I realized that I was ready to ask for her hand in marriage. After a couple of months of shopping, I picked out the ring. We had looked around at rings a few months earlier so I had a pretty good idea of what she liked but you never really know for sure. What I did know is that I wanted to proposal to be unique and I wanted to make sure it was a total surprise.
In the Fall of 2007, I thought about proposing on Christmas or New Year's 2008. I found a single cup coffee pot that Kristen wanted. I wrapped the filter separately in a small box. Not until Kristen began to unwrap the box did I realize that the look on her face said that she hoping for an engagement ring. Sorry Kristen! :( When it came to New Year’s, I knew she was not expecting a proposal because she fell asleep on the couch by 10:00 pm!
We joined a group of friends from Chicago on a skiing trip in Breckenridge Colorado in January. We booked this several months ahead of time and I knew this would be the backdrop as I took one knee. I started doing research online. Dinner reservations were straightforward. I found a nice restaurant in the center of town. I was back and forth between proposing there or on the mountain top. I really wanted to propose at altitude, but I was concerned that I would lose the ring (for those of you that know me--I lose everything!!!). So, I enlisted the help of the Breckenridge ski patrol to help out. But when we arrived at the massive resort, I knew that it would be nearly impossible to have them hand deliver the wrapped box with my written message (I wrote half of my proposal down so I would not forget!). So, I decided to stick with the dinner plans.
After we picked up our ski rentals, we headed for the slopes. Kristen decided to take a ski lesson and I went up the mountain with the group. It was spectacular! The sun was shining and the scenery was amazing. I was kicking myself for leaving the ring and present at the cabin. I changed my mind and wanted to do it on the mountain top. As I rode the chairlift up with Shea, a member of our party, I told him about my plan. He yelled so loud I thought he was going to start an avalanche. After we skied down halfway, I told Ara and Justin, other friends of ours. (Ara said that there was no way Kristen would be expecting it so the game was on at this point.) I split from them and met up with Shea's wife, Annie, at the bottom of the slopes. She became my logistical support. She picked me up and we drove back to the cabin. It was hard enough to walk around there because of the altitude. Going up the driveway was tough, and even more so with ski boots! I returned to the resort and text Kristen that I would meet her at the top of peak 8 at noon. Riding up the chairlift, the snow clouds came in and the fluffy white stuff was coming down!!! And it was bone chilling cold all of the sudden!!!! She replied that she was advised by her ski instructor not to go up to the peak (apparently a blue square skiing level in Colorado is much different than Wisconsin). After coordinating with many friends at the base, I realized getting Kristen to the top was going to be impossible without saying, “I have a ring for you.” My photographer, Annie, and I then took the chair lift back down to the base of peak 8. (We survived all the ridicule for riding the chair lift DOWN in Breckenridge. The things I do for this girl.) So, we met up in the lodge of peak 8. It was jammed packed with people. At this time, everyone in the group knew about my intentions.
Kristen introduced me to a college friend of hers and I thought to myself, “This is going to be very awkward”. Thirty seconds later I got into proposal mode. Kristen already had her ski boots off and had all sorts of complaints of soreness and tiredness. I tried to get her to go outside. After all, I had to “show her something” :) She was not having it. I could not get her to go anywhere. She was destined to spend the rest of the day in the lodge in her socks! I pulled out the gift and handed it to her. I said it was “a little something for graduating ski school”. As she unwrapped the gift, a moment of confusion came across her. The name of the jewelry store was on the side of the box. As she started to read my letter, I got on one knee. I almost fell over – getting down on one knee in ski boots is not easy! I said “I love you and cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” I never heard her respond. I actually turned to the group to verify that she said “yes”. The whole place was cheering and clapping but I could not really hear anything. I stood up and tried to place the ring on her finger, but both of us were shaking so much it was difficult. Once it was on I gave her a huge hug and kiss and then I realized that I was the one crying instead of her! I felt like a baby but laughed it off as everyone offered congratulations.
We proceeded to call family and friends and enjoy one last run down the mountain as an engaged couple. We later returned to the cabin to a room full of roses, chocolates and champagne (thanks again Annie!). We did make it to our nice dinner that night as well. We talked about everything that happened throughout the day- all the running up and down the mountain, the shopping, the planning and the help from our friends.
So, obviously many things did not go as planned. But the important thing is that she said yes and had no idea it was coming. I’m sure the wedding day will be wonderful, and go a little more according to plan! I can’t wait to find out…
