But let me tell you the whole story and I think you can appreciate it as much as I do...
Our first full day at Shasta Lake my parents, Kevin and I went to a great little spot on the lake and spent all day kayaking, sunbathing, and just plain 'ol relaxing! It was so nice! Little did I know that Kevin had planned on asking my dad for permission to ask me to marry him while the two of them had some time alone. So once we got to this spot, Kevin and my dad went off in the kayaks.
Here they are preparing to take off.
Kevin
My dad
From what Kevin told me it was a little awkward because it was so quiet, and he didn't quite know how to just bring it up out of the blue. But eventually he did and of course my dad gave Kevin his and my mom's blessings. From what I understand, here is how the rest of that conversation went:
Dad: "So what's your plan, dude?"
Kevin: "Well, I don't have the ring yet because it needs work done to it. But I was thinking that in a couple months I'd take her to Napa for the weekend and do it then."
Dad: "Man, screw the ring! You don't need a ring to propose! Just do it right now."
Kevin: "Umm....I don't know. I'd really like to have the ring."
Dad: "No, you don't need the ring. Trust me. Once you do it you'll see the look on her face and how happy she is and the ring won't even matter. Do it. Just do it right when we get back. Row right up to her and just ask her. Plus, the look on my wife's face will be priceless."
Kevin: "Well, we'll see..."
Kevin is now pretty nervous. When we left the day before for this trip he definitely was not planning on proposing!
So they come back and then my mom and I start getting ready to take the kayaks out. As we're getting ready Kevin says that I was being a little busy-body and wouldn't stop and let him talk to me (oops!). Then finally I was getting ready to get in the kayak and he stands in front of me (my dad is on my right, and my mom is on my left), and he asks me for my hand and holds it in both of his, then he says "Kaysie, I just want to let you know that I just asked your dad for your hand in marriage. I love you with all my heart " (my hand then goes up to my mouth at this point) "Will you marry me?"
I look at my mom and tears are coming down her face and her hand is up to her mouth and she's shaking. Then I look back at Kevin, and of all things I ask him "Are you being serious?" Hahaha! I can't believe I said that! It just came as such a surprise that I didn't know if he was joking or not. Then my dad says "Say yes, girl!" And of course I said yes, and started crying and we hugged and everyone hugged and Kevin took THE. BIGGEST. SIGH. OF. RELIEF. EVER!
Here we are right after he proposed! Nothing glamorous, but it's special to us!
And here is the location where he proposed. I don't think it get's much better than this! ;)
As for the ring, my engagement ring and wedding band is actually my grandmother's wedding ring set; and it's beautiful! It's exactly what I've had in mind and it has everything I've ever hoped a wedding ring to have. However, it needs some work done to it. The diamond that was in my ring is in my mom's wedding ring set. So my ring needs a diamond in it. And because the diamond that used to be in it was a round cut diamond, and my most favorite one out there is a princess cut diamond, it needs a little finagling done to it before it's presentable. It also needs to be re-sized to be a little smaller, and of course cleaned. But it's something that is very special to me because it will remain in my family for many, many years!
But my dad was right. The ring doesn't really matter. What mattered to me was that Kevin surprised me and the fact that he proposed to me with my parents present, means more to me than any ring ever will. That trip is going to be something that neither of us will ever forget. And since I'm my parents' only daughter, I think they felt so honored to be able to witness that.
Kevin taking a much-needed nap after all the excitement.
The rest of the day was so great. All of our friends and family have been nothing but super excited for us and it's made us feel so loved and supported.
We've been together for about 5 1/2 years, so this moment was a long awaited event, but the way it all worked out is something that neither Kevin or myself could have planned any better.
So, I'll hopefully have my ring in the next month or two, and we're looking at a wedding hopefully in July or August (depending on when we can book the reception - which we hope will be here). We still have to figure out the whole ceremony location too, but all in due time.
Thank you all for your sweet messages and phone calls. We both greatly appreciate it and feel so loved.
Let the wedding planning begin!!!
