William and I met in what I like to call a meet and re-meet kind of way. Our story begins in the fall of 2005 when we both joined a national serivce program called AmeriCorps. While in this 10 month, Peacecorps-style program, Will and I managed to gravitate towards a common group of friends. We enjoyed one another's company, but once the year of service ended we went our separate ways.

Flash forward to the fall of 2009 when I moved to Colorado. Through the help of a mutual AmeriCorps friend, Will and I found ourselves reunited. Sparks began to fly not long after, and in April 2010 we realized what should have dawned on us five years prior - we were meant to be together!

Our relationship took flight fast! Will decorated my room with over 200 of my favorite flowers for my birthday and made my heart melt. I took Will to see his favorite rock band in concert where Will dared me to try to get the lead guitarists' guitar pick. Will said that if I got that pick, he would marry me. Well if any of you know me, I take challenges like this one very seriously. I managed to get the lead guitarist to fight off other fans' hands to give his guitar pick specifically to me. In case you couldn't tell, I made sure that William held up his end of the deal.

Since our early days of dating, Will and I have enjoyed hiking, camping, road trips, visiting each other's families, traveling to Alaska, adopting and raising two adorable kittens, exploring Colorado, furthering our educations and careers, creating music and poetry for one another, and consistently romanticizing one another day in and day out. Our love grows stronger daily as we find unique and subtle ways to show one another that we care. We both know that our adventures together have only just begun as we continue our journey as husband and wife.

It was Friday, October 4th, 2013 and the first snow of the year had fallen on the Rocky Mountains. William finished up his afternoon classes at the University of Colorado and headed home with a gorgeous bouqet of flowers. Will presented the bouqet to me and told me that tonight we were having a romantic evening out. Immediatetly, I rushed to my closet to look for something to wear. Will stopped me and said, "For our romantic night out, I want to buy you a new evening dress to wear. Tonight is going to be special."

So, I sort of knew something was up. I mean its not everyday that my man offers to buy me a new dress for a date night. Nonetheless, I was not suspecting the evening he had planned and I just went with the flow. Before we heading out to look at dresses, Will had one stipulation. Tonight was about us, so no cell phones.

We ended up driving to a dress store in Boulder and we walked out with not one dress, but three, new dresses! In my defense, I did not know where we were going for the evening, so selecting the proper attire was challenging. Before heading home to make ourselves fancy, Will suggested that we go somewhere secluded to admire the snowy mountains.

We pulled off on a one lane dirt road in south Boulder and walked to a good viewing spot. Will had his arms around me as we gazed upon the gorgeous foothills. Will was shivering, which was abnormal for a native Alaskan so I turned to direct us back to the car so we could get warm. But William stopped me and looked into my eyes. "I want to tell you where we are going tonight, my love," he said. "We are going to the Flagstaff House for dinner, but I don't want to go with my girlfriend...I want to go with my fiance." He got down on his knee and pulled out a small black box. "Sarah McKinnell, will you marry me?" he asked. 

I managed to shriek out a "YES!" and jumped on William. We were both overwhelmed with adrenaline and love and excitement. It was the most romantic moment of my life. 

After the proposal, Will and I made got ready for dinner. I wore one of my new dresses and we drove to the Flagstaff House Restaurant which overlooks the entire city of Boulder. We had the most incredible food including quail and filets mignon. We enjoyed cocktails and ended with multiple mini desserts accompanied with a "Congratulations!" centerpiece. It was the perfect night and the perfect proposal. 

William and I are getting married on October 18, 2014 at 5:00 o'clock in the evening at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. Hopewell Valley Vineyards is located in picturesque Pennington, New Jersey. Following the ceremony we will enjoy dinner, dancing, and plenty of romancing.

Please join us for the evening or weekend at Springhill Suites by Marriott in Ewing, NJ. We have a wedding block reserved under McKinnell/Cook and reservations can be made at the following link. 

http://cwp.marriott.com/ttnsh/mckinnellcookwedding/ 

Further details and things to do in the area will be posted shortly. Cheers!