The morning of March 6th 2016, Stephen and I had gone to breakfast with my parents at our favorite breakfast spot in Marquette, Jeffrey's.  Stephen seemed off all morning, he wasn't talking much and just had an edge.  I was sure he was upset with me for something, but I couldn't figure it out!  Towards the end of breakfast, Stephen suggested we take a drive out to Presque Isle (one of my favorite places in Marquette) and take our dog (Colt) for a walk.  I invited my parents along but they kept insisting we go alone.  Finally my mom faked a stomach ache and said she wanted to go home to rest, so Stephen and I were on our own.  He was still quiet during the drive out, and I was trying to get him to talk or open up about why he was so upset.  Once we parked, we got out with Colt and started walking around, where about ten minutes later, Stephen "fell" on the ice.  When he got up he was on one knee with an open Jandron's box with the most beautiful sapphire ring inside.  I was so shocked all I could do was shout with excitement, when he said, "so I was wondering, if you would marry me?"  That was it, no long story about our relationship or how much he adores me, etc. Just those simple words, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Instead of saying "yes" I asked him several times, "are you sure?"  I couldn't believe it was happening.  I almost tried to cry but I was too excited, not every moment requires tears of joy, but my smile that day was the biggest, and my joy was the most contagious.  

We were lucky enough that when I shouted, there was a lady from Wisconsin who was visiting and taking pictures, she snapped a few of the proposal, got in her car, and left.  We were hoping someday we would see those photos, and a few days later, they were on Facebook and being shared by everyone we knew from Wisconsin to Marquette.  

As many married men will tell you, the proposal is more than just one day. My story is no exception to the rule. I would say it began six or seven months prior to that chilled day along the shores of Lake Superior. It started with selecting the best diamond halo setting I could find and discussing which type of stone to have set with our jeweler at Jandron's Fine Jewelery in Marquette. After much discussion we decided that a sapphire would be the best precious stone to have set in the ring. The next day Emily and I drove back down to Big Rapids. Several days later the jeweler contacted me and we began finding the perfect stone. The only issue was that I was six hours away, and well, I wouldn’t be able to select the stone I wanted. So, I called upon my future in-laws to be my eyes. That evening the stone was selected and set aside, or so we thought. A different sapphire arrived the next day, and our jeweler, being the best at what he does, found himself in a conundrum; either stay with the stone that was selected the day before, or get a second opinion on the new one. The clock was ticking because the ring and stone had to be sent out that day at the close of business. Emily's aunt also worked at the jewelery store part-time and worked in a nearby office, so our jewelery sought out her opinion.  They agreed on this stone, it was the one. After a phone call, I approved the swap, thankful that I had so much care going into my future wife's ring.

On our next trip up to the Upper Peninsula I swung by Jandron's to get the ring. Everything was set, except for asking Kevin, Emily’s father, if it was okay to marry her. So, on the evening before I proposed to Emily I showed Kevin the ring and asked him if I could marry his daughter.  He looked at me and said, “Steve, that’s a nice ring but I don’t really think I’m your type.” Ha...ha...ha.  After a short chuckle he said he would be honored to be my father-in-law and asked what took me so long. By this time Noelle had made her was to us, gazed up the ring and started crying. Apparently it was “too pretty” and she couldn’t hold back the tears. 

They asked how I was going to propose, and I told them that I would be doing it the next day at Presque Isle in Marquette. Noelle wanted to be there but decided it would be better if Emily and I had our alone time. She asked if I had arranged a photographer and I told her no. I wanted this moment to be shared between just Emily and myself. 

On the day of the proposal we had breakfast with Emily’s parents at a local restaurant in Marquette. I think Emily knew something was happening. After all, I have never been as adamant about going to Presque Isle as I was that day. Shortly after, we departed the restaurant and made our way to Presque Isle. We walked the island for a few minutes while we I waited for the area to clear of people. I wanted to be completely alone with her. As soon as the coast was clear I pretended that Colt had pulled me down onto the ice. I think Emily was worried that I had hurt myself because I hadn’t popped up right away. The truth was I had landed on the pocket that was carrying the ring and need a few extra seconds to dig it out. I popped up on one knee and asked her to marry me…

... And of course she said…

 “Are you sure???!!!” about 20 times before finally accepting.

And then, out of the corner of my eye in the distance I noticed a lady taking pictures of this. When she noticed that we noticed she put the camera down and yelled “bravo," then proceeded to get back into her vechicle and drive away. It was at that moment I wished I would have arranged a photographer. But, as luck would have it, we would be reunited with those photos a few weeks later through social media.