It was July of 2016 and though I knew Sean wanted to marry me, I had no idea that he would be proposing that month. Sean had always made it a point, from the very beginning and throughout our entire relationship, to let me know that he wanted to marry me. He always reminded me that I am the "greatest woman in the entire world". His romantic heart definitely leaves me feeling like the most incredible woman on the planet!!! During the month of July my parents came up from Florida to visit. Sean had made it clear to me that he had planned on asking them for my hand in marriage, and when I walked into my parent's hotel room on July 20th, it was clear to me that he had. There they were, just the three of them, having a glass of wine, and Sean sitting there very tense. I decided not to ask or point out the obvious, because I didn't want to know. I love surprises and wanted to keep it that way. 

Later that week Sean inquired if I would like to go for a hike on my day off. I said yes! We love hiking and do it regularly. Our hikes are usually very leisurely events with no real agenda. However, our hike on July 28th was not the same way. Sean informed me earlier that week that we would be going for our hike at 2:30pm. This seemed more organized than I was use to, but I brushed it off. After the 20th, Sean began acting a little funny, but it wasn't necessarily in a positive way. We actually had a heated discussion about the fact that "if he was feeling too much pressure, we didn't have to talk about marriage". The morning of July 28th, I remember telling my friend Nickcole that Sean had been acting very strange. I decided at that point that I would text her "weirdo" if the behavior continued this afternoon.

When Sean arrived home for our "2:30 hike", he seemed a bit stressed that I had been taking my time, laying by the pool. It was just a hike, so I didn't see the rush. He waited patiently as I got ready, but then started insisting upon certain articles of clothing I had planned to wear. This was not normal for Sean. He advised me that I should not wear my visor, which seemed like bad advice to me, considering it was a scorching hot summer day without a cloud in the sky. I thought to myself "ok weirdo" and decided to bring it instead of wearing it. As we drove towards our hiking destination, Sean continued to act like a complete wacko! When I told him I wanted to text his sister to wish her a Happy Birthday, he abruptly objected. He advised me that I shouldn't text her now and I could do it later. Ok Sean!

When we arrived at Neutaconkanut Hill, Sean was "on the move". As we headed towards the hiking trail I noticed that Sean began to pick up his pace. I giggled to myself on account of all of his weird behavor that day and decided to just attempt to keep up. Unfortunately, I could not keep up, so I finally asked Sean "Are we racing?". "Oh" he said, shocked that he hadn't recognized his speedy pace. He attempted to slow down, but his idea of "slow" that day was not leisurely at all! As we neared the highest peak of our hike, I stopped to take a couple pictures. "No," Sean said, "we want to go up here". "I know," I replied, "I was just taking a picture". I managed to snap one photo of us, along with another one of him, charging ahead of me, before being rushed to the top again.

As we arrived at the very top, we stood on the rock that over looks the entire city of Providence. Alone, at the top of the hill, Sean began to tell me how much he loved me. He went on and on, saying the sweetest things. I kept leaning in to hug and kiss him as he was trying to get his words out. Finally, he got down on one knee and proposed. I was in tears and immediately said "YES". As I leaned down to kiss him, I noticed he was looking over my left shoulder smiling. I turned around to see Sean's friend, Ryan rushing towards us with his camera. Ryan is a photographer and had been hiding in the woods to capture our special moment. I was shocked! Even though Sean acted like a wacko all day (and week), he managed to surprise me and to pull off the greatest proposal ever.

We immediately began calling and texting our family. We spent a good amount of time in the hot sun, sharing the news with our family and sharing in our excitement. When we finally took a break from the phone calls, I asked Sean, "do we really have to finish the hike?" It was so hot out! He said "no" and we proceeded to head back to the jeep. We both agreed that a cocktail by the pool sounded much more enjoyable. After a couple hours, we realized that time had escaped us, and that my parents were almost to the restaurant that we were set to have dinner at that night. We got ready for dinner in about 15 mins, called Uber, rushed out the door, and were dropped off at the exact moment my parents were walking up to the restaurant. We enjoyed a beautiful sushi dinner, sharing the joy with each other. It was a perfect day! I truly am the luckiest woman in the world and could not be more exctied about marrying Sean! 

I knew I didn’t want to set a timetable on when I should ask Laura to marry me.  I love her and couldn’t ask more from a best friends, partner, and lover.  A lot of people told me that you’d just know when you met the person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. Well, they were right and I’m glad I was patient.

The plan with a few moving parts. Getting the ring in time was the key to the whole proposal.  Laura’s parents were going to be in New England for about two weeks in July 2016. I wanted to ask their permission and be able to celebrate with them before they left. I also wanted to share it with my family that we were visiting the following weekend. Finally, I asked my friend Ryan, about a month before I proposed to Laura, if he wouldn’t mind helping me out and getting some pictures when I asked her. He was game and was sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone that I was proposing.  

No pressure right; ask Laura’s parents, come up with a way to propose, find a schedule for the photographer, get the perfect ring, Laura says yes, and share with family and friends.  Now to the story of the ring.

I asked Laura’s parents on a Wednesday night and they said yes. It was July 20^th and the wedding Anniversary of Laura’s sister Courtney.  I told them I was going to propose to Laura in the next 30 days.  That Saturday, we went to go look at jewelry and I got an idea of what Laura would love for a ring. I went back the following day and talked to the jeweler. The ring setting had to be resized from a 7.5 to a 4.5 size. They said they could do it in two to three days. I told the jeweler that I had a photographer set up for the upcoming Thursday, we were seeing Laura’s parents that Friday, and then my parents Saturday.  They asked for our story and I told them. The ladies cried, I blushed, and then I told them how I was going to propose on a place we hiked that was a milestone in our relationship. The jeweler said to call them on Tuesday, to check on the progress.

Tuesday was the start of me acting like a wacko as Laura put it.  I called the jewelry store Tuesday afternoon. The manager told me that she has no update on the progress and that it can take up to 10 days to complete.  After I paid for the ring in full, I was a little unhappy with this report. I told her my proposal attack plan again and reminded her that she promised two to three days to complete the resize and setting the diamond, which is why I went with them. She advised me to call Thursday morning.  There wasn’t anything else I could do; it was in their hands. 

That Tuesday night Laura and I had a talk. She said I was acting quiet and wasn’t myself.  This led to a lively discussion about us getting married and how “we don’t have to”.  I did a lot of pacing around our apartment that night. In my head, I was thinking “what the heck” (or you know another choice word I would use to voice frustration).  I just asked her parents and bought a ring, I knew right there I loved her more and I was going to move mountains to ask her.

Wednesday came. I talked to Ryan about the plan to go to Neutaconkanut Hill and he was going to hide in the woods. Ryan told me that his wife Megan was trying to plan their date night on Thursday and that he wasn’t answering her on the time that they were going to go out. He told me that Megan was getting a little annoyed, but it was going to be worth it after she finds out why he was being noncommittal. I talked to my friend Sal a bunch of times to calm down, because I couldn’t say anything to Laura. He was a good sounding board.

The big day came, Thursday July 28th. That morning Laura heard from her parents that they were coming down from Boston today on their way back to Florida. This was a day early than planned and the pressure just went up a bit in my head. I texted both her parents and told them I was waiting on the ring to get finished today and will let them know I when I was making my move. I then talked to my parents and told them the same. I finally I called the jewelry store. They told me they don’t have it back yet and that they would call me in the early afternoon. Laura went out with her friend Nickcole (Yes She spells it this way) and was going to be home by two. I asked her to be home and ready for a hike at 2:30pm. I ran around and got some thank you gifts to give to Ryan to thank him for his help today.  

Noon came, no word from the jewelry store. I went to Ryan’s house to talk about the plan and drop off the gift for him and his family. Pacing around Ryan’s house, One o’clock came. I got the call and the ring was done. I told Ryan I’d see him at Neutaconkanut Hill at 2:45pm. He told me to text when I was at the bottom of the Hill and he would then hide in the brush in his camo on top of the hill.

I made it from North Providence to West Warwick in twenty minutes. I looked over the ring. Then the manager and I got talking, if you know me, I’m a talker.  I looked at the time and saw it was 1:45pm.  Now rushing out of the store, I get a text from Laura that she is home and was going to the pool. I told her I was on my way and she said when she sees me drive pass the pool she would head back and get changed.

Guess what, I drove slowly past the pool so she would see me. Laura did not see me and was enjoying the sun. So, I called her and told her I was parking. She said okay and was getting ready to head back to our place. I then got out of the car, went to the pool, grab the stuff that she was leisurely putting together, and we went back to our place.

Laura asked if she should wear her visor on the hike and if I’d seen where she put it.  It was now 2:20pm and it takes 15 minutes to get to Neutaconkanut Hill from our place. Ryan was on his way there. I packed the daypack, filled the water bottles, and found the visor while Laura got changed.  Now it is 2:30pm and we are getting in the car. As I’m driving, Laura asked if I already wished my sister Jessica a happy birthday. I did already and told Jessica what I was planning to do. Laura was happy that I already talked to Jessica and she wanted to wish her a happy birthday too. I told her to wait until after the hike. She thought that it was weird that I told her to wait and proceeded to send a text. I asked if she was texting my sister, she said no and was texting Nickcole I was a weirdo. Side note, Nickcole thought I was going to ask Laura to marry me that day and had no idea. She told Laura to text her if I was acting weird.

We got to Neutaconkanut Hill at 2:50pm. I nonchalantly text Ryan that we are parked and heading up the Hill. I had my city pace on. If any of you know me it is a walk with a purpose and is like competitive speed walking. Laura yells at me to slow down and asked if we are going to just enjoy the hike. I slowed down, but not much, and grabbed her hand. We get to the top, but not the top top where I was going to ask her. She treated it like an excursion and wanted to take a photo like we did the previous December, and enjoy the view of Providence. I was like “Oh yeah, great idea honey, lets get to that higher rock for a better view!” She called me a weirdo and said fine and followed me.

On top of the rock, I didn’t see Ryan hiding after scanning the field behind us. So, I started to tell Laura I loved her very much. I was trying to go with something I prepared to say, but I didn’t see Ryan, and Laura wouldn’t stop giving me kisses and hugs as I spoke. So I said screw it, I got down on my knee and asked. I heard Ryan charging out of the woods by the sound of his camera shutter clicking. Laura was surprised and said yes.

We took some more pictures, laughed with Ryan, and called our family and friends to tell them, while enjoying one of the best views of the City of Providence. Ryan left and as we were getting ready to head down. A young family came up on top of the Hill. They asked why we were so happy. Laura told them I just proposed and they asked if we wanted them to take some pictures of us because it was just the two of us up there. I was about to say “we were all set,” but Laura elbowed me and whispered let them do it to be nice.

That was the end our hike right there, it was hot and she said yes. And Laura asked, “do we really have to hike the rest of the day?” I said no.  We went back to our place, made a couple of drinks and went to the pool. Then we took an Uber to Federal Hill, met with Laura’s parents and had a nice sushi meal. It was an outstanding end to some stressful past days.