February 23, 2013 {Engaged}

I hope I can capture this day in a post like the day turned out in person. My weekend was just a typical trip home to spend time with Brittany since my last visit home I wasn't able to see her. It was also time to spend some quality time with my parents, my spring break was next week and I wasn't going to be able to make it home due to watching the boys and some school work. The previous week Brad had mentioned he was going home too but that to me meant I would probably see him once... little did I know.

Friday night as I was just getting into Holland Brad called after work to tell me he got hired in and off of contract at his company such exciting news!!!! On my way to Brittanys that night I stopped there to congratulate him and he said he wanted to take me on a date Saturday. I thought it was a little odd, but I would see what I could do.

Off to Brittanys I went. Sleepover time! That evening Britt was trying to get me to do my nails I didn't feel like fussing with the nail polish remover and having to pick out a new color, blah blah blah. Then the following morning she encouraged me to shower and get around first thing. Which I did once I got home but didn't want to fuss with that yet again. I met my parents at JP's for coffee and there my mom gave me hand lotion --- I had terribly dry hands so once again I didn't think anything of what my mom was doing or Britt. Little did I know.

I went shopping with my parents then we headed home I really wanted to go see puppy's at a shelter and then go wine tasting my dad initially said yes then after a quick trip to my neighbors he backed out. My mom offered to play board games all afternoon. Brad earlier had sent me a text with what time he was going to pick me up ---- I felt guilty leaving my parents so we decided to meet them for dinner after our two hour date. Little did I know...

So we left. All the way down Quincy I was guessing what we were going to do. Since he asked me to dress warm I figured we were going ice skating and I was determined that is what we were doing, there was no way he could trick me. Well no sooner had be told me no to ice skating were two lights flashing behind us... one red, one blue. Ticket. Speeding. Oops, in hindsight I'm sure he was nervous and he was on a time crunch. He wanted to get out of the car and talk to him but I thought he was crazy and that it was highly illegal!! On we went.

Brad started out our date by parking near the museum I got all excited and thought we were going to the museum. But he started by letting me know that I should not be expecting anything and that all he wanted to do was something special since I am always surprising him and doing nice things for him. With the conversation we had the weekend before [details.] I knew not to expect anything until the end of the year or until next year so I really truly did believe him. He then handed me what would be my first clue to the scavenger hunt. As you can see in the following pictures I really did not have any clue what would happen at the end and yes I was 110% surprised!

Our engagement story is best told with pictures... Enjoy!

First stop: Lemonjello's

Next stop: Skiles

Followed by: 84 East

Our Bar

New Holland Brewery

Starting to get suspicious: Curragh

JP's Coffee Shop

Subs & More

Seasoned Home

Outpost

Model Drug Apothecary

The whole time I was asking questions as to how he got all of these messages. I was also very curious to know if my parents knew what our surprise was. Question answered at 8th Street Grille

Time to grab some ice cream, we split one cause it was so cold. Coldstone

My last note given to me by the Cold Stone employee --- off for my walk alone!

At this point I was at Cold Stone and Brad told me he had to go to the bathroom and for me to find a seat. No sooner was I sitting down taking a bite of our ice cream was the girl who worked there walking towards me with the letter above. I was off to Centennial Park -- I was determined to beat him there cause there was no way he could've snuck out the back and me not cross path with me. Little did I know he was picked up by our secret photographers! Off I walked...

Once I got there I took my sweet time walking towards him I even snapped a couple pictures on my phone of him I was curious how he got the flowers so quick but didn't cross my mind what was about to happen. Once I reached the fountain he explained that the letters were a reminder of how loved and proud people think I am and that along the way I often times forget. I thought it was so sweet and that was all I thought was happening ---- boy was I wrong!

How the heck did he run there and get flowers, I was impressed!

Thanking him for the surprise!!

At this point and I kid you not bells were ringing and there was a nice snow falling silently around us.

Shocked, shaking, but SO excited!

No, I did not fall over I was putting the ice cream down, we never even ate it!

On it goes --- me asking if he asked my dad lol

I like this one :)

Checking out the bling!

The day was magical, beautiful, surprising, and so full of love! I want to box it all up and keep it forever. I'm hoping one day I will look back on this post and smile remembering it all. Brad has always been some sort of a romantic but he topped it with this proposal. I am forever grateful for the pictures captured along the way they will make for beautiful stories in the future. I am beyond excited and beyond happy!!

More love to come later! Until then I'm going to enjoy being engaged!

Thank you to everyone who made the trip, took part and congratulated us on our engagement!! We cannot wait to celebrate!