The Proposal

I am sure you guys have been waiting to hear about the proposal and how it went down ever since we posted it on facebook and twitter. I had been secretly planning the proposal for quite sometime in how and when I would do it. I actually had the ring hidden away safely for over a month before proposing. My first detour in proposing in Estes Park, CO was most things start shut down in September. We had planned to do an aerial trolley ride up to Prospect Mountain. I thought this would be perfect that way I could get an innocent bystander to take a picture of the engagement. 

Next with the flood that damaged Boulder and the surrounding areas this year it had caused a lot of roads and businesses to shut down early for the year. We went back to our itinerary we had originally mapped out and planned all over again. While we were mapping out the itinerary I was secretly mapping out when and where I will propose. We had put Flattop Mountain down for our second day hike. I decided that this would be the best spot for a proposal at the summit.  A hike that is 12,342 feet. 

When I had packed I put the ring inside my jacket into my suit case. I did this so I wouldn't have to pull it out  at the airport when they checked us and I didn't wear that jacket the first day we arrived. 

Heading out to hike Flat Top Mountain. The ring is tucked inside my pocket on my left side, your right when viewing. 

 When began our hike after a big hearty breakfast that included Elk Smokies. This also happened to be the windiest day we were there. It was almost too bad to do any hiking and we almost switched which mountains we were going to do. In my head, I'm screaming....nooooooo! We can't hike any where else, I had been studying Flattop Mountain for weeks. We did get to Flattop Mountain and packed down our food and body warmers. It was super windy, as I mentioned. Getting out the car the wind would shut your door for you.

We embarked upon our journey up Flat Top mountain through ice and snow. Early in the hike she would ask to reach for the camera lens that was in my pocket that I was having trouble getting too with gloves on. I yelled "No" of course she can't reach for the camera lens there's a ring near there, I was thinking. I might have blurted "No" out a little fast, she was like ok, Weirdo.

All Smiles here. 

Once we got above the treeline that is when things got a little harry. The wind picked up brutally again with strong gusts. We got off the trail and trudged and crawled through waist deep snow, Calley at this point wasn't a happy camper. I could see the trail not too far away so we kept moving towards it.

Emerald Lake over-look I am sure she is faking this smile. Just before the going got really tough. 

I'm thinking we were almost to the top and I'm about to propose. 

At this point with some outrageous winds Calley will have no more and gets upset for me wanting to keep going. She doesn't know I'm about to propose to her. 

At this point past the Emerald Lake there was a stretch of strong wind, it must had been where the Continental Divide was. Winds were gusting out of control and blowing the snow around. At this point I couldn't get Calley to go past this point. Calley started crying making me feel bad. "I never seen you like this before, what has got into you that you want to get to the top so bad," she said. I responded, "I had visioned that we would reach the top holding hands." She starts storming back down the mountain. I thought I probably won't be proposing today. What will be plan B?  I did think of Plan B on our way up, we had passed Dream Lake overlook and thought this would the be the perfect spot if we didn't make it to the top. At this point though I didn't think Plan B would happen either. 

With her being upset she stormed back down. Quickly trying to come up with plan to calm her down in time. As we were getting closer to Dream Lake I started singing Randy Travis, "Forever and Ever, Amen", which has been song to her since we saw Randy Travis at Billy Bob's several months ago. I thought she was about to keep walking right past it but I asked her to stop for a second. I through down my hat down and took off my gloves. She asked, "What are you doing?" I just pulled her close and told her how blessed I was to be with her. I sneaked the ring out of my pocket opened the box and got down one knee. She finally realized what was happening and why I was trying to get her to the top of the mountain. I am certain this location worked out even better with out the forceful winds and beautiful overlook to remember. She said, "YES!"

She's either or excited or just realized what she's done for the rest of her life. :) 

All Smiles! 

Of course we had to post a gangsta pic!

The rest of time we had a lot of fun celebrating, hiking, sight-seeing, shopping the strip at Estes Park. The Elk walk the streets in the early morning. Below are a few pictures from the trip. The rest can be found on my facebook page.

Thanks again for reading we are looking forward to beginning the next chapter here sometime in 2014.