Our Engagement Story!

I apologize for my absence yet again. But in all honesty, I have a great excuse!

Not only have we been taking a little time off the projects around the house to enjoy the last little bit of summer vacation before it slips away, but we also took a little camping trip with just the two of us to the mountains up above Shaver lake and the best thing ever happened...

Brandon proposed!

(and I said yes of course!)

Here's the whole cheesy, yet so perfect story.

First I should begin with a little back story about us:

Brandon and I first became friends back in 7th grade when he moved here and he was seated next to me. We even had to interview each other as an ice-breaker for school. He liked me pretty early on, but I was more interested in my horses than having some silly boyfriend. Then, years passed and high school rolled around. We were still close friends, but we started talking more and more until the day finally came when I realized I had a pretty big crush on him, and, thankfully, he still had his same crush on me. We started dating in December 2003 and have continued to be best friends through it all.

After buying our home last summer I began growing more and more impatient waiting for him to propose. I went through a lot of ups and downs. I mean, it is an incredibly frustrating experience when you know someone loves you, yet you constantly find yourself wondering, "What the hell are they waiting for?!" Meanwhile, me, the over-thinker, tosses and turns at night thinking and stressing over every last idea of why he is waiting so long and if it is ever going to happen. I would go through periods of insecurity, then acceptance and my patience would return; then, I'd get a little bitter for a moment before telling myself again to just be patient. I CONSTANTLY scrolled through wedding blogs and had totally caught wedding fever. I even joke that I'm a bridezilla in training. However, after nearly seven years of dating, I was so ready!

I apologize for all the friends and family who have endured my endless whining and moaning over how badly I wanted this lol, but let me say now that I'm glad it worked out the way it did. And ladies, if you find yourself in the postition I was in, I'm sure you can relate. But, as a word from the wise, be patient, it all works out in the end!

If you know me, you know I'm not the kind of person who likes to wait and wait for something I REALLY want. I get pushy until the point it starts to make me crazy (like I mentioned above).

Well, this weekend Brandon and I decided to take a camping trip to Courtright Reservoir with just the two of us. I had a feeling he might ask me, but I was also so worried I was getting my hopes up for nothing that I found myself repeatedly telling myself, "No, he's not ready".

He had purchased the exact ring I had always dreamed of about a month before, but he wasn't sure how to ask me. After all, when he bought the ring the woman at the counter asked, "Do you know how you are going to do it?!" and when he replied, "No", she said, "Well, keep in mind about 75% of women are disappointed!" He was wanting to make sure he did it right. He went to my parent's on Friday while I was at work to ask permission (which was adorable) and then Saturday morning we loaded up to leave.

Our day started with a long 4x4 adventure to Bald Mountain. I totally figured that if he would propose that would be the place. After all, he had gone on and on all week about this amazing mountain that overlooks Shaver lake and had stunning views of the valley below. After nearly four hours of 4x4ing (which was a lot of fun) we made it to the top. However, we were not alone. There were quite a few other people and I thought maybe he was going to wait until they left, but after some pictures and a smart ass remark from me (saying, "Gee, this would be a great place to propose") we hopped back in the truck and headed down the hill.

(Views from the top of Bald Mountain earlier that day)

Apparently, on the backside of the hill it only takes around 10-20 minutes back to the top instead of four hours of slow rock crawling, and we both thought it would be gorgeous at sunset. It was around 4:00 when we decided to try to hurry back to our camp (that was about an hour and twenty minutes away) and that we would load up and get back by sunset. We HAULED ASS through the mountains and loaded up our entire camp in under ten minutes. We laughed the whole time saying we make a damn good pair considering we had to break down our tent and everything. Then we got back in the truck to hurry out again. I felt excited about his determination to make it there by sunset, but I still was scared to really get my hopes up. After all, he made it sound like he was more excited about just spending time with me up there than doing anything else crazy. The ride up there was so rough since he was hurrying, and I laughed saying how impressed I was that I didn't get carsick. We were singing along with "American Pie" as we made it up the mountain just in time for the sunset.

(Brandon hauling ass up the 4x4 trail--- we were both bouncing out of our seats!)

(You think I would have caught on to that GIGANTIC grin he was wearing just before he proposed!)

We got out of the truck and it was SOOOOO cold. My teeth chattered so loudly that I couldn't help but laugh. We laid out a blanket and curled up. I was wearing shorts and he kept telling me to go put on jeans (because apparently he wanted me standing rather than curling up in a blanket lol). Then after taking a bunch of pictures the sun sank down below the trees, but the sky stayed lit up in a beautiful amber color. It was dead silent up there. He walked back to the truck and put on some slow music.

WARNING: for those who gag over sappy love stories, beware, it's about to get there!

Anyway, we were just slowly dancing along with the music and I was feeling a little bummed thinking that if he hadn't done it yet, he wasn't going to, but I was focusing on just enjoying the moment. Then out of the blue, and totally unplanned, our song came on the ipod. I looked at him and said "Don't you wish you had a diamond ring right now?" (because it was SOOO damn perfect!) and he laughed and said, "You're lucky I love you", and I asked, "Why?" Then he said, "because, damn, you're pushy". I just smiled and then we continued slowly dancing to our song.

(The view at sunset)

(Right where we stood)

Then I felt him reach into his pocket. I started to get excited and reminded myself that for all I know he could be scratching his leg, but then I felt his hand holding something behind my back. He said, "Caitlin. Sweetie. I love you so much". That's when he hit his knee and asked me. I don't really remember everything because the next thing I knew I was BAWLING my eyes out. I know I called him a butt-hole in between as I hugged him since he had me so worked over. I cried some more, and eventually said, "and by the way, yes!"

(We learned that is it hard to take great kissing pictures when you are that excited haha!)

After laughing, hugging, kissing, and a little more crying, we loaded up and headed back down the hill to find a spot to camp for the night.... both happy as can be.

I couldn't have planned a better proposal myself and I am so proud that he did it all on his own. He admitted he had parts of it planned, but everything fell into place just perfect! I feel like such a lucky girl to have such a great fiance and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together.