Engagement Story

I have the best fiance, yes fiance such a weird word to say, at this moment it all feels a little surreal. I was starting to think this day was never gonna come. You see, James and I have been dating for over six years. We have known for a while marriage was the next step, but were waiting to both feel secure in our careers.

After the holidays we began the search for a ring. My criteria included vintage touches, preferably an estate piece, and if that also included a great deal, it would make it even better. Well after choosing a few favorites, I left it up to James to choose the one and surprise me. I knew their was one we both liked best, it met all criteria and knowing my fiance I thought he would buy it the next day and give it to me immediately. He just can't hold out on giving me gifts, it's like they burn a hole in his pocket.

Well that didn't happen, my birthday came shortly after and I was sure I would get it then. Again that didn't happen. James then started talking about visiting other jewelry stores and maybe custom creating something. I was asking, what happened to the one I loved, he said it was gone, they sold it already. I was really bummed because I just knew that was the one. I tried to forget about it and just let it happen.

We had a trip planned to visit James's grandmother in Asheville, as she hasn't been doing well. The rest of his family had been the week prior, so I didn't expect anything different. We were staying at The Holiday Inn Express and as far as I knew had dinner reservations in downtown Asheville for Saturday night. I begged him to go visit Biltmore while we were there and almost bought us tickets. He stopped me and said his relatives had season passes we could use. I was excited about the trip, but given the circumstances, didn't really think we were gonna get engaged.

Afterwork Friday, he was very adamant that I be ready to go as soon as he got home, not a minute late. I was pushing back, asking what's the rush, we don't have any plans. He said he just wanted to get going, it had been a long day and he was ready to get there. In the car around 7:30 I was hungry and kept trying to find a place to stop. James kept saying he wasn't hungry and didn't really wanna stop.

I decided I really wanted Chick-Fil-A and insisted he pull off. Well he changed lanes, but got on another highway. A little disgrunteled, I peppered him with questions like, "what are you doing, your going the wrong way, we are going to get lost, you missed Chick-Fil-A." Basically being a crazy girl, no surprise there.

Well then came the surprise, he reached behind my seat and handed me a book and said "here, read this and just calm down." It was a scrap book and I thought, what's this? I started flipping through the pages and this is what I saw. 

Of course I said yes. I felt like such an idiot, of course I would ruin the surprise. We were not heading to Asheville, but to Trout Dreams, an amazing mountain house in Linville Ridge. He knew this was one of my favorite places as we have spent many vacations here and had some of the best times. He had a special dinner planned, with a really nice bottle of Champagne and cake. He knew pulling off the trip without me figuring it out would be tough, but of course I made it even harder. How he managed to pack all these surprises without me finding was truly a feat in itself.

House in Linville 

He had the ring in the center console and it was the one I thought I wasn't getting. He was able to wait and plan this amazing weekend to surprise me. I was most shocked by the scapbook. I couldn't believe he made it all alone and hand drew all the images, it is something I will cherish forever. I will never know how he managed to pull off making this in our house without me finding it.

After taking it all in we called my sister first, as we knew she would be most excited, followed by my family who knew about the ring but not about the weekend. I proceeded to call friends all of whom had already been informed that this was coming. I told you he couldn't keep these things a surprise. I can't believe everyone knew but me.

We arrived at the house, I was still in shock and so excited. We took the rest of the weekend to just relax and enjoy each others company. James served me breakfast in bed Saturday morning another part of my surprise weekend. Then we went into Blowing Rock for lunch and a little window shopping. He stopped on the way back up the mountain at a nail salon for me to get a manicure. I was seriously embarrassed by the condition of my nails and wanted to give my beautiful ring the canvas it deserves.

The sweet dinner he prepared

Breakfast in Bed

He also made dinner reservations at the Gamekeeper, a very well regarded local restraunt with amazing reviews and innovative, farm-to-table cuisine, highlighted by garden fresh organic vegetables and a wide array of unique proteins and meats, including things like Ostrich, Venison Osso Bucco, Rattlesnake, etc. It was a lovely evening with amazing food, surroundings and of course company.

Salad, Entree, Dessert at Gamekeeper

Fiance looking good at Gamekeeper

If this amazing weekend wan't enough. I still had one more surprise awaiting me. Flowers delivered to my office from my fiance thanking me for a wonderful and memorable weekend, with the promise of more flowers in the years ahead.  What an amazing fiance I have.

We can not wait to start this new journey in our lives.