How We Met
Our love story began back in 2016. It all started with a follow on Instagram. Yes, I said it, INSTAGRAM. I followed him….he DM’d me and well, 2 years later I can say with the fullest heart that I’m going to marry the man of my dreams.
How They Asked
It was Friday, June 1st, 2018. I was heading down to Laguna Beach to spend the weekend with Garrett and his family. Garrett’s parents had planned a family beach trip months prior, so it was something we were all looking forward to. We planned on spending the weekend relaxing on the beach, enjoying the nightlife and taking some family photos using the beautiful background Laguna provides. Fast forward to the morning of Saturday, June 2nd, Garrett and I woke up and walked to a local breakfast spot that was near our hotel. It was just the two of us. I vividly remember that morning over coffee we were reminiscing of all the amazing memories we’ve shared with one another over the last 2 years.
One specific memory, being that, of our first date. Exactly 2 years ago on this very day, Garrett had taken me out on our first date in Downtown Redlands. We reminded each other of all those nerves and first date jitters we both had. But, that only led us to further reminisce just how quickly we fell in love with one another. We both had gotten so lost in our conversation on our date that we didn’t even realize we had been there for hours laughing, joking and teasing one another. I truly felt like I had known this sweet, gentle guy my whole life…and from that night forward we grew to be inseparable.
After breakfast, we went about our day and spent most of it hanging out on the beach. That evening we were planning on driving over to Thousand Steps in Laguna to take family photos together.
It was around 5:30 pm, shortly before sunset when Garrett and I began to head over to Thousand Steps Beach. We planned on getting there before the rest of the family to find a good spot for a picture set up. Garrett and I had walked down to the beach and made our way to the shoreline. As we got closer to a spot that Garrett had suggested I noticed a little turquoise glass bottle wedged into the sand with a note rolled up in it. We walked right up to it and I looked over at Garrett and asked him, “Is this for me?” he said…”Yes, it is, you can open it if you’d like.”
My hands were shaking like crazy and my stomach was filled with butterflies as I was reaching down to pick up the bottle. I thought to myself, ”Is this really happening right now. IS THIS THE MOMENT!!!?” I unraveled the note and began to read the most beautiful words written by the man standing in front of me. I couldn’t help my eyes from starting to fill up with tears. As I finished reading I looked up to see Garrett down on his knee and he asked me those five unforgettable words. “Chelsey, will you marry me?” I felt like I was in a dream. Yes, yes, yes a million times YESSSS!
After we had our moment, Garrett and I began to walk up the beach. As we walked through the sand, I heard a crowd of people cheering, clapping and congratulating us. As I looked up to see where all the noise was coming from I saw a group of almost 20 people walking in our direction. As the group got a little closer to us, I realized it was our entire family! Our parents, siblings, and grandparents all had been watching the entire time! In the midst of everyone hugging and cheering us on I noticed there was a photographer who ran up alongside the crowd and he was capturing every moment! I was in complete shock and so overwhelmed that Garrett had put so much love and attention into every detail that went into this day.
After we left the beach, Garrett had made reservations for us and the entire family to go out to dinner to celebrate. To say that I was on cloud 9 the entire night would be an understatement. I couldn’t help but look down at my hand, and then over to Garrett and think “Is this real life!” We spent the rest of our evening with all the people in our lives who we loved so much. This day will forever hold the most special place in my heart.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together and to be this guys wife!!!
