How We Met
We first met in middle school. We didn’t think much of each other because my best friend at the time was interested in her from 6th grade to sophomore year in high school. It wasn’t until sophomore year we got to know each other a bit more since we had some classes together. During this time of the year our school’s homecoming was quickly approaching and I had no date to the dance. I was feeling nervous because it was going to be my first high school dance and I wanted to have a date to bring. After multiple attempts of my friend trying to court Karen he finally gave up. He then said I should ask her out and see what happens. When I finally got the courage to ask her out to the dance we continued to talk and grew closer everyday. On March 5th, 2005 asked her to be my girlfriend and have been high school sweethearts ever since.
how they asked
The original plan for the proposal was suppose to be a surprise on Labor day weekend in Yosemite on top of Lembert Dome at sunset. But as I was planning this there were already a couple reasons this date was not meant to be. 1. Karen did not want to go on out annual group climbing trip because she tore her tendon in her ankle a week or two prior. So her excitement for her to go was gone since she could not climb. My friends and I convinced her to go because we promised we would piggyback ride her everywhere. 2. A friend texted me during our 8 ½ hour drive to Yosemite telling me that one of our other friends proposed to his girlfriend at the trip.
Once I found out, I pushed my proposal one more month so I can figure out what to do and where to go. I decided Mammoth Mountain to rock climb and gather our closest friends to capture/witness our special moment. I spent a week researching a perfect place to propose to her and eventually I found Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls had a lookout where I would be able to propose while having a 50 ft drop into glassy black water and have a rainbow spectrum across the waterfall’s spray as the sun rose behind us. Everyone woke up at 4:00 am except Karen, she was the last to wake up because she was too tired and too lazy to wake up to go on a 4 mile round trip hike in 35 degree weather to catch a sunrise at a waterfall.
I had to push her to get up and we eventually went on this blizzard hike where we can barley feel our hands and face. Once we reached the falls, my friends and I were searching for a perfect spot where they can be far enough to take a picture. As the time drew near all the butterflies started to kick in. I started to run the whole speech in my head and thought to myself this is going to flow easy and I wont cry.
When the time finally came, I started fumbling my words and had trouble describing everything I had so articulately planned out. As I was trying to say my lines, Karen was confused as to why I was tearing up. I finally got down on one knee and finally said “will you marry me?”
Special Thanks
Photographer: Astray Photography//Apparel: J Crew//Apparel: H&M//Fashion Designer: Urban Outfitters//Shoes:Johnston and Murphy//Event Venue: Joshua Tree National Park//Apparel: Stacey Adams//Apparel: Macy’s//Apparel: birkenstock//Apparel: MVMT//Restaurant: Stranahan’s