I can't even really believe I'm typing this...as I'm typing it. Yesterday, my wonderful boyfriend of almost 6 years asked me to marry him.
It's official...WE'RE ENGAGED!
It's the weirdest feeling to be able to type those words, say those words, yell those words into the phone to our families and friends. So weird, and so, so good.
It's no big secret I have been waiting for this for awhile...I've been planning on Pinterest for months, I watch Say Yes to the Dress way too much, and the ring now sitting happily on my left ring finger has been picked out since last June.
I knew it was coming this year. We had talked and really felt like this year would be right. I want a long engagement so that I can plan-because I'm a crazy planner (lol) and he is graduating at the end of the year!
But I had NO IDEA...i repeat absolutely NO IDEA that it would happen today. I had convinced myself actually that it would be much later this year because he would be stressed with school and I was absolutely CERTAIN that no ring had been purchased.
Little did I know, that the ring we found and I fell in love with last year, and have admittedly pulled up on my computer several dozen times just to stare at-was purchased the very next day.
He picked it up in December, and has been saving it for the right time.
He struggled with the place, and the time, and ultimately chose Valentine's Day. Mostly because he knew it was the very last day of the entire year that I would ever expect it. I think we have actually talked a time or two about how "cliche" Valentine's proposals are. But, after over 5 and a half years of dating and me knowing this was coming at some point, and me thinking I knew what days it wouldn't happen-this day was perfect.
I did not expect the events of today at all...and I could not be more happy.
So here you go....the Proposal :)
About a week ago, we started talking about Valentine's day and he asked me if there was anything I wanted to do. I told him it didn't matter to me and that I knew he had work in the morning and school after. He nonchalantly mentioned that he could probably get out of class if I wanted to go away for the day since he would be off work by 10 am. I thought this sounded like fun but told him if he really needed to be in class not to worry. We didn't really talk about it again until Monday when I asked him if he had decided on any plans for Valentine's day. He said he didn't have class anymore so he would pick me up like 10:30 or so and we could head up to Tahoe for the day-which we often do, so I thought nothing of it.
The rest of the day on Monday he kept texting me saying he was doing homework or working on school stuff so he couldn't hang out...which also happens often-so i thought nothing of it- I knew he was probably trying to get everything that was due Wednesday done before we were gone to Tahoe all day Tuesday.
Little did I know he was preparing for today. He didn't even have class. Sneak, Sneaky. And this morning , he didn't have work. Nope, he requested that off a month ago.
Instead what my amazing guy was doing yesterday and from 6am to 10am this morning was driving to Apple Hill (to this spot that over the years has become special to us) and setting this up for me:
He sent me a text this morning asking me to be his valentine and told me he would be at my house around 10:40. He picked me up and we headed to Jack in the Box to grab me some breakfast before getting on the road. Now maybe at this point I should have thought something was up-he made a U-turn and headed towards South Lake. We always go to North Lake except for maybe two times...But when I said "we always go to North lake where are we going?" He casually responded "I thought we'd just go to South Lake since we never do." Again, I thought nothing of it. (Later I would learn, he actually contemplated doing it in North Lake, but decided this place was better.)
So we headed out towards South Lake Tahoe listening to some love song mix CD I made him for his birthday two years ago and talking about normal things. He didn't seem different, or nervous, or anything really-he was just My Kyle.
We were driving along when we both saw the Apple Hill sign, and he said "Apple Hill?" To which I quickly responded "Sure why not, we don't have plans." And he turned off the freeway. Now here was my next hint...another one I didn't really catch...He got to our spot so quickly. We found this spot amongst the windy roads of Apple Hill back on our 6 month anniversary and we had a picnic there. It was such a great day. We ate and talked for literally hours-and it instantly became a favorite place for the both of us. We went back two or three times after that looking for it, but could never find it. So a few years ago we asked some people to help us find it, and we have been going back regularly-the last time was in October. Even if we don't picnic there, every time we go to Apple Hill we stop at that spot and walk around. It's usually hard to find though-but on this day Kyle suddenly knew some crazy quick route. But I just assumed he learned from the last time we spent hours driving around looking for it. (I'd find out later, he had been there several times lately and had even met the man who owns the property).
We pulled up to the park and I still had no idea. I had hopes...because I always did...but I didn't expect it in the least.
I put on my jacket and he put on his and we started walking down the grassy hill. I noticed the balloons in the distance almost immediately. I started saying things like "Are those for me?" "Did you do this?" "Did you have to ask someone?" I even asked "Is this legal?" (haha. Kyle loved that one.) As we got closer I realized that this was in fact for me and I thought It was so sweet. I told him as we got closer that I felt like crying that he was too sweet and I couldn't believe he had done all this for me. (Still didn't think we were getting engaged.) Now I should explain, my boyfriend (fiancé now...have to get used to that) is extremely corny. In the absolute best way. That being said, it would not have been too crazy for him to actually have done this for me just for a Valentine's Day date. So, I still just wasn't sure. It wasn't until I tried to sit down at the chairs and table that he had brought in that I realized something was happening. He hugged me...told me he loved me...and proceeded to get down on one knee.
This is NOT a photo from the actual moment when he proposed...we jokingly took it after...it is the spot where he did it though. (And I was later informed that the whole thing was videotaped by a GoPro hanging in the tree above us-true Kyle Haubert fashion. So we are hoping to be able to take still shots from the footage of the actual moment!)
So yes, down on one knee...he proceeded to tell me how much he loved me and some other things. To be perfectly honest I cannot remember all that he said because I could not even believe it was happening. (He told me he remembers it and will write it down for me so I'll know forever)
I do remember him saying "Jerra Lyn Copp...(then reaching in his jacket pocket)...Will you marry me?" And I said "YES!". We hugged and kissed and then I said "Can I put that on please?!" haha.
We were both shaking so bad it was hard to get a good picture...but I think this one definitely does it justice. It is absolutely beautiful.
After the initial shock died down a little we both got out our phones to make some calls...
He had already asked my dad so I called my mom and told her the news! Then the rest of our parents, my brothers, his brothers, uncles, aunts, grandmas, my girlfriends and his friends. We had a blast waiting for people to pick up and yelling "WE'RE ENGAGED!!!" It was so exciting. Everyone was so wonderful. We felt so much love and encouragement from each and every call and text.
We have such a great support system, and it was so great to share our news!
After making some phone calls we set up a picnic-it was too cold to sit in the chairs in the shade so we laid out a blanket and ate on the grass just like we did the first time we went there. I couldn't eat though! I was too excited. He was so thoughtful though. Brought my favorites and thought of absolutely everything it seemed. It could not have been more nicely planned out. I felt so incredibly special and so, so loved.
We sat and talked for awhile and then decided to take some pictures...we have literally thousands of pictures together and we take them everywhere we go. I love pictures :)
So here you go...some of our own engagement shoot haha. Enjoy.
We ended the day driving to South Lake Tahoe for some walking around and dinner, before coming home to make the rounds to our houses and see our families.
Everything was absolutely perfect and I could not feel more blessed. I am so thankful for this amazing guy that God has given me, and I cannot wait for our future together.
Happy Valentines Day everyone.
This is certainly one I will NEVER forget.