She Said YES!

Thinking of a way to surprise Kate was difficult to say the least. I knew I wanted to propose to her but I also knew I wanted to do it in the most meaningful way I could think of, maybe even be a little "cheesy" if you will. I normally tell Kate everything so when I would think of an idea I would get so excited and I had to keep my mouth shut, so instead I talked to my buddies about it, or anyone who would listen! Bouncing idea after idea off of them. Finally it came it me, a puzzle! Kate and I have spent many weekend mornings in a coffee shop, unrolling our puzzle mat to work on a good puzzle, with a cup of coffee and some excellent conversation. We have our favorite puzzling shops but if I was going to propose I did not want an audience. It did not take me long to combine one favorite activity with another, weekend walks. I knew I would prepare a picnic and take a walk to a park and do it all there. Deciding what the puzzle would be a picture of was another challenge. I made many different signs saying different cheesy phrases and had a friend take pictures of me holding the signs along the trail we would walk on. I put together a collage, had the puzzle made and ordered the ring. Then I had to wait. And wait. And wait some more. Finally (and early even) everything arrived and it was go time. We walked down to the water, unrolled our large puzzle mat and began to puzzle. The rest turns into a blur of nerves and butterflies as I tried to pull off a surprise puzzle all before she had enough time to connect all the dots. Though she started to figure out what was going on it was a moment of surprise, tears of happiness and excitement as she said yes and we prepare to begin our next journey together, marriage!

This is one of the many pictures included in the puzzle collage!