11.6.2014 The first day! 6.21.2019 The YES day! 8.1.2020 The best day!

Behind my childhood home in Mendota Heights, is a beautiful waterfall called Ivy Falls. Sarah and I have walked to this waterfall countless times and have always been the only people taking in the scenic view. The falls are very secluded and rarely have visitors. When Sarah and I first started talking, I suggested that we do a picnic with a bottle of wine by the waterfall, during sunset. Instantly, Sarah thought I was some romantic that had the best date ideas. The problem was that we never actually went on that date. Sarah had joked for years about how I came up with this romantic date idea, but never followed through with the plan. Therefore, I thought the perfect place to propose would be at the date spot which never happened. For anyone who knows Sarah, knows she is a planner. The hardest part for me was to plan a date night at our special place without her realizing my plan. All week the weather looked like it was going to rain, but my prayers were answered when the skies cleared. I told Sarah I wanted to pick up our favorite, Chipotle, for a picnic at the waterfall. She instantly knew something was up and there was no turning back at this point. Because she was suspicious, I told her we were going to a different spot. She continued to ask me what was going on. Utilizing my persuasion skills, I somehow talked her out of her thinking anything was going to happen because we each had family members out of town. Little did she know all these people, along with our closest family and friends, were going to be part of the surprise engagement party later that night. We walked the quarter mile through the woods, having casual conversation as my blood pressure rose. As we walked to the edge of the waterfall, there was a blanket lying on the ground with candles lit, roses, and a small black box. I took Sarah’s hand and walked her over to the blanket and asked her “Will you marry me?” It was the perfect moment as she replied "Yes!" and the rest is history!