Come celebrate with us!

We were going apple and pear picking, which has become a tradition we both love. It's one of my favorite Autumn activities. Earlier in the day, while Cullen was at work (or so I thought), He asked if I was planning on dressing cute so we could take pictures at the apple orchard like we usually do. I didnt think anything of it because he knows I like to overly document everything, I said of course and insisted he did too. We went to the same orchard we always go to and really love. One of the reasons we have fallen in love with this orchard and visit it every year, is they usually have really amazing Honeycrisp apples, but this year they weren’t having such a good year for them, and I was kinda bummed because those are my favorite. So we picked a few huge pears, took some cute pictures and then I was ready to head home. But Cullen suggested that we wander a bit more, and go check out some of the apple orchard we had never explored before. Brielle and I agreed, but I definitely tried to head back several times because I was kinda sad about the Honeycrisps and thought we had gone far enough. Let’s just say I was completely oblivious of his plans. When we reached the very back corner of the orchard Cullen stopped us. And right there, under a huge pine tree with a beautiful view of the whole orchard and the surrounding area, he took my hands and started talking really seriously. He told me how much he loves me and how much I mean to him. Then he used my full name and asked if I would marry him. Of course I said yes! Then Cullen turned to Brielle and pulled out a ring just for her with two ruby hearts (the ruby is both of their birthstones), and asked her if he could be her stepdad. I cried when he asked her because it meant a lot to me that he wanted to make sure he got her permission and that she was going to be happy with us getting married. The whole thing was more perfect than I could have imagined! It was the best surprise that I totally didn't know was coming!

Part One We had plans to go apple picking, but the proposal was not part of that plan originally. We were going to Smith Berry Barn, an apple orchard we had been to before that we both loved. I had been making payments on Amanda's ring and had a few months left but I couldn't wait anymore. I had been racking my brain on when and how I was going to pop the question, and then it hit me. What could be a more perfect place then an apple orchard in the middle of fall at a place we already had such great memories. So the day before I called Shane Co and asked if they could do me a favor and have the ring ready by tomorrow (it usually takes a few days) but they did it! So the next day I convinced my manager at work to let me leave early so I could get the ring before we went apple picking. As I was on my way to get the ring and sitting in stopped traffic on 26 all I could think about was what I was going to tell Amanda if she happened to see sitting in traffic while I was supposedly at work. But I made it there without being spotted and ruining the surprise. But I wasn’t out of the woods yet, I still needed to make it to Fred Meyers Jewelers because I wanted to get Brielle a ring as well so I could as her permission. We made it to the orchard with Amanda none the wiser to what I had planned. We walked around picking some apples here and there but honestly they weren't that good looking. Amanda and Brielle were ready to head back with the few decent apples we found but I hadn't got to ask yet. So very nonchalantly I suggested we keep walking a bit farther back into the orchard until we reached the back where it opened up underneath a big pine tree. I had found my spot.

Part Two Here goes nothing... I stopped and looked at my beautiful wife to be in her eyes and took her hands. With a very quivery voice I told her how much I loved her, Brielle and the little baby boy we hadn't even met yet, how much I loved our little family we were making together. I reached into my jacket pocket to pull out the little gray box I had been carrying this whole time. I got down on one knee and tried my hardest to get out the words. Amanda Renee Guyot will you marry me? She said yes! I put the ring on her finger and stood up, we hugged and kissed and looked at the ring she had long awaited for on her finger. But I wasn’t done. I turned to Brielle and got back down on one knee. I reached into my jacket once more and pulled out a little black box this time. As I opened the box I asked Brielle if I could be her step dad. She said yes! As we all stood there under that big pine tree, all a little teary eyed I was so incredibly happy they both said yes, and so relieved my spur of the moment plan had gone off so smooth.