After year four or five of their relationship, Cyrus and Whitney began casually bringing up the conversation of "that marriage thing" and everything that goes along with it. Cyrus, being an intelligent guy, slowly started to realize the thing that really kicks off an ever-bonding agreement is an engagement ring. The search for that perfect little trinket started in a very practical and blunt way by asking Whitney what kind of ring she wanted. Cyrus figured if she was going to wear it until some doctor has to cut it off, she might as well like it. This was a very smart move on Cyrus' part because, as it turned out, Whitney doesn't really like diamond rings. She likes sapphire rings. Upon discovering this fact Cyrus was stoked because everything he had heard about diamond rings lead him to believe they were expensive little buggers. So the hunt for a sapphire ring began, and continued endlessly. Months went by and Whitney had planned a four day backpacking trip into the Beartooths for a little R&R (if you consider dragging your ass through the mountains R&R). It was a week before the trip and the panic really started to set in for Cyrus. Backpacking is one of Whitney's favorite things to do, and they hadn't gone on a trip for a while. Cyrus thought this would be the perfect opportunity to pop the question, but he still hadn't found that elusive little rock. Not wanting to let a golden engagement opportunity slip through his fingers, Cyrus invaded the local jewelry store where he knew they sold Montana sapphires. With very minimal hemming and hawing at the store of shiny wonders, Cyrus emerged victorious! He had a ring. Now all he had to do was figure out how to propose ( a thing that nobody really knows how to do). Great. The day of  the trip rolls around and Cyrus has successfully hidden the ring from Whitney for a whole week. No mean feat considering he has told pretty much anyone who would listen that he is going to propose to Whitney over their hiking trip.

The day of the adventure finally arrived and the young couple drove to Red Lodge, MT to make camp before heading out on the trail the following day. They pitched a tent, ate dinner, and made a fire by the river. As the sun set, they eased into their fancy reclining camp chairs to soak up the quiet landscape. Just as the sun waved goodbye for the night Whitney leaned over to Cyrus and said, " If you had a ring, this would be a good time to propose." Cyrus, whose pocket was burning from the carefully concealed ring, nearly s*** himself. Thinking fast he replied, "Sorry babe, there is like a six week waiting list on those things." He then quickly changed the subject. The whole night Cyrus tossed and turned. Did he miss his moment? It did seem rather unceremonious to reveal a ring after being prompted by Whitney. Ultimately Cyrus decided his decision to throw her off his trail was the smart move. The next morning Cyrus and Whitney packed up camp, dropped their truck off at the trail head and started their trek through the mountains. The heat was on. Cyrus began reciting some kind of monologue to go along with his bent knee proposal of lifelong partnership. He was starting to lose it. Every rocky outcrop and every bend in the trail was jockeying to become the immortalized location for the big question, but Cyrus kept his cool and they walked on. Deeper into the woods they went until Cyrus and Whitney arrived at the predetermined first camp location. It was at the edge of an alpine lake. Cyrus was sold. This was it. The perfect place. Cyrus reached into his pocked and fumbled for the ring, and just as he was about to whip it out, the skies opened up and the gods laughed as they poured buckets of cold rain on the head of our hero. "Flippin great," Cyrus thought, as he let the ring slip back into his pocket.

While the deluge continued, Cyrus and Whitney made camp and cooked dinner under the shelter of a big tree. After eating some weird dehydrated, ultra light backpacking mush, Cyrus started thinking that he might need to wait until the next day to propose. Not a bad option considering he still hadn't worked out what to say anyway. With the cookware cleaned and put away, Cyrus started walking back to the tent when suddenly the rain stopped and a double rainbow appeared in the sky. An actual double rainbow! His moment had arrived! Not wanting to give away the goose, Cyrus calmly suggested that he and Whitney take a stroll down to the lake to see what they could see. As they approached the lake, Cyrus spotted a little clearing in the trees illuminated by a beam of sunlight. Cyrus put his hand in his pocket and whispered to Whitney that he had a little something for her. He knelt down in about an inch of water and wet grass and presented the ring. Some more words were said, some tears were shed, and Whitney pretty much blacked out. Seriously, ask her. She can't remember anything Cyrus said to her at that moment. Long story short, Whitney said yes, which is a good thing because it would have been a very long hike in the woods if she didn't.