We're getting married!!

As many of you might know, Gracie's family owns a number of local bars. I was at her brother Geoff's bar in Garfield way back when and her sister Sarah was bartending when I noticed this beautiful woman at the end of the bar with the sunshine from the window shining over her shoulder. Well, I decided then and there that I much preferred a bar seat nearer this sunshine woman. Sister Sarah made it clear that "HER SISTER" was sitting in that chair. But talk we did and a friendship was born that evening. Only later did I find out how much she loved spending time with our families, traveling, being on the water, gardening, making dinners together, the outdoors and so much more. Over time I was actually dumbstruck about how much we two had in common. So that's where it all began and Gracie is still very much my ray of sunshine.

Gracie and I were finally able to get up to the boundary waters last September. After lugging in what we soon realized was seriously too much of EVERYTHING, we settled down for a 5 day camping trip. But unbeknownst to Gracie, I had brought some extra supplies, a wedding ring, a bottle of wine, a rose and candles. It would truly have been amusing for all of you to hear how many times she complained about the weight of my dry bag with the secret "extras". Unfortunately for me, at each campsite I had to sneak away and bury my "treasure" which was nerve racking to say the least. On the second to the last night I went to "look for firewood". I had found the perfect spot in the woods on this island to open the wine (which did NOT want to cooperate) and light the candles. I came back for Gracie, but of course she wanted to show me the amazing firewood spot SHE had found (zero competitive spirit at all in Gracie for you who know her well...insert smiley face). Eventually I got her to come check out my spot, and as soon as she saw the candles all she kept saying was "Babe? What's going on Babe? Babe?". I got on one knee and stammered my little speech and SHE SAID YES. Of course 20 minutes later she asked if I had kneeled or how it all had happened :). Side note, ask Gracie about the bear!