After 9 months of painstakingly keeping it a secret, Ryan did it! Honestly, it really couldn’t have been more perfect. As they say – it was worth the wait. The big event happened over Labor Day Weekend. Ryan, and I both love the San Juan Islands, and we were headed out on his family’s boat – The Hyde-Aweigh for the long weekend. On Sunday we moored in the south cove of our favorite spot, Jones Island State Park where we spent the afternoon skipping rocks, paddle boarding, and soaking in the late summer sun. One of the best parts of Jones Island, is the sunset, so in the evening we always like to go ashore and hike up to a rocky bluff where you can see an unobstructed view. While we lingered, we saw porpoises leaping out of the water, and boats sailing by. As the sun finally dipped down, I knew something was up. Ryan’s heart was beating very fast, and moments later, he was bent down on one knee. What I didn’t see coming next was this - Ryan is on one knee presenting a beautiful ring, our hands are both shaking, and Ryan DROPS THE RING! Panic sets in. I look into Ryan’s eyes horrified. I look down, and see the ring. I pick up the ring, and hand it back to Ryan. Since high school, Ryan has wanted to do a proposal prank, by presenting a fake ring and then DROPPING it to the depths of the sea below. Panic would then ensue, and he would pull out the real ring to propose with. Because the ring didn’t actually fall into the ocean below us, Ryan didn’t fully realize his prank, however it was enough to give me a heart attack, so he definitely achieved his goal. Still down on one knee, Ryan presents the official engagement ring. We walk back in the dusky evening light to the Hyde-Aweigh, where we celebrate with champagne and listen to a nearby sailor playing his guitar and singing old songs. It was the perfect way to start the new phase of our lives together.