...forever?

It seems like yesterday, but it was 15 years ago when we first met. We met at a family 4th of July party and had a mutual friend that invited us both to the 4th of July celebration. We started the day with playing backyard football, swimming in the pond, and doing tricks off the zipline. Although Ethan had to leave before the fireworks went off that night, there was an instant attraction to say the least. From that day on, we started a friendship which would develop into our beautiful story.

Over the course of the year we were friends, we got to know one another quite well. We were pretty much inseparable at that point. The night of 7/4/2008 would change things for good though. We went to an abandoned fire tower to star gaze in Bardin. It was in the middle of nowhere, completely secluded, and above all the tree tops so all of the stars could be seen. Amid all of the gazing, that is when the official "will you be my girlfriend" question was asked. The night was perfection and so began our true love story.

We love to take trips together and be outdoors, especially those trips to the mountains on the East Coast. This year was more of a surprise trip as Ethan would not reveal the actual location we were going. When we arrived, he booked Jocassee Treehouse for us stay in for the long weekend and it was amazing! We spent the first day exploring the area and enjoying what the treehouse area had to offer. The second day of the trip is when all things really got exciting. We went on a long hike at King Creek Falls that morning and ventured to Brasstown Falls that afternoon. We were frolicking in the falls, doing a little waterfall climbing, and skipping rocks at the base of Brasstown Falls. That's when it happened. As we were skipping rocks, Ethan gave me a rock to skip and then he pulled out the ring with his other hand and asked "what do you think about this rock" and proceeded to propose. It was the most beautiful moment ever. We spent the rest of the trip on cloud nine adventuring and enjoying what the area had to offer as an engaged couple.

We cannot wait to celebrate the next chapter of our lives at our micro-wedding. Since we are very laid back and adventurous people, it will be a very relaxed setting, but still AMAZING! For those attending, see you all at Laughing Bear Lodge in October! <3