For months I was hinting that we should go to the jewelry store to check out ring designs and get measured. Kate would get excited but also emphasize that we were in no rush. Of course, I had already planned to do my proposal while we were in Scotland. I wasn't sure where but I knew it would be on that trip. Under secret cover, I acquired the ring and brought it with me on the trip. I didn't know when I wanted it to happen (I figured I would wait until I felt the moment was right) so I carried the ring in my jacket pocket every day. Destination after destination, I kept looking around for the right location but none felt right until we stopped at St. Andrews. Walking among so much history and with picturesque views no matter which way you turned, I found the city I wanted to make it happen. Kate's parents were with us as well and we had been planning incognito the whole trip. From our hotel room I spotted a perfect view in between the beach and the world's oldest golf course. I decided it was there I would make my move. So everyone loaded up their jackets, poured up a glass of Old Pulteney 17 year, and we set off wandering towards the beach. For Kate, it was just a casual walk before dinner, but that soon changed when we reached the benches by the beach. It was then that I gathered everyone around and offered a toast. I praised family and adventures together. My toast though quickly turned it's attention to Kate directly. I didn't just enjoy our adventures, but also the finding of my partner and soulmate. The past 3 years had been an amazing period of growth but I was thinking of the rest of our lives. So I opened up that jacket pocket, took out the ring that had been burning a hole the whole trip, and bent down on one knee. After a bit of shock and confusion, I got the "yes" I was looking for and the rest of our lives began together.

When a passport is an essential packing item, I know it's going to be a memorable trip - more so when mom, dad and my boyfriend of 3-years are the companions. As we planned our trip to Scotland, I was anxious to explore castles in cities filled with rich history, never ending green fields and enjoying Scotch, down into my belly. But a proposal? I didn't want to get my hopes up nor over think it - since no girls ever do that. We arrive in Scotland Saturday and the scenery is a real life fairytale. The windy roads took us from the countries capital, the coasts and up to legendary St. Andrews on Thursday where we begin exploring the cobblestone roads and walk the course where golf was invented. Roupen proposes that we go back, change for dinner and enjoy a glass of scotch down at a look-out that faces the ocean one direction, St. Andrews golf course another and the last, an outline of the city. After a full six days exploring, I’ll admit, I wanted to do the opposite and stay in. Three against one, everyone changes, Scotch in hand and we go down to the look out point. It was around sunset and the sun was competing with a series of storm clouds over the ocean - just beautiful plus, no one else there. As he’s done before, Roupen raises a toast about our families, this trip and our relationship. So I thought, nothing out of the norm. Meanwhile, mom has her phone in full recording mode as she does since she is queen for capturing commemorative moments - once again, nothing out of the normal. The plot twist, Roupen turns to me and says, “which leads me to my next question.” I black out as I see him get down on one knee, getting a box out of the same jacket pocket where we had seen him get pooped on by a bird, to propose. If only my jaw dropping, face grabbing could have said yes quicker than my brain and mouth could respond, for me to acknowledge and say Y-E-S!