We decided to plan a trip to Mexico with some college friends, Mike and Aubrie, just for fun, several months in advance. The day started out with our flight being delayed and arriving in Cancun to rain. While Aubrie and I checked in at the front desk, Cullen and Mike were headed off to make the dinner reservations (and to book the photographer- but I did not know this). Once everyone was finally checked in, Cullen and I headed to our room on the 2nd floor, but were unable to get in because our key did not work. With over an hour wasted trying to check-in and enter our room, we headed on back to the front desk and worked on getting a new room. Well... they ended up giving us a room on the 5th floor with the best views of the ocean (everything happens for a reason right!). So now we have only a little bit of time to relax by the beach. The boys had told us that 6:15pm was the only time they could get a reservation for dinner. The time is now 5:00pm and I am trying to convince everyone that we should skip dinner and enjoy the warm, sunny weather while we have it. At this point, I was very confused why no one would agree to skip our fancy dinner for the sun and beach. We agree to meet back downstairs at 6:00pm to take some pictures as couples at sunset on the beach. We head up to the room and frantically try to get ready in time to make it for our reservation. While I was getting ready, Cullen was nervously texting Mike and Aubrie, and the photographer, making sure everything was set-up to go for the proposal. The time is now 6:10pm, we are running downstairs to the beach to make it in time for sunset, I'm putting my heels and jewelry on in the elevator, and Cullen is trying to somehow hide the ring box from me the whole time. The whole walk down to the beach I am absolutely clueless, taking pictures of the resort, and Cullen is telling me to hurry up so we don't miss the sunset. We see our friends at the beach, start taking some pictures of each other, and a resort worker came up and asked if we wanted a picture as a group. Thinking this is very typical at a resort, I agreed. The photographer started taking pictures of all of us, with me still not having a clue what is going on and convincing everyone we are going to miss dinner. The photographer was having us do all these silly poses, but he finally had Cullen stand behind me for the final pose. The moment I felt Cullen's hand slip off my right hip, it hit me that he was getting down on one knee and proposing to me. I was in pure shock and joy to see Cullen proposing to me in the most romantic, beautiful place. The photographer continued to take photos of us for the next couple of minutes and then left us on the beach to celebrate. There was no 6:15pm dinner reservation, it was actually at 7:30pm. Everyone had just told me this to get me down to the beach in time for the proposal at sunset. I was completely surprised and it was truly the most magical day. Shoutout to our friends Mike and Aubrie for helping Cullen come up with this elaborate plan!

Exactly one month after Cullen proposed, our friends threw us a surprise engagement party. The day started out with Cullen and I visiting two different wedding venues at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. We were absolutely exhausted that day and even took two separate naps. We had plans to go to dinner at Horse Thief Hollow with both of our parents to discuss the wedding venues later that night. Earlier that day, our parents were talking about going to Cork & Kerry after dinner for a drink, but both Cullen and I were exhausted and reluctant to go. While at dinner, we saw a couple friends who convinced us to go over for a drink, which was nothing out of the ordinary. Cullen and I agreed to go for just a few, but obviously that was not the case. As we arrived, we mindlessly wandered into the bar and looked for a table, and unknowingly walked into our own surprise party! To say the least, we instantly gained our energy back and had a great, long night celebrating with all of our friends and family.