David and I met in middle school through our church youth group. We knew each other, but really didn't KNOW each other until 2015 when we officially met at a youth summer kick-off event. David had just started coming back to youth group after a break and quickly became the "cute new guy". David and I went from acquaintances to friends in a very short time. Our friendship really took off when we went on a youth group missions trip to Spokane, WA. I felt immediately comfortable with him. This is typically out of character for me. That's when I knew this friendship was different and maybe more. As the summer went on, we got closer and were CONSTANTLY texting (sorry Mom). By September, everyone knew we liked each other and it was just a matter of who would spill the beans first. With a little push from friends, I decided to put on the "big boy pants" and tell him I liked him. This was terrifying for a 16 year old girl who had never had a boyfriend. But I did it and it turns out the “new cute guy” liked me too. 6 years later, we are getting married and will forever be the cliche, "High school Sweethearts".

How did I propose? How do I retell a story as important as that and do it justice? The Pre-Engagement Story: Hannah and I had been dating for nearly 6 years and it was about time. So, I started scheming. One thing about me is I like to TRY to be unpredictable. Naturally, proposing on her birthday would be too predictable. Then again, she knows me and she knows I would try to be unpredictable. SO.... proposing on her birthday is absolutely perfect! Setting up the perfect day... I wanted to find a hike that had a waterfall where I could pop the question. James (my best friend and best man for my wedding) and I looked up as many hikes with waterfalls as we could find. Bridal Falls sounded like a good choice. Once we got there, we discovered there were way too many people. We searched and found an-off-the-beaten path that was up and close to the waterfall and no one was around. There was the perfect tree forming an arch. The plan was unfolding. It was James job to get here before us and hang pictures from the arch that showed our 6 year journey together. The day of the proposal… It was her birthday. To celebrate, after church we went directly to the new arcades at the Vancouver Mall. We crushed plenty of games! Not important to the story, but it is important to me that you know…I won the jackpot prize for Crossy Roads! More notably, I pulled off the 80’s high school sweetheart move on the Claw Machine and won the love of my life’s favorite stuffed animal, a Yoshi. Time flew by fast, even though I found myself incredibly nervous (and sweaty). It was about time for our hike. An hour’s drive and a couple texts later (to make sure James and his girlfriend were ready at the spot and ready to take pictures), we arrived. It wasn’t just any drive through the Columbia River Gorge. It was a drive where we jammed all the way there with the soundtrack of Frozen.

Upon arrival… Hannah was a bit curious about this “new spot” I found on a trail we already hiked. I couldn’t wait to show her the place. We waded through the bushy and uneven terrain with giggles and laughter along the way. We got to a steep hill just before the arched tree with hanging pictures. I was worried she would notice the pictures and think that something was up. The pictures were just up ahead in plain sight so I expected her to say something. We got halfway up the hill with no mention of it. Weird. Three-quarters of the way up… no mention of them. Does she really not see them? We get basically up the hill and one of the pictures is practically right above her. I ask her, “Hey love, are you not looking up?” She replies while her eyes are focusing on just getting up the very steep hill, “How could I when I am trying not to slip and die.” I follow up with my joking voice, “Well… look up.” She looks up to see the pictures and is very surprised and starts smiling. Did I give away the proposal?

We enjoyed the pictures and reminisced over our cherished memories. She thought it was a nice birthday gesture (phew, she didn’t know I was going to propose). We moved along and finally got to the clearing, a perfect small space, with no one else around. It was a space with just us (and James taking pictures in secret). The waterfall was right next to us, the water crashing into itself made a sound that was so beautiful. We looked at it for a while, admiring it. Oh my, what am I doing? Is this the right time? I love her, but will she say yes? Will there be a better opportunity to ask than the one I am in? I am getting nervous. Wait… I look at her and everything stops. I look at her and I feel peace crashing down on me like a waterfall. I look at her and I remember that she is my forever. This is what I have always wanted. I stealthily try positioning Hannah and I so that Jordan and James’s camera angle is at its best. I get down on one knee, gaze at her eyes, and say, “Hannah Marie Snyder, I have loved you for 6 years and you are my best friend. I want to live out the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” She starts to cry, nods, and jumps into my arms!

The day isn’t over… We start to make our way down the steep hill and back to our car. We drive to my house where I have gathered friends and family for a surprise BIRTHDAY party. Only a small few knew it was a double surprise… birthday-engagement party! We arrived at my house and she noticed a higher number of cars than what is normal parked just a little down the street. Dang! She noticed that, but not a flying picture almost hitting her in the face? She now knows something is up. When we got to the door, we were greeted with a roaring “SURPRISE!!”. Hannah is in tears again, the happy kind. We walk in more and she has her ring on one hand and Yoshi in the other. We get to where everyone is gathered. One of the people that actually knew it was a surprise engagement party told Hannah to, “Show it off!” Hannah, not knowing that the engagement was a secret, raised up her hand and says, “My Yoshi!” I came up behind her and told her, “The other hand.” And she raised her hand to show off her sparkly ring. Everyone began cheering once again.