⸻ Mandie’s View On November 11, 2023, at Usal Beach, our favorite coastal camping spot, I had absolutely no idea what was coming. A friend suggested we film a fun drone video of couples walking along the beach. The only problem? Our son was asleep in the rooftop tent, and I didn’t want to leave him. I almost refused to go, no makeup…not feeling ready, just wanting to stay close by. After a little convincing, I agreed, and off we went. As we walked along the shoreline, with the ocean crashing beside us, David paused, looked around, and said, “This is the perfect spot.” I turned toward him, and there he was, taking a knee and pulling a ring box from his jacket pocket. I was completely stunned. Through the shock, I said yes, and the rest of the evening became a celebration of love by the ocean, under the stars, surrounded by the people who mean so much to us. ⸻ David’s View The first step was getting the ring. The second step was even more important. Mandie had always told me that if I ever proposed, asking for her family’s blessing would mean everything to her. So I found the right moments, quietly met with her parents, and asked for their blessing. With their support, I knew it was time to plan the perfect proposal. For months, I worked with a few close friends from our camping group to coordinate it all. Usal Beach was our favorite place to camp, so I knew that was where I wanted to do it. I watched the weather at Usal like a hawk, hoping for the right window along the coast. When the weekend finally came and the skies cleared, we set the plan in motion. The drone was ready, and I told Mandie it was just a walk along the beach. When we reached the right place, I said, “This is the perfect spot,” and dropped to one knee. She was completely stunned, and when she said yes, it was everything I had hoped for and more. Our amazing friends were waiting nearby and helped us celebrate with champagne, music, and a night we’ll never forget.