After six years of dating and adventuring (not that Sarah was counting or anything…), Russell proposed—and Sarah said yes! They had been casually shopping for rings over the last few months. Sarah made it very clear she didn’t want a big diamond. She’s a simple gal with simple tastes. Her dream ring? A small gold band with a moss agate center stone and a few accent diamonds. Russell found the perfect one. The ring arrived during a weekend trip to Salt Lake City with Russell’s parents to catch a Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club double-header. Sarah had no idea, but Russell already knew it would only be a matter of time before everything changed. From the moment he got the ring, Russell started carrying it everywhere—he brought it to work, took it with him whenever he left the house, and even snuck glances when Sarah was in the other room. He had planned to wait until the end of February to propose, but the excitement got the best of him. After four days of carrying the ring, he couldn't take it anymore. He booked their favorite hotel room, pulled together a spontaneous plan, and texted Sarah’s mom: “I’m going to propose to Sarah tonight! I can’t wait any longer… this thing is burning a hole in my pocket!” Now, Sarah’s mom, Russell’s parents, and even the whole crew at the Osborn family Jaguar Shop were in on the secret. Everyone had seen the ring and was eagerly anticipating the big moment. That afternoon, February 7th, Russell put his spontaneous plan into motion. Knowing how much they both enjoyed watching hockey, especially with Salt Lake’s first NHL team launching that season, he used a game as the perfect excuse. Later that day, Sarah got a text: "Do you want to go to a Spud Kings game tonight in Idaho Falls?? 😊 Dave had tickets to go with his mom but they can’t make it, so he gave the tickets to me! They’re pretty good seats!" Of course, Sarah said yes. A spontaneous hockey game? Already a win. For some context: Sarah was battling a brutal tooth infection at the time (which later earned her a root canal) and had spent the afternoon icing her jaw and resting in hopes of making it through the game. While she rested, Russell secretly packed overnight bags (mostly just chucked a bunch of clothes and other essentials into his trunk) and finalized everything. Sarah assumed they’d watch the game and head home—nothing unusual. On the drive to Idaho Falls, Russell casually pointed out the Mountain America Center glowing off the interstate, keeping the hockey-game illusion alive. But instead of turning toward the arena, he pulled into one of their all-time favorite hotels: the Residence Inn by Marriott on the Snake River. (Room 502—a cozy one-bedroom suite with a fireplace—deemed "their room.") Weekend getaways are one of their favorite traditions: cozy hotels, good food, and sports games all wrapped into one fun weekend. Naturally, Sarah thought the surprise was a hockey game and a stay in their favorite room. She’d even spent the afternoon researching the teams’ stats and stadium snacks. But… they weren't going to the game. Shortly after they checked in, Russell asked Sarah to marry him. Cue the tears, the jumping, the dancing—and a very enthusiastic yes! While she was briefly bummed about missing the game (she had researched all day after all), the surprise was more than worth it. They spent the rest of the weekend doing all their favorite things: eating at their go-to Idaho Falls spots, ice skating, browsing the indoor farmers market, and indulging in all-you-can-eat sushi (Russell’s first time—Sarah, a seasoned pro). That night, they shared the news with close friends and family and chose to sit in the excitement together before announcing it publicly a month later. It was the perfect beginning to their next chapter: thoughtful, fun, full of love, and just the right amount of sneaky.