2018 was a whirlwind year for both of us. With Ashley’s fast approaching graduation from nursing school, we both decided that a little celebration was due in December. Before our wonderful Nana passed from her battle with cancer, Gary was able to include her in his plans for Ireland before she said her final goodbyes. The day we were packing for Ireland, we both dusted off our winter jackets that come out of hiding once per year for our annual trip to Connecticut. When Gary put his on, he found two cat toys in the pockets and we both had a giggle about random things we’ve found in our coat pockets over the years. Ireland was immediately a breath of fresh air and unlike anywhere we’d been before. Our first stop was in Enniscorthy at a restored castle-turned B&B. The Wilton Castle hosts were so gracious at giving us planning tips for day travels prior to arriving. We decided that the first day of Irish adventures should be north to Glendalough. This storybook town with an ancient monastery was the perfect introduction to Irish lifestyle and culture. Our morning hike started at the lower lake and continued to the upper lakes where Saint Kevin placed himself in solitude and built his own chapel. Standing on the shores of the upper lake we were surrounded with peace. No one else was around and we basked in the cold, grey stillness. As we stood there, Gary jokingly mentioned finding another thing in his pocket and needed help. I reached into his jacket pocket- seeing a box. At first I thought it was his cuff link box and was confused before quickly realizing what was happening. He told me to open the box and asked me to marry him— I quickly did but shut it immediately. I was so afraid of dropping the ring in the lake or something silly happening. We just stood there hugging and crying until he asked, “well is it a yes or a no?” With tears and snot the answer was of course yes! The ring eventually made it onto my hand and we basked in the moment.