Our story is nothing crazy or out of the ordinary but it’s ours - and I love it! I first met Garrett at a bar in Colorado Springs. I was out one night with all my girls, and it wasn't long until we spotted this group of guys on the dance floor. They all seemed like they were having a great time but there was one in particular that really stood out to me. His name quickly became "blue shirt guy" to me and all of my friends. I was determined to meet him so my girlfriend and I slowly "danced" our way over to where they were. Unfortunately, I was intercepted by another guy in the group, so I never got to meet "blue shirt guy.” As we were leaving later that night, I noticed he was outside the bar hanging out...THIS WAS MY CHANCE! But did I gain the courage to say hi? NOPE. Well in true girl-code fashion, my friend yelled out to him, "SHE THINKS YOU'RE CUTE!" I felt like I was right back in middle school, except this time "blue shirt guy" turned right around to introduce himself to me. It was then that "blue shirt guy" became Garrett Franklin, and from that moment on we started our love story.

July 5th started out like any other day. I woke up, went to work, and the only other thing on my agenda was working out (so I was in shape for when Garrett got home from his 6 month deployment overseas). I had been counting down the days since he’d stepped out of the car at the airport. We’d had to learn how to grow our relationship closer while we were physically oceans away from each other. While it wasn’t easy, I knew that by the end of July Garrett would be coming home. So when my family planned to take sunset photos after work at Red Rock Canyon, I didn’t think anything of it. That was it, just a family night! Little did I know the uphill hike in heels with a thunderstorm brewing overhead would lead to Garrett Franklin waiting for me. I’d heard some music playing and initially thought that we had stumbled upon someone else’s private date! However, we kept walking and that’s when I noticed the candles lining the path along the bend of a grove of trees. Garrett was standing and smiling at the top of the hill overlooking the lake. Dressed in a crisp white collar shirt, back from deployment, and the first time I had seen him in 6 months: We were most definitely NOT taking family photos. I couldn’t believe he was there in person but I rushed to hug him. As silly as it sounds, I don’t remember much of what he said but I remember my heart felt like it would burst with happiness. Even though the broody clouds decided that moment to downpour, it was the most beautiful proposal. I was beyond speechless (but I did pull myself together long enough to say yes ;) ). It was the absolute greatest surprise of my life and after such a long wait, he was back for good. Now, I can’t stop smiling at the thought that we get to start our lives together!