The alarm went off at 4:30am on Sunday morning. Steve was home for the weekend from an extended business trip, so in an effort to make the most of their time, they had decided to take a spontaneous sunrise paddle. Unbeknown to Becca, their trip of the same nature a few weeks earlier was his "proposal practice run". As most of you know, Steve is NOT a morning person - but that day he was a flurry of excited activity; no time for the snooze button! By the time Becca made it downstairs the car was packed, coffee brewed, drybag filled with snacks (AND the ring). They were off like a shot to the local boat launch, where Steve frantically pumped the inflatable SUPs to make it on the water before sunrise. It was a quiet, warm, clear morning with the water still as glass. They paddled up-river to a bend where the rising sun would be most visible, and took pause. He planned to ask if she wanted some snack or refreshment, and hand her the ring box instead: Steve: "Do you want a granola bar?" he asked nervously Becca: "No thanks." Steve: "Are you sure?" he pressured Becca: "Eh I'm all set for now" Steve: "I have some waters in here too..." Becca: "I'm okay for now, thanks!" At this point his 'foolproof' plan is clearly falling apart... He pulls out the ring box and opens it, showing Becca the ring. Steve: "How about a wedding?" She pauses. Becca: "WHAT...wait are you serious!?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At this point in the story, both Becca and Steve more or less black out from joy. Words were exchanged - presumably only very eloquent and romantic ones. Somehow they managed not to drop her new ring into the mighty Merrimack River. Most importantly, SHE SAID YES. Happy cries were had, and not at all ugly ones. Becca and Steve returned home and celebrated with their pup Theo. They made a breakfast feast (w/ more coffee of course), waiting to share the good news with their still sleeping friends and family!