Keeping with our tradition of breaking traditions, Kayleigh always knew she wanted to be the one to propose to Matt. They'd talked and were going to wait until they'd lived together a while, because that's what you did. Right? Before the trip to Ireland, Kayleigh had planned a surprise falconry experience for Matt. When bugging him to guess what is was Matt's first guess was, "What, are you going to propose?"
Light Bulb!
And so, behind Matt's back, Kayleigh bought a second ring for him; in addition to the Claddagh they'd long agreed to buy each other anyway.
On their last full day in Ireland, between chasing rainbows and getting lost in the green, they happened across a field on a lake.... with dogs. Dogs were running around and playing, making it a mandatory stop to visit.
The dogs were Local to the village north west of Creggans, and always followed a local mother and daughter on their daily walk. after playing with the doggos for a while Kayleigh knew this was it.
She set up her phone on a rock and hit record. telling Matt she was taking a selfie. She then asked him to close his eyes and dropped to one knee. You can guess what his answer was. ❤
Just over a year into dating, Matt and I headed up to Maine with my folks to see my grandparents for the first time in nearly a decade. It was the first time I'd brought a significant other on a family vacation so it was both intimidating and exciting all in one. It was a 4 day whirlwind of a trip that was not nearly long enough. I got to show Matt my favorite rock spots from high school. Showed him where me and Emma (our officiant) used to disappear to and scare the crap out of my grandparents. All of my favorite spots felt like new since I was sharing them for what felt like the first time. Near the end of the trip all 6 of us went for a walk on a beach, looking out over the forested islands. As we walked we crossed paths with friends of my grandparents. Never one to miss a photo opportunity, I asked the passersby if they minded taking a photo of all of us. This is what became one of my favorite memories. Little did I know then it was the first family photo with my future husband. Can't get much more special than that.