The first time we met was at a bar called Goldspike in Downtown Las Vegas. Stephen hustled me in a game of corn hole and I liked his fancy socks so we kept talking. We lost track of time while we sat there laughing, drinking cocktails, and discussing Animal Planet (seriously). Eventually, we realized it was late and I demanded that he either take me to eat something or let me go home so that I could feed myself (what a joke since we all know I'll starve to death if someone doesn't feed me).
Fortunately, at that point, he didn't know to call my bluff so we left to grab some late-night, cheese covered tater tots at Park on Fremont (pictured). We sat there talking until 2am, eventually deciding that the night needed to come to an end. As he walked me to my car, he asked if I had ziplined over downtown. When I said I hadn't, he grabbed me by the hand and we flew over the crowded street. It was (disgustingly) adorable and the most incredible impromptu date.
The next day he caught me off guard when he called to ask if I would go grab drinks on the strip with him and his college friends that were in town visiting (Hi Vanessa!). We spent the day on The Strip people watching, and having a good time.
Since then we've been inseparable.
Stephen spent months planning an elaborate surprise getaway for my birthday/Thanksgiving. He mapped an incredible trip from San Francisco, to Sequoia National Park (where he was going to pop the question), and ending in Napa, to spend the weekend relaxing and wine tasting while we celebrated. Unfortunately, California did what California does and went up in flames literally days before our planned trip, so Stephen had to adjust plans last minute. We were at a family event out of town when this all happened, and he was so nervous trying to re-book everything in secret.
The trip he re-booked last minute was a visit to Sedona, AZ. He was a nervous wreck the entire drive and would barely speak to me! When we arrived at the hotel in Sedona we spent a good chunk of time booking excursions, spa visits, and adventures around town, then got ready for our dinner reservation.
We got to dinner and ordered wine and an appetizer. I refused to stop eating long enough to have a conversation, so mid-bite, he said that I had just one last decision to make to finalize my birthday weekend plans. He got down on his knee and asked me if I would spend my life with him. Unfortunately, I'm a big idiot and yelled "OMG WAIT ARE YOU SURE?" (I know, kill me) Poor Stephen obviously has the patience of a saint because he replied "yes, I'm sure!" I started crying and got so excited that I forgot to take the ring and he had to shove it at me again. It was intimate, romantic, and the most "us" moment.
We spent the rest of the weekend enjoying everything Sedona has to offer. It was so perfect in every way.