You guys... December 21, 2012 was the most incredible day. I started my day thinking I was driving up to Beaver Creek for a photo shoot, but what I discovered was the most thought-out surprise proposal I could have imagined. It was my own proposal! I can't begin to bring words to how special, loved and incredibly blessed I have felt the past few days from all the support and excitement from our closest friends and family. The ones who know us the most. God is so good and merciful! So if you're interested, here's the story from beginning to end of the most incredible day...
It was a beautifully crisp, sunny morning in Colorado and I was preparing for what I thought was an engagement photo shoot for two of my friends who had recently got engaged. In the meantime, Kevin and his brother and sister-in-law were preparing for the proposal and driving up to Beaver Creek. You must know that when I have a photo shoot that's all I can think about. I have total tunnel vision. Seriously. So as I drove to Beaver Creek I kept thinking how amazing the photos were going to be since there was fresh snow and it was a crystal clear day. I was inspired, my heart was soft and my senses were opened... I believe God was preparing my heart for exactly what I didn't know was going to happen.
I arrived at the Beaver Creek Chapel, which is where I was suppose to meet my friends for the photo shoot. As I got out of the car, loaded my film and tested the light I saw a guy walking toward me dressed in the brightest snowboarding gear I've seen. He said, "Are you Kelli?" and my confused response was, "uh, yes". Then he said, "I'm sorry but Dave and Coco couldn't make it, but here are these cards." And then he walked away. The first card said something like "So sorry Dave and Coco couldn't make it, but there's good news... read the next card". I read the next card that told me to "Take a hike right around the corner!" I was completely confused and honestly thought my friends (Dave and Coco) were playing a trick on me. I took the wrong path at first, but eventually I was pointed in the right direction. I saw a path in the snow lined with candles and flowers and sweet little note cards, and I figured out what was happening. Then I cried. Each note card placed along the path said small memories or thoughts that meant so much to me and our relationship that with every card I read, I cried more. I finally made my way through the path, and looked up to see Kevin beaming from ear to ear and tears falling down his face. We both cried a little bit, then I found myself asking, "where is Dave and Coco!?" Kevin laughed, told me they were not coming, and eventually we stopped crying enough for him to tell me some of the most amazing words I've heard and felt. He got to one knee and asked me to be his wife forever, and placed the ring that he specifically designed for me on my finger. He read from a journal he had written in six years ago about the future wife he was waiting for (which ironically six years ago we were next door neighbors). We took communion, laughed, cried and shouted a little more.
But there's more... and one of the best parts. A month ago, Kevin drove all the way to South Dakota, had lunch with my parents and called my sister to ask for their blessing. He then drove six hours back to Colorado without me having a clue what he had done that day. This man knows my heart deeper than anything.
We spent the entire day in Beaver Creek with his brother and sister-in-law, drinking endless amounts of champagne, laughing, sharing our story, and sitting around the fire outside the resort. And there is more! Crazy, I know! We drove to Idaho Springs to eat at Beau Jo's and were surprised by all of our closest friends that Kevin had arranged for us to celebrate with! Seriously, I am so lucky. I have a man that knows me and knows me well. You also should know that Kevin is not a planner. He's a moment-to-moment, spontaneous soul that loves last minute adventure so to find out he had been planning every single detail for a couple months is even more special and speaks to my heart like nothing else.
I created a little storyboard of the entire day. On a side note, I'm so thankful that my future sister-in-law (Whitney) captured all of this on camera. I'm beyond grateful, humbled and absolutely blessed to have had such an amazing day with the people that love us and know us the best.
Thanks friends, for reading this story that means so much to us. I hope you enjoy the photos.
