I had no idea it was coming. I mean yes, I knew Zachary and I were sweet soulmates but I had no idea he was going to propose on top of a mountain… with the ring of my dreams. If you know Z, or don’t know Z, you will quickly learn that this man is the romantic of romantics. Cooking is where he expresses his romanticism most, and it’s where I fell in love with him.
We planned to have a picnic on the Canyon Overlook Trail- I was so sore from our hike the day before so I was craving a scenic yet relaxing excursion in Zion. A good ole’ fashioned picnic is the key to my heart, which Zachary knows loud and clear. We snacked on salami, crackers, carrots, and lemon cookies… and we made besties with this sassy chipmunk. I noticed Zachary was extra quiet during our lunch but I just suspected he was soaking up the scenery because y’all… I have never seen a place so beautiful.
After lunch, we started exploring around the overlook and he took me to this spot close to the ledge, he was holding onto me tight and asked if it was out of my comfort zone, which I said yes. We took a step back (thank god) and he began telling me how he can’t wait to be adventure partners for life, on the inside my heart was bursting but I just thought it was his romantic side coming out and then all the sudden he got down on one knee…. and then he asked me to marry him, and then he whipped out a black and gold box, and then he opened it and the ring looked like he stole it from Princess Dianas grave, except it wasn’t sapphire… it was a ruby… and my heart still beats a million beats a second when I replay this scene in my head. I think I said “are you kidding me?” at least 20 times before I responded “Yes! a million times over!” I was honestly just so surprised and little did I know he had purchased the ring while we were in Charleston so he had been planning this thang all along.
There was no photographer hiding in the bushes, no family crouching behind the trees, no friends waiting down the mountain… it was just us, and that sassy chipmunk. I couldn’t have imagined it to be more perfect.
I’m sure if you’re reading this, you most likely know me personally and know that I am far from traditional. I prefer the road less traveled, which is the epitome of Zachary and I’s love. We come from two very different places, but share the same beliefs and morals. We fell in love while making a candy terrine (the most frightening thing of all time), pursued a career cooking next to each other on the line for over 2 years, we created a beautiful home together in Charleston, and we are currently starting our new journey in the Pacific Northwest. I get to fall in love with this man over and over again, for the rest of my life, and I’m so fucking excited.
ten thousand miles and counting 
Love, sweet love….
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