Our Engagement Story

Brian and I traveled to Switzerland to visit my good friend Yetta and her boyfriend Patrick...and of course for the opportunity to gallivant around another country ;) Little did I know Brian had a big surprise in store for me that came in a small (and carefully hidden) package: a beautiful engagement ring!

We were staying in the small mountain village of Leukerbad, Switzerland...a town so surreal it felt like we were miniature people living in a holiday winter village display at the mall! Outside of the Ikea showroom we were sleeping in (thanks to Yetta!) was a bordering backdrop of rocky mountains and cottages piled high with thick layers of snow at least four feet deep. After our second full day of skiing and snowboarding, a relaxing evening spent soaking in the hot springs and a hearty Swiss dinner complete with healthy portions of cheese and wine...I found myself relaxing in my pajamas, hair still wet from my post spa shower and settling in writing my blog with a cup of steamy hot chocolate. It was then that Brian asked if I wanted to go for a walk...?? "Do I look like I want to go for a walk?!" was my quick witted response! He went on to say that he wanted to take some night time pictures...after all it was our last night here. I suggested he go by himself and to that he replied "It's ok, I guess there's really not that much to see here" and with that wandered back into the bedroom. I continued blogging for a few more minutes but the guilt set in like a brick. How could I let him miss out on our last opportunity at night time shots in this picturesque village that we had to take approximately 9 modes of transportation to reach?? I sighed, pulled my boots over my sweat pants, tucked my sopping wet hair into a hat and (with a deep sigh) proclaimed I was ready...

It was quite cold outside with a few snowflakes falling. The sky was clear and the stars bright. Brian led the way down a narrow moonlit path and wasn't even taking any pictures!!! I had to prompt him to take every single one...It was so cold I was starting to lose feeling in my fingers! We continued walking and my irritation was building...did he really drag me all the way out here on this frigid night and then have the nerve to not even be taking any pictures?!  We approached a stream and a small bridge and I suggested he take a picture there when instead he calmly stopped, turned, held my hands and told me that he didn't really bring me out here to take pictures...

He went on to say how much he loved me, cared about me, how he couldn't remember a time not knowing me, how he wants to spend the rest of his life with me...I felt the tears welling up (how could I have been so difficult tonight??!) as he went on and on and then reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful, sparkly ring...and then he then said the words..."Will you marry me?" and of course I said Yes! as he attempted to get the ring on my (freezing cold) finger...it would only go on half way when I insisted it would fit and pushed it on only to realize he wasn't down on one knee! (Good God how difficult could I be???) He then knelt down and asked me once again, and again I (of course) said Yes!

I couldn't believe that he still proceeded with his plan even though I was being so cranky! Now that is true love :) I also couldn't believe all the preparations that went into this that I hadn't noticed over the past few weeks! Brian went on to tell me that he'd spoken with HIS family and MY family (which brought on more tears) and then went on to explain all the tiny omitted details of his whereabouts over the past few weeks...instead of lunches with friends and getting his driver's license photo taken...he was really inspecting diamonds and custom designing an engagement ring (that didn't yet exist) and even stealing a ring from my apartment for sizing...to have all the stars line up and culminate on Leap Day when a FedEx package was delivered just in time for our trip!

We stood there on the bridge for a while just talking and hugging and me crying while a few people gave us strange looks as they walked by and as Brian snapped a few more shots of the location we will remember forever...

We couldn't wait to get back and share our news with Yetta and Patrick who had snuggled up on the couch to watch a scary movie just as we headed out...against my better judgement, Yetta insisted on taking this photo to document the momentous occasion:

We were fresh out of champagne but we made do with a round of shots of Patrick's infamous schnapps to celebrate! Patrick and Yetta couldn't believe Brian had kept this secret from them after 2 full days on the slopes! I also couldn't believe that Brian managed to keep the ring box hidden from me when we were even sharing luggage! It was cozily tucked away in a neoprene camera case...so sneaky! We made a few excited phone calls to family back home and both of us had a hard time falling asleep on all the excitement...I kept asking if this was real life or am I dreaming? Brian just kept pinching me as we talked about officially starting our life together :)