In so many ways I cannot believe I’m actually writing this post! Last Thursday, July 23, Ryan proposed and I’ve been on Cloud 9 ever since!
A short backstory: Ryan and I have known each other since the first day of freshman year at Luther College. We were in the same Paideia class (freshman English Class in a liberal arts setting), and quickly became friends. Through those years, Ryan was always my person I’d go talk to about life. There was something that just drew me to him and I felt like I could talk to him about anything.
Over the years we were not dating, Ryan and I would exchange letters during the summers we both worked at camp, and Junior year we were both on the RA staff for a freshman dorm. We started dating at the end of that year before being long distance for almost a year while I was student teaching out in Denver and Ryan was at Luther. After college, Ryan worked for the State of Iowa before moving out to Denver in 2017! Long story short, Colorado has felt more like home since he has been here. 🙂
On Thursday of last week, Ryan asked me if I wanted to take a walk for my birthday in the afternoon to celebrate! Truthfully, I wasn’t super excited to walk as it was 90 degrees with no breeze, and he had wanted to take our “walk” or the walk we would head on every weekend this Spring when COVID first hit. He had dubbed our walk the “gift walk” and he told me he would give me a few birthday gifts along the way.
The first few gifts were sentimental and sweet and for each one he asked me to turn around and close my eyes before giving me the gift. Our end goal was to walk to the park we had always loved going to and has a gorgeous view of both the mountains and the city. When we made it to the park, he first had me open a framed quote from Jim Halpert (from The Office) about Love to which I teared up over. It truly meant the world to have it as it was sentimental of both of our love of The Office during Quarantine and the sweet romance between Pam and Jim that we both loved following along with. When he asked me to turn around for the final gift, he held out the ring box and got down on one knee. I was in shock but beyond ecstatic.
Being able to tell our friends and family that evening and seeing their reactions was beyond special. It has been quite humbling to go through this season and see the many people who have shared in our joy. I think that’s one of the best parts of being engaged-being able to celebrate with the most amazing crew. I’m excited to start planning the wedding as well as relish in this sweet season of life!
Kristen Woolsey says
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So exciting and romantic. Gorgeous ring too!
CaitlinLemonadePress says
Thank you so much, Kristen! I appreciate it. We’re on cloud nine!
Maja says
This was so cute to read about!!! Congrats Caitlin, so happy for you!! <3
CaitlinLemonadePress says
Thank you so much, Maja! We are so thrilled!
Libby says
OMG how freaking perfect!!!! I am so happy for both of you!! Congrats again, friend 🙂
Libby
http://premedwearspearls.blogspot.com/
CaitlinLemonadePress says
Thank you so much, friend! We are thrilled!
Cierra says
Omg Caitlin!! I am in tears! Congrats again! I loved reading the proposal story <3
CaitlinLemonadePress says
Thank you so much, friend! That means a lot!