Our Engagement Story
8. 29. 20
The day that Ryan asked me to marry him. I’ve been thinking about this amazing day for the past two weeks, trying to find the words to explain what it means to me. It was the happiest day of my life so far, the very best day. I think the smile plastered to my face all afternoon and night confirms that!
But since this was also a surprise for me, I couldn’t write about our engagement until I learned and pieced together all the stories from family and friends on how it came together. Though I had a feeling - like some girls do - it was pretty incredible to hear how many people that I talk to daily, or have seen in person, had kept this secret from me for weeks! Most profoundly, it made it clear that Ryan spent a long time planning this engagement. I’m in awe of the love and effort he put into creating this perfect moment for me. I don’t think I will ever forget the pride and gratefulness I’ve felt during this time, and it has made me fall in love him even more.
The Beginning
I don’t know if other people imagine an engagement like I have (I hope they do so I don’t feel crazy!) but as a sentimental romantic, I’ve thought about it since I was a little girl. What would it be like and who would be the guy down on one knee, asking me to marry him.
Well it’s no surprise that since early on in our relationship, I started to picture that person was Ryan. When I met him over eight years ago now, it was the end of our junior year in college just before summer break. I won’t detail the entire journey, it is a longgggg story. But when we got back to school we started noticing each other more. It started as being friendly, then to having a crush on each other, to then navigating the awkward “we like each other but are scared to do anything about it” stage. We finally got to the dating phase, and then Ryan officially asked me to be his girlfriend a few months later. We fell in love, each of us in serious committed relationships for the first time.
We spent the next several years together navigating one transition after the next, after the next - from graduating college and moving home, to getting jobs in NYC at the same time, to managing a long distance relationship for 2 years, to moving to New York City with our friends, and then moving in together. We’ve had our ups and downs, our arguments or frustrations. But we never took a a break, not even for a day, or an hour. We grew up together, we changed, we individually went through some of the hardest times of our lives and were there for each other. We got closer as we got older. We learned to be independent but also prioritize each other, we learned to understand each others differences and respect them, to appreciate them. We made a home and a life together.
A billion years ago!
An Inkling
I’ll call it that, but yeah I had a feeling something was up. I blame it on spending months straight together in quarantine every day, and pretty much knowing each others routines down pat.
So when Ryan had an early morning dentist appointment in New Jersey I got a little suspicious. After rudely questioning his judgement for booking this appointment at a new provider outside the city, some light bulb went off in my head like THIS IS FISHY. Made a mental note of it, moved on.
A few things like that happened the week before the engagement - nothing confirming, and I was too distracted with work and school to dissect all the confusion I had and really start to get myself excited about it. We were going to go to Ryan’s family’s house for the weekend because we made plans to go to my parents the following weekend for Labor Day. Ryan said him and his best friend Greg thought it would be fun to go to a vineyard - I smiled to myself thinking hmmmm he’s never planned something like this before, what’s going on? It was a place we haven’t been to. But as the date approached there was WAY too much happening for me to over analyze and more so, I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
I’ve been ready for a while now, and we had talked about it. I hoped it would happen this year, this summer maybe, but then there was a global pandemic! At first I came to terms with the fact it might not be the best time. But after seeing so many couples my age get engaged the past few months I realized there is something in the water and Covid isn’t stopping anyone from making their love official.
So the day before the engagement we chatted a bit more about the weekend plans. In an effort to get me to dress up he showed me the new shirt he was wearing to the vineyard, and said it “would be a good activity for blog post pics, duh” (lol) So I picked out the one dress I had with tags on and he said it looked good. When having lunch I reminded him I was visiting my friend Jenna in Brooklyn later that day and he reminded me we would be going to the vineyard the next day so “don’t stay out late” which is not something he normally would care about. I could not stop myself from smiling - and he totally caught it.
Despite my inkling, I convinced myself it was not going to happen. First, I mentioned this feeling to my best friends, and they reassured me - I mean they didn’t know about it, and I felt pretty sure Ryan would never propose without telling them! We were just going to the vineyard with his brothers and friends. My family and friends were all busy or unaware, which made me feel pretty sure that I worked myself into excitement for nothing. Plus, there was still the biggest question mark - we had never even looked at rings!
I went off to Brooklyn and had a great day, assuming it was the start of any other weekend.
The Big Day
Pretty funny - but as I often do on weekends, there was grad school work to be done. Because it’s VERY important to Ryan to be on time for trains, and we had a train time set, I woke up early to shower and get ready before my group meeting call. We had a kick off project meeting with new group members that was meant to last an hour, but I ended up being on the call for 2. Ryan was, needless to say, freaking out internally while trying to keep his cool! He express his normal amount of urgency to get us to Penn Station. Thank goodness before we left I decided to curl my hair (for the 2nd time in 7 months) for the sake of getting some nice pictures, albeit very rushed, and with video off on Zoom :) We met up with his brother Shane and girlfriend Taylor, navigated thru the hell hole that is Penn Station, and boarded the train.
His younger brother Devin picked us up from the train station as it was starting to rain. When we got to the vineyard, called the Working Dog Winery, I really hoped the weather would get better. I thought that it didn’t, maybe we would just change our plans and go to Devin’s house. Figured we could enjoy some wine first and then head out.
When we got there, Greg and his girlfriend Ashley had thankfully already set up a perfectly sized tent, so we ran ahead to get under cover! We grabbed some wine inside, and spent what felt like an hour or so drinking rosé and chatting about random and regular things. We told them about my love for vineyards plans to go to Napa valley next year. There was a Dave Matthews Band cover artist playing acoustic on the patio.
There were a few chairs so the girls and I sat and the boys stood for a while. The rain started to slow down and I asked about the food trucks and if we planned to eat lunch there (lol). When the drizzling stopped, and sky lightened, Ryan said we could actually walk around the vineyards if we wanted to.
He asked if I wanted to take a walk.
I thought it was sweet that he probably knew I would want to take pictures, and he offered so I awkwardly posed against some of the vines.
Then I suggested we take a selfie, and for the first time ever Ry didn’t even object!
I stopped and realized we were still alone, and I told him he was being so romantic. I kissed him, and said I loved him. It was that then he said “I’ve got one better for you” and got down on one knee.
We were there together just us when he asked me to marry him. I was so overwhelmed, I think I blacked out a little, and my knees got, weak and shaky! But despite his words I blurted out “oh my god is this for real?!”
He had to ask me a second time “Is that a yes?” before I said YES! He put the ring on my finger and I was so surprised it fit! But shortly after he noticed I hadn’t actually yet looked at the ring…. when I truly noticed it for the first time, I exploded all over again with excitement.
Finally I heard our friends cheering, and more people beyond the vines. I looked up to see them, and noticed one of my best friend Veronica standing there, with a camera. I hugged Ryan for making this moment, and then ran towards them.
You can see the whole moment, in this little photo journey :)
I am SO surprised that we have photos of the moment, to have these memories forever.
The Ring: Ryan consulted his Mom when he decided to propose and made plans to see some rings with her jeweler. Cue the dentist appointment in Jersey (I am Sherlock Holmes). He knew what I would like, as did his Mom, but he also talked to my sister and bestie Hannah to make sure that he was on the right track, and ensure I’d love it!
I stored a picture of a “dream ring” and showed them that earlier this summer so they were the perfect people to talk to and I love that they were involved in the process.
This is my dream ring, and I couldn’t be happier to wear this special piece that signifies his love. He hit the ball out of the park!
The Party!
The fun continued on to what I thought was small gathering with our families. I asked excitedly “and my friends?!” and Ryan said ‘it’s your parents because of Covid’. I was hoping a few more would actually be there, but I was not prepared for what I saw when I walked into the McKenna’s house.
We entered and I saw my mom there arms outstretched to hug me, tears welling up in her eyes, and as I embraced her I heard the cheering noise of what was much more than just our families. After a few initial hugs, my sister and Ryan’s Mom, I finally turned to see who was there to surprise us. I will never, ever, forget that moment taking in the room and seeing almost every one of my closest friends. I had never felt more emotional, excited, and loved. I had never been so surprised before.
The plan was to spend the afternoon in the backyard, but the rain brought the gathering inside. The room was covered in rose gold balloons and decorations, champagne was set up on the counter, the table was filled with beautiful gifts and cards. I tried to notice and to appreciate every thoughtful detail. Our moms said a toast! Mine specifically made me giggle by mentioning how I’ve been a sunshine in her life - that’s why this is “ the perfect name for her blog” hahaha I CAN’T.
I hugged friends - I missed hugs!!
The party went on throughout the afternoon into the night. Ryan filled me in on some of the behind the scenes details to the entire engagement, but I also got to learn all about the steps he took to put this day together for me.
He had been so thoughtful in his planning to make this day perfect for me. He picked my favorite place, my favorite people to celebrate with. It was what he thought I wanted, but it was really so much more.
Though I haven’t shared too much here about my relationship, it’s a big part of my life, and I plan to more in the future. Our engagement was definitely the best day of my life, and I want to always remember this amazing day as clearly as I do now.
It’s hard to convey how wonderful my friends and family have made us feel these past two weeks. I’m so thankful for all the love we received, the congratulations people shared with us, and the well wishes. We’ve read every message and card, it means more than we can put into words.
I don’t feel like a ‘bride’ but rather just a very happy gal. I’m excited for what’s to come next as we plan our wedding, and look forward to sharing some of that here!
Xx
Gab