The Proposal
We are so over-the-moon excited to share our proposal story! Shelby (and some seriously awesome friends) planned the most perfect surprise proposal and I was blown away by the attention to detail and love that was poured into this special day.
I must admit I had a feeling a proposal was on the horizon. Shelby is many things but subtle is not one of them. The girl wears her heart on her sleeve which is a trait I seriously admire.
Sometime during late Spring Shelby alluded to the fact that she was planning something related to my 30th birthday. Looking back this was definitely her coverup for a lot of phone calls I couldn’t be around for or random errands she had to run alone. Let’s remember we’re in the time COVID where it’s difficult to be sneaky so the birthday excuse was a good one!
Fast forward a few weeks and I learned some friends are coming in town in late June and figured that’s when Shelby was throwing some sort of socially distanced birthday gathering. Turns out there was a party but for a totally different reason!
So June 27th rolls around and it’s clear something’s up… My friends were acting suspicious and I started digging but they did not crack! All I knew was that I needed to be dressed and ready to leave our apartment by 7:20pm and I had a feeling I knew where we were headed.
For the last few years I’ve had a favorite bench at a park close to where we live. When we got close to the park I was told to close my eyes and walk (pretty dang far) with Shelby until she said I could open them. Once we got to the spot I opened my eyes to this! Usually there is a bench in this location but they have been temporarily removed due to COVID. In its place were peonies, candles, champagne and photos of Shelby and I. Soon I noticed our friend Rachel hiding behind a tree with a camera and immediately knew what was going on. (All of these proposal pictures were taken by her and she is so so talented and I will cherish them forever!)
Caitlin, Lindsey, Adam, Brynne and Rachel put together the most beautiful setup!
Once we sat down I remember Shelby saying “So I’m sure you know why we’re here” and then I kind of blacked out. Later on that evening (before I saw any photos) I asked her to confirm that she did in fact get on one knee and put the ring on my finger. To this day I remember what she said but no visual memory so these photos helped clear a few things up!
Hint: I SAID YES!!
Behind the scenes our friend Caitlin was on FaceTime with my parents so they could see the whole thing go down from the West Coast! After Shelby proposed I got on the phone to see their smiles and hear their stories of keeping everything a secret while Shelby popped the champagne!
I’m not sure if I was overwhelmed by seeing PEOPLE or by the RING or my FUTURE WIFE but I was so incredibly shocked. We snapped a few photos and I was then told there was another surprise.
Our friend Rachel made us this sign!
A close up of the sign with a ring shot!
We got in the car and headed to location #2! Another walk with my eyes shut and BAM I was in my friend’s backyard with a bunch of masked/socially distanced friends of ours. I was so happy to see everyone!
There were photo backdrops, pictures of Shelby and I, a station for hand sanitizer, bug spray and masks (all put together by Lauren and Sara you guys are amazing!) You know, 2020 things.
Lauren made this by hand like WHAT?!
We got a few snaps of some friends (really wish I had thought to get photos of everyone) in front of the photo backdrop but no group photos or anything. It was so hard not to squeeze every person there but everyone did such a good job distancing and wearing their masks while still being social and lively. It seriously meant the world to me!
Last but certainly not least there was cake and a little early birthday celebration. Lemon cake with strawberry icing was so so good! Our friend Anna is a cake decorator and even included a little edible glitter in the icing… the most Zan cake ever!
I am STILL absorbing this special day and learning how to celebrate with friends and family - mostly virtually. Life’s milestones are kind of funny right now but we’re doing our best. Sharing this already feels like such a mood boost for me!
It’s only been two weeks but I can see how there is so much to share when it comes to engagements, weddings, etc. I will probably post a bit here and there looped into the usual ZF content because I’ve been holding back until I got this up!
Thank you all for celebrating such a special occasion with us. I am beyond excited to spend forever with the best person I know!
