Wes and I had been busy the past few weekends with young life responsibilities so earlier in the week he suggested we go exploring this weekend, like we often do, since it’s the first opportunity we’ve had in a while to do something fun on our own. He planned to pick me up at 8 on Saturday morning, which I thought was early but still not out of the ordinary. I suggested 8:30 so I could “get 8 hours of sleep” but he sneakily evaded my question and our time of departure stayed at 8. Early in January while I was visiting Britt and Amelia in Arlington, Wes explored the Southern NC mountains and told me how beautiful it was to see the mountain lakes and waterfalls, so I knew our destination was Highlands, NC; sometimes Wes will withhold our destination from me but this time the place itself was the secret since I had never been. The question of when he would propose has been in the back of my mind, knowing it would be within the somewhat near future, but I didn’t guess at all that Saturday would be the day – he didn’t seem nervous in the slightest on our way up. After a couple hours, we bypass downtown Highlands, a stop that I knew was on our itinerary, and went straight for some waterfalls. I had asked Wes what I needed to wear since I wasn’t sure how our schedule would look. He suggested I wear whatever I would wear if we were in and out of shops and not really doing much hiking. Now I know he said this because he’d gotten one of his friends, who is actually a great photographer, to hide out and photograph the proposal. We pull over to look at the first waterfall, ironically named Bridal Veil Falls, and quickly continue on to what I now know was the real destination. We pull into a designated parking lot along with a few cars already parked. Though subconsciously I recognized one of the stickers on photographer Josh’s jeep, I didn’t connect the dots. We make our way down the icy steps to the path that runs parallel to the river, and snakes alongside and underneath this beautiful free falling waterfall. Wes mentions several times how powerful the flowing water is. I now know that he nervous and was stalling long enough for another couple to make their way away from his designated proposal spot beside the waterfall. As we walk down beside the waterfall, I am startled by a man inside a small cavern off to the side hunched over with his back to us taking nature pictures. Wes has to quickly propose at this time before I recognize this person who he has brought here to take our pictures. He tells me that I am his best friend in the whole world and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, and he gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. Josh is taking pictures, I’m half crying half hysterically giggling and amazed at how absolutely beautiful my ring is. Josh takes more pictures, Wes is so happy, and I am absolutely in awe at how wonderful the moment is – it all becomes a really beautiful blur. Later, I find out that his parents, my mom, several friends of his, and several friends of mine all knew this was happening. He asked for prayers and support from so many of the important people in our lives. Not only that, but he consulted my roommate/best friend beginning in DECEMEBER about his ring selections. The rest of my roommates found out the weekend before (except Olivia who can’t keep a secret, so found out the night before.) I am so amazed that nobody gave me any indication whatsoever! I feared that when the day came I wouldn’t be a surprised but I was, and it was perfect. I am so blessed to have such an amazing man to share this incredible journey with!