Her Perspective
After driving almost the entire length of the park, we were ready to get back out on a trail. Dennis had done some research and wanted to pick up a stretch of the Appalachian Trail just north of the Loft Mountain Wayside. We parked at mile 79.5 and walked a short distance to the fire road across from the Patterson Ridge Trail head. We weren’t sure where we were going, or if we were in the right spot, but up we went.
We were excited to join the famous Appalachian Trail, which runs all the way from Maine to Georgia. The path was a little overgrown with lots of spider webs, but Dennis, the consummate gentleman, went first so I wouldn’t run into any spiders. We hiked at a decent incline for about a mile, before reaching a small, secluded overlook, where we stopped for some water and nuts. After about 15 minutes we continued on for another half mile or so, to the other side of the mountain ridge. Dennis had read about an overlook with big rocks and an incredible view of the valley. When we found it, there was no doubt we had arrived.
The view was everything we could have hoped for, but the best part was that we were completely alone. It was a gorgeous, sunny day; about 75 degrees with crystal clear skies. It was a perfect end to a wonderful day, but it wasn’t over yet. We sat and enjoyed the view for a while, and snuggled on a rock, talking about our trip and random little things. At one point we saw some other hikers but oddly (and thankfully) they completely bypassed the amazing view and continued on their way.
At the summit, Emily looks over Shenandoah National Park.
At 6:30PM on the dot (I was later informed of the time) Dennis said, in an afterthought sort of way, “Oh, I brought you something. It’s in the backpack.” I was a little suspicious and could not suppress a smile as I searched through the pack. I had been wondering if we might become engaged during our vacation in Shenandoah Valley but I had been trying not to get my hopes up. I couldn’t find anything in the backpack and turned back to Dennis, confused. I will always remember the smile on his face as he held out the little ring I had seen in the flea market the day before and said, “Emily, will you marry me?”
I can’t help being a girl, despite how hard I try sometimes, and I got all teary-eyed. I smiled ridiculously wide, slid the ring on my finger and, apparently, completely failed to say yes. While I was hugging and kissing him, Dennis pulled away and said, “You haven’t answered me.” I have never believed moments like that when I’ve seen them in movies. How could the girl in the movie forget to answer? Turns out, it happens. I laughed, and said, “Yes. Yes, I will marry you!”
The place-holder until my custom ring arrives.
I had never told Dennis, or anyone, as far as I can recall, that I had always imagined my proposal to be at the end of a hike with an amazing view. I’m not sure how he knew, but it could not have been more perfect. It was even better than I had imagined and I feel incredibly lucky and spoiled.
–Emily
His Perspective
I am now engaged. That feels so…grown up. I find it hard enough to believe that someone trusts me with credit, so this was a leap for me. That’s not to say that I was hesitant or unprepared.
As early as April, I knew I wanted to propose on the banks of Lake Ontario. We had been planning a two-week trip to Canada for over a year, but we decided to cancel it after reviewing our finances. We could have afforded the trip, but it would have wiped out a chunk of our savings.
Thankfully, I don’t plan thoroughly so switching to the Shenandoah Valley was painless. I found us a place to stay that worked perfectly. I made a list of attractions in the area, including the Luray Caverns and several hikes in Shenandoah National Park. My plan was to find a pretty view on a secluded hike, and hopefully see some black bears.
We drove all of Skyline Drive, looking for wildlife. I prayed we would see a cub. I spotted a black butt behind some rocks and thought it was a deer, so I let Emily out the car while I parked. When I found her again, she was so shocked and giddy: “It was a baby bear! He was so cute!” Sadly, she scared the cub away–probably rushing for a hug–before I could get a look.
Dennis walks ahead on the fire road.
The weather on Thursday was perfect: it was go time. I planned two hikes and got the rings in my backpack. One ring, the one pictured in this post, I bought the week before our trip at a party store. It didn’t even fit my pinky, so I bought a second ring at a flea market that Emily hinted quite clearly she liked. The first ring was unwieldy, so I hid it in the car and took the second ring with me on our Loft Mountain hike.
Once at the summit, we laid down on the rocks, looked out onto the rolling hills of the park, and talked. I wasn’t nervous, but I wanted to avoid clichés (no jumbotrons). At exactly 6:30 pm, I tried to steer the conversation, but she talked in non sequiturs. We both knew why we were there, but she played it coy. I know you want to know what I said, but what was said was for Emily and me alone. I gave her the second ring I bought, she said yes, and we basked in the moment.
When we got back to the car, I gave her the original ring, which she clipped over the one she already had. Then the photos, texts, and phone calls started–and it was a blur. But it all went according to plan. We’re happy.
–Dennis
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