On Monday, February 6, 2023, Carter woke up and immediately checked the weather for the week trying to plan for the best day to pop the question. It was supposed to rain Tuesday-Friday here in Dallas, leaving him with no other option than that very day! He got on the phone with friends and family to let them all know “Today is the day!”.

When he got home back from work, he decided the best way to handle this was to make it all seem like a coincidence. My mother texted me asking if we wanted to go to dinner at my favorite sushi restaurant (which of course I said yes to!) at 6 o’clock. Carter informed me that he hadn’t eaten all day and wanted to go for a sweet treat before dinner at our usual ice cream shop. So we left early to help beat traffic and have time for ice cream before dinner.

The second we got off the highway, Carter changed his mind and said it was going to rain all week so he wanted to enjoy the warm sunny day while he had the chance! He drove me to our favorite park in Dallas, which happens to be right next to the church we have been attending. I did think it was a bit random but honestly I was getting so hungry, I had no clue was going on.

We got to the park and started walking around a little. We walked over to the big pond area and watched the ducks play in the water. I then walked over the giant “LOVE” sign in the middle of the park to read the plaque right next to it. It said something about being dedicated to someone for their 25th wedding anniversary. Carter walked over to me, read the sign, and said “Ya, 25 years of marriage seems worthy of a good present like this.” I agreed and right as I was about to walk away he grabbed my hand and pulled me in front of the “LOVE” sign. He looked at me and said “All right, you ready to do this?” It still was not clicking in my brain what was happening and he could tell. So he got down on one knee and informed me that everything he had planned on saying had suddenly disappeared. He told me he loved me and said the words “Brooke Emily Owen will you marry me?”

Im pretty sure I didn't even say a word. I just started making noises and nodding uncontrollably. Everything after that was a blur! I looked up and our dear friend and mother of our ring bearer Christina was standing there! Next thing I know my parents are walking up to us and I was face timing just about anyone I could think of! It was the best Monday I have ever experienced…even rivals some Fridays;)