In July 2022, I decided to ask Gina to marry me and started working on the proposal plans. Her best friend Ashley was more than willing to help me with the preparations and keep it a secret from Gina. She helped by getting her ring size and eventually would help with the proposal.

After Gina and I had looked at engagement rings (she assumed it was just for fun), I found the perfect ring for her, ordered it, and had it shipped to my parent's house. It had arrived in September, two months before the proposal.

Originally, I wasn't sure when was going to be the best time to propose. Then Gina mentioned that we should go away with Ashley and her now-husband Austin to a log cabin up north in Kennerdell, PA the weekend before Thanksgiving. I did more research into the area and there was a beautiful waterfall nearby. A plan started forming in my head: we would visit the waterfall, I would bring my camera and we would take pictures, but I wouldn't propose then. Instead, I would have "Marry Me" lights and rose petals set up at the log cabin, and when she'd come in the room, I would have Taylor Swift playing in the background, and I would propose.

The proposal weekend finally came. When we got to the log cabin, it looked amazing. I had kept Ashley and Austin in the loop before meeting up that I was hoping to propose Friday, November 18th, two months exactly after our dating anniversary. The next day, it had snowed a dusting, perfect enough to make our trip feel magical as we went to see the waterfall.

Eventually, Gina and I went down to the bottom of the waterfall and I set my camera up and timed it to take pictures. I made it seem pretty obvious that I could pop the question right then and there... but I had not brought the ring with me! As great as the moment was between us (even Ashley and Austin felt that it was a perfect moment!), I was not going to risk the plan I had made.

As we made our way back to the cabin, Gina went for a hot shower and the rest of us took the time to discuss exactly what the plan would be: Since Ashley and Austin wanted to stay in for dinner, and Gina wanted to go out, I took the opportunity to have them set everything up while I took Gina to dinner. So Gina and I got ready to go into town for dinner.

While we were out, I felt a rush of emotions: nervousness and excitement, yet I had to stay calm. As we ate dinner, I received the picture above and made sure Gina didn't see my phone. I felt relieved and so happy that it was ready. We left the restaurant and headed back to the log cabin.

As we pulled into the parking space, I checked to make sure I had the ring. I pulled out my phone to connect to the Bluetooth speaker in the cabin to play Lover by Taylor Swift. As we headed closer to the door, Ashley and Austin had turned the lights out and Gina got confused, thinking they were just goofing off. Once Gina reached the door, my phone connected to the speaker inside and we heard the connection sound, making Gina even more confused. Finally, she opened the door and I hit play on my phone.

Queue the best surprise I had ever given her :)

After her initial shock, I took her over and told her how much I love her. And after asking her to marry me, she said yes!