The weekend of December 7, 2018, Max had the idea of taking a spontaneous trip down to Florida. We packed a bag, hopped on a flight, and made our way down! When we got to Orlando airport, Max rented a car, but not just any car...my dream car, a Chevy Tahoe. But of course, me being me, I really didn't think twice of it. I only thought how awesome it was that we could test it out! Once we got the car, we headed to my grandma's house in The Villages.

Saturday morning, December 8, we woke up to a perfect day; partly cloudy, no humidity, and just under 80 degrees. As Max and I made our way into the kitchen, Gram decided we would go out for breakfast! Sounded like a great plan to us! After we ate, we headed back to Gram's house and hung out for a bit before Max and I decided to go to Lake Sumter Landing. It has been one of our favorite places to go ever since the first time we went there back in 2015.

Since it was just a few short weeks after my grandpa's passing, Max thought of the idea to throw a penny into the lake for him, as well as my other angels, Nanny and Poppy.

As we got to Sumter Landing, we parked, got out and I took some pictures of the town square because it was decorated so nicely for Christmas! Max enthusiastically said, "let's go down by the water and look for alligators and turtles!" We strolled down to the pier and looked over the side to see only a few turtles. Then Max suggested we go out to the gazebo - our favorite spot!

As we made our way to the gazebo, there was no one in sight. It was so peaceful and breathtaking. We both leaned on the railing, looking out across the lake, just taking in the picturesque scenery. Max took his phone out to take a “Time-lapse” video, which he pretended he didn't know how to do. After he took his video, he walked behind me to the bench and fiddled around.

As I'm standing there at the railing, with my back towards him, listening to what he was doing, I heard him place something down on the bench and then unzip his jacket pocket. I couldn't help but think if he was about to propose! Could it really be happening?! Is this really about to happen right now?! My stomach was in a knot, I was SO nervous I wanted to throw up! (In a good way, of course.)

When Max walked back to me, I turned around and looked at him and he said, “What?! Why are you looking at me like that?!” with the biggest smile on his face! I just said nothing and looked back out at the water. He started rubbing my back and asked for a kiss. Just seconds later, right then and there, Max turned towards me and said, “So I've been wanting to ask you this for a really long time.”

I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT WAS HAPPENING!! He got down on one knee, pulled the ring box out of his jacket pocket, opened it, and asked, “Will you marry me?” with the greatest, biggest, most incredible smile on his face. I was shocked! I couldn't control myself from giggling and asking if he was serious! But, OF COURSE I SAID YES! My hands were shaking! The level of happiness I was feeling was just unmeasurable! I was speechless! All I kept asking was, "Is this really happening?! Are you kidding?!"

I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect proposal. I could not stop smiling the whole rest of the day, let alone that weekend. I wasn't coming down from being on cloud nine any time soon! I would catch myself just staring off into space, thinking about the proposal and smiling from ear to ear. My cheeks were so sore by the end of the day!

The Gazebo at Lake Sumter Landing will forever have a special meaning to us.

12.08.2018