August 14, 2022

At this time, the Drew family had been traveling to northwest Wyoming for over 30 years. Fly fishing, hiking, ATV'ing, and having a cold beer (or a few) was their preferred way to disconnect from reality. Senior year of high school was the last time I had been able to join in on the trip out West, until August of 2022. I did have my suspicions (most definitely got my nails done prior), but truly did not know what was in store. Shea had always told me he wanted his proposal to be private, separate from family, and 'nothing special'. The day we arrived in Wyoming, everyone appeared to be tiptoeing around something happening on Monday. With my suspicions, I would prepare for it!

While I was hyper focused on the idea of Monday, little did I know Shea and his brothers were changing the plan to Sunday. While discussing a plan and gaining confidence with each sip of Busch Lite, Shea decided his anxiety could not wait another day.

Sunday's plans consisted of a kid-friendly hike to 'Bridal Falls' in Cooke City, Montana. Looking back, of course that seems obvious! But no, I still had no clue - Shea, on the other hand, was having 'a few' Busch-lattes to stop his Garmin watch from thinking he was having a heart attack. Plus, didn't Shea always say his proposal would be private - just the two of us? Nahhhhh, it's not happening today!

Bridal falls is truly beautiful - and most definitely a photo op! Still oblivious, I was busy taking photos while, unbeknownst to me, Shea is slyly coaxing me to 'hurry up' and climb to the top. Slowly but surely, I joined Shea at the top, right underneath the waterfall. When I finally put down my camera and looked over to Shea, he instantly got down on one knee.

Important to note that over the past year or so, Shea would 'fake' getting down on one knee to tease the subject. So, in this moment, I said: "This isn't happening", in which he quickly responded:

"It's happening".

This moment was a long time coming. From Bethel Preschool - to 8th grade homeroom - to watching each other in high school sports - to visiting each other at college - at this point, Shea and Lindsay had been dating for nearly nine years. To say the least, this moment was . . .

surreal.