Well, dearest blog readers, I have some news. I know it’s been over a month since my last post, but things have been crazy over here, y’all!
So, let me tell you a story. Adam and I took a weekend trip to Squamish, BC, aka our favorite place on Earth at the end of September for a late anniversary trip. Adam secretly booked a place and wouldn’t tell me anything about the location. We ended up staying in a dreamy Airbnb cabin/tiny home on a farm in the mountains. Adam knows I’m just a tad obsessed with misty mountain views, and this place was perfect. Since the trip was supposed to be for our anniversary, Adam didn’t bring his windsurf gear. (Usually, when we go to Squamish, Adam spends hours windsurfing while I hang out in the sun and read. Win-win!) Instead, this time we relaxed, watched movies, visited thrift shops, spent time at the farmer’s market, and cozied up in a coffee shop. It was a peaceful weekend enjoying each other’s company.
The only thing Adam said he really had planned for us was a fancy-ish dinner on Saturday night. He told me our reservations were at 6pm. He tried to keep the location a secret from me, but I figured it out because he sort of hinted that we had to leave a bit early to get there in time because it takes a while to reach the restaurant… So I thought, hmmm, where could we be going in Squamish where it might take a while to reach a restaurant? I asked, “Is a gondola involved?” 🙂 That’s when he told me we would indeed be taking the Sea to Sky Gondola in order to reach the restaurant up top. I was so excited! We were getting a bit antsy at the coffee shop, so we headed over to the gondola early. We got there around 4:15 for our 6pm reservations. (So early, haha.) It was beautiful up there, so we just decided to walk around, enjoy the views, and wait it out.
There are little trails you can take up there that bring you back into the woods, so we took one. We walked slowly, chatting about things I don’t even remember now, and came upon some quails which I took about a million photos of because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a quail in real life. They’ll always remind me of Wedding Crashers. Anyway, as you reach the end of the trail we were on, there is a beautiful overlook you can walk out on to get a better view. There was a woman out there with her fancy camera taking photos and I remember thinking, “Man, I’m so jealous! The light is sooo good right now…” (Because I had forgotten my camera back at our Airbnb.) Adam and I walked out on the overlook, and as we passed her, he asked if she would take our photo with his phone. She smiled and said, “Sure!” and took his phone and slowly backed up to make sure she got the scenery behind us. Just as we were getting together to pose, that’s when Adam bent down and proposed!!
As soon as I realized what was happening, I instantly started crying and for whatever reason said, “NOOO!” because my first thought was, “Oh my gosh this is so awkward for this stranger taking our photo!! Why would he put pressure on someone like this!!” but that fear quickly melted away when I realized this “stranger” was actually in on the whole thing! She immediately started taking photos on HER camera after the quick phone photo she snapped. I was in shock and so confused/happy with tears running down my face, haha. It was amazing! Adam had planned it that way and had asked this kind stranger/professional photographer to meet us there at a certain time so she could capture the moment. So sneaky!!
Turns out we didn’t have dinner reservations up there after all. Come to think of it, I don’t even think they have a proper restaurant up there! I can be pretty oblivious, I tell ya…
Alanna stayed with us for a while and took some more photos as we walked through the trail back to the gondola. I thought I’d share a few of my favorites! She’s so talented. We are seriously the most awkward people on Earth to photograph (I’m used to being behind the camera myself!) so I’m beyond grateful that she was patient. I was also in a state of complete shock, so my head was a bit in the clouds during the shoot!
Adam is the sweetest, most thoughtful guy I’ve ever met, and he treats me like royalty even when I don’t deserve it. He has always gone above and beyond for me, and proposing where and how he did was so magical, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around. Squamish is where we took our first real trip together over four years ago, after only knowing each other for a few months. It was my first time in Canada. We camped in his old truck and hiked the Chief, way before the Sea to Sky Gondola even existed. He told me the night he proposed that ever since that first trip, he knew that would be the spot he was going to ask me to marry him. *heart exploded* Not sure how I got so lucky…
Everyone keeps asking me how I feel now that I’m engaged and I must admit that I do feel different. I feel very adult and have this extreme urge to nest and make a home and do adult things. I basically started planning our wedding that night and have been obsessing over wedding details for almost a month now! It’s a fun obsession, though. We have a venue and a date secured now at least, so my stress levels have gone down a little bit! It’s going to be a crazy year, but I’m so ready for it. Whoa dudes, we’re getting married! <3
P.S. Here’s my Instagram story from that day. I’m so glad I remembered to save it!
A-Jax says
Beautiful in everyway!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
🙂 <3
Faith says
So very excited and he did so good! Congrats!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
He so did! 🙂 Thank you!
Kay says
Oh Amanda!! I am so happy for you!! So so happy. I felt the emotions for you. Beautiful!!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
<3 <3 Thank you!!
Caitlin says
Such a beautiful location and story! And what .a sweet proposal! So happy for y’all!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, Caitlin! 🙂
Anna says
Ahhhhhh I love this story and I’m SO happy for you! and Adam!! The photos are so lovely. It’s so sweet that he arranged to capture the moment. 🙂 I can’t believe you have a venue and date already!! Can’t wait to hear about it!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you, Anna!! 🙂 I’ll have to tell you all about it!
Fiona says
This story is so sweet and beautiful – so happy for you guys!!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you, Fiona!
Jae (@gorjaeous) says
Damn it, Amanda—you got me crying happy tears with your proposal story! I started tearing up at the part where Adam handed his phone to a “stranger” that turned out to be a professional photographer, but suddenly burst into laughter when I read that you cried NOOO instead! Hahaha! I know this sounds ridiculous coming from a stranger like me, but I’m so incredibly happy for you, guys! I think you’re one of the most adorable couples I know from the blogosphere! For what it’s worth, your photos on the day of Adam’s proposal are amazing (I’m sure your engagement and wedding photos will be just as lovely)!
If there’s one unsolicited advice I’d give re: wedding planning, it’s to enjoy every bit of it because you’re going to miss everything about it when your Big Day is over! Congratulations to both of you, and happy wedding planning!?
amandaaude@gmail.com says
You are the sweetest!!! Thank you <3 <3 And ahhh I know - I actually like the planning thus far! I have a feeling that once it's over it'll be sorta sad, haha.
Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld says
Congratulations! These photos are just gorgeous too, that’s so nice that you’ll be able to look back on them in years to come 🙂
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you! I know, we’re hoping to get a few framed. 🙂
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels says
Ahhh congratulations! What a beautiful proposal story and I love that he had a photographer ready to capture the magical moment!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
<3 <3 Thank you! He is sneaky, sneaky. ;)
Jules ( shadesofcourage.com) says
Wonderful photos and well done Adam for keeping it all a secret and planning things out so well. What a wonderful proposal story. Congratulations!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you! Alanna did such a great job, I love how the photos came out!
Kelly says
CONGRATULATIONS!! So sweet and romantic, and what an amazing place to be proposed to! Very happy for both of you!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you, Kelly! I agree – it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been!
Vanessa Brune says
Congratulations!! That’s such a beautiful story and the surroundings definitely look perfect – and so magical <3 I had to laugh when you said your first reaction was NOOO 😀 Poor Adam 😉 Incredibly well thought through though! Now I can't wait to see what the wedding will look like!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you, Vanessa! Hahaha I know, I can’t believe that was my first reaction! I’m so excited to plan the wedding – it’ll be a crazy year!
Katie Tikkanen says
What a beautiful story! Do you mind if we share it to the Sea to Sky Gondola page?
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you! 🙂 We don’t mind at all! <3
Cynthia says
Ohmygoodness, this is such a sweet story and beautiful proposal! Congratulations!
I’ve only heard of Squamish but clearly I need to visit sometime. Your little cozy cabin is so cute!
Amanda says
Thank you, Cynthia!! <3 Squamish is magical – you must go!
Sarah says
Ahh congratulations, what beautiful scenery and how amazing that everything went according to his plan!! You two have such an exciting year ahead for you 🙂
Amanda says
Thank you, Sarah! 🙂 We do, indeed.
Sarah says
Ahhh Amanda, arriving at this post via Wanderful Wednesday and remembered I had read it way back in October! I can’t remember how I originally arrived to this post, but I remember loving it & the gorgeous photos of you guys.
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Aww, thank you so much, Sarah! 🙂
Marina says
This was beautiful. What an amazing setting for a proposal. I’m looking forward to some wedding planning posts in the future!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, Marina! It’s an exciting time, that’s for sure!
Jane Rebecca says
What a beautiful story and just STUNNING photos! I especially love the first few where you look so shocked/joyful. When I read that Adam knew he was going to propose there since your first trip I actually said ‘awwww’ out loud – thanks so much for sharing such a magical moment!!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
🙂 🙂 Thanks, Jane!!
suellyn says
Thank you for sharing this with us/me. I feel as if I were following behind the two of you the entire time. Your writing is very visual so I feel so very special to “be there’ with the two of you. I am uber happy for the two of you. I love you so much and watching you two find each other and now marry fills me with joy and hope for a better world. A million blessings to you both.
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Love you sooo much! <3
Jordan says
Oh my goodness, how romantic?! These photos are absolutely precious and I’m so excited for you! And what a stunning engagement backdrop. Congrats!!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you, Jordan!!
Allison says
Congratulations! That is such a sweet proposal! #wanderfulwednesday
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Allison!
Lisa says
Omg I’m such a cry baby when it comes to proposals/weddings and this post definitely made me sob!!! what a perfect spot to propose and also so well thought through with the photographer and everything!!! congratulations – really really happy for you!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Haha aw, thanks Lisa!!
Camila @ Adventitious Violet says
I’m super late obviously, but congrats! What a sweet story and I love the “spontaneous” photos, you look surprised an happy! 😀
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Aw thank you, Camila!!!