November 29, 2012 Allan proposed! He surprised me in more ways than one. Allan played it off as if it were a spontaneous trip up north as a reward for our crazy fall quarter. We left after work and arrived in Sebastapol at 2 am. After being greeted by sleepy, happy friends we all konked out. Once we woke up we had nothing to do but enjoy our school/work free day. Our plan was to take a nice walk in the redwoods and enjoy the outdoors until Zach and Lacy got off work, then it would be off to the antique stores from there. Zach and Lacy "got ready for work" leaving Allan and I to start our day. We finally got out of the apartment around 10, grabbed a cup of joe at the best coffee shop, and picked up some Whole Foods oatmeal. How could it get any better?
After arriving at the Grove of the Old Redwoods Allan "accidentally" honked the horn. At the time he played it off as an accident, but in reality he was sending the signal to Zach and Lacy that we had arrived. We got out of the car and began walking into the beautiful misty forest. All seemed well and normal until we turned a corner and came upon a picnic table draped in white. There were mason jars with candles, two root beers, and a letter on the table. I may have slightly interrogated Allan if this was for us or not. He told me to go check it out...
I opened the letter (written in invisible ink that I had bought us to write secret messages to one another) and it read, "Kathleen, I love you. I adore you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So..." I've never read a letter faster in my life than at this very moment. I turned to my right and Allan was down on one knee. He said the exact words he said to me when he first told me he loved me and proceeded to ask for my hand in marriage. I don't even remember what I said except for "OF COURSE" and a bunch of screams and crying in between. It was wonderful.
We walked back to my car where Zach and Lacy met us. At this point it began raining like cats and dogs. The rest of the day was spent meandering through the cutest, most quaint antique stores and a tea shop where the owners gave us "wedding tea" as an engagement gift.
Thanks again Zach and Lacy for being such a big part of our special day. It means a lot to us both. You're great and we just love you tons.
I am beyond content to spend the rest of my life with the man who is so obviously my other half. I love you Allan Wheeler and cannot wait for the day I become your Mrs. ; )
