My mind was made up. I had the ring, and now, I was increasingly preoccupied with all the ideas I had for proposing, ranging from memorable National Park destinations with amazing views to elaborate dinner dates.  I had come up with so many different scenarios it was adding to the natural stress of the situation and still none seemed to feel right for us.  I’m sure that in time we will have many memories involving travels and dinner dates of all kinds where something about the surroundings is what makes it memorable but for now I was looking for the scenario that would just fall together almost on it’s own and present itself in such a way that the notable detail would be how we just enjoyed each other’s company.  Well, that scenario did fall into place, confirmed by the fact that when we both recount that day, it has all the necessary elements‒ anticipation, laughter, ample time together, atmosphere, and a bit of surprise all within what was a seemingly normal day together.   

As our dating anniversary approached, I knew what I wanted to accomplish. We hadn’t made any plans yet for the occasion but I knew she would be asking soon. The only problem, as of that point, no plan yet.  I did know that I wanted it to seem like a casual weekend so whatever it was I needed to just‒ not act weird.  I heard on the radio that snow was forecasted for the weekend, and suddenly, I was settled.  We both love the winter season, in such a short time with very little difficulty, the scenario began to present itself.  What better way to enjoy a snowy day together than to get engaged.  I volunteered the idea that we should make a dedicated effort to take pictures while it snowed. Sophie of course loved the idea because it was something we’ve been meaning to do for a while. We spent the day thinking and looking around town for such picturesque places.  Her family was with us the whole day.  Her family is very close and it definitely added to the day for all of us..  It was the right move to include them for this day; I knew that.  I was of course obsessively checking the forecast, adamant we were gonna wait until it started snowing. It was perfect timing.  I was ready with the ring safely in my pocket.  She just finished getting ready and big perfect snowflakes began to fall. We were both so happy and excited.  

We went to four different areas around town taking different pictures together over the course of a few hours that seemed like much less, maybe an hour.   Sophie is the 3rd generation to grow up in Grand Forks so everywhere we went her parents pointed out different places, shared interesting facts, family history and stories. From the very start it was uniquely exciting and memorable.  Every place we visited would’ve been suitable for proposing but I waited.  At this point the snow was really starting to accumulate and we were all a little bit cold.  So it had to be time. I couldn’t let it “play out” any longer.  The last spot we went to had extra significance, as it turned out.  It was along the river’s edge overlooking  the area where her parents had lived in their first house,  in a neighborhood that’s now a park because the area was lost to the flood. It has sentimental significance to them and certainly added a unique element.  I must admit, that was not planned into the day like it played out.  We couldn’t have asked for a better day; the whole day spontaneously became a perfect fit for us with really no detailed planning other than I wanted to propose while it was snowing and in her hometown.  Anyway, getting cold, I requested one last picture and just as we were posing and trying to smile nice, I turned to face her and said “ok this picture is gonna be different.”  I’ll never forget how her facial expression instantly turned so serious‒ we laugh about it still.  I got down on one knee and finally, after checking repeatedly all day long that the ring was still in my pocket, I held it up and asked her to marry me.  3.15.2020.  

Big thanks to Royal Jewelers, they did an amazing job helping me to create the perfect ring!