Another thing I didn't realize is how many questions I'd be asked about the day it happened. I've been asked countless times how Kyrin popped the question. Don't get me wrong, reliving that moment is something that will never grow old in my book but I figured if I document that day that maybe that will, for one, answer it for everyone and secondly, let it be a piece of our story that our children can one day read (in case I'm so old that I forget by then lol). So here goes nothing.
It was Thursday, September 12, 2013. We were vacationing in the OBX and had spent the day poolside with our best friends. We decided early in the week that we wanted to dedicate one night for just us so after some much needed showers we ventured out. After trying to get into two different restaurants for a late lunch/early dinner, we decided to head to our favorite OBX eatery, Awful Arthur's, to get our usual oyster, shrimp and beer combo.
After lots of food and great conversation, we headed over to this tower that overlooks the water where we spent hours during our first vacation to the area, years before. It was super windy and hard to talk so back to the car we headed after about 30 minutes of trying to control my hair long enough to snap a decent photo. In all my time at the OBX, we'd never visited Jockeys Ridge so we decided to see what all the fuss is about. Let me tell you something about sand dunes: they aren't easy to climb up. The sand is soft, hot and never ending. We all know Kyrin loves his exercise but this was not for me. Kyrin will tell you now that he thought he'd lost me in that moment. While I didn't complain (much), it was a doozy. I was exhausted after dune number one and down we came. In retrospect, I give him a lot of credit for being so patient with me and am super grateful for the bottle of water he stopped for on our way back. Anyway, I digress. So, we are headed back to the house and he mentions that on one of his morning runs (how are we a couple?!) he had found this really cool spot overlooking the water. He wanted to take me there so I could see it. Now, many would have thought by this point there was something fishy going on. Not me. Kyrin loves him some nature so I never question when he wants to take me to places like this. Most times I roll my eyes at what a geek he is. We are heading over there and I notice that he's getting super annoyed at this Prius that is driving super slow in front of us. I tell him it's no big deal....we're at the beach, it's slow here! Again, I think nothing else of this aside from "what a grump". We get to his spot and park. We walk through a small wooded path and get to the pier which overlooks the Sound.
Let me tell you, it's beautiful. The sun was setting (behind some clouds but still partially visible) and there was a calmness that only the Sound can give you. We walked to the end and stood there together looking at the water and chatting about life. He looks to me and says that he is so sorry this isn't even more beautiful for me. I tell him I love it and that just being with him is enough for me. He takes my hand and starts to turn me around. As I'm turning, he is getting down on one knee. Now, I'll be honest, this moment has played out in my head more times than you can imagine. Since I met Kyrin I wondered what it would be like, how I would react. But I never, ever, ever thought I'd do what I did. I asked him if he was serious, he nodded yes. I asked him if this was really happening, he said yes. And then, I lost it. I bawled. I couldn't explain to you what came over me. It was this rush of emotions and like a movie of our life together played suddenly in my head. I felt the kind of love you think only happens in movies. I know, it's super corny but it's the God's honest truth. In that moment I fell in love with Kyrin even more than I knew possible. He said a lot next. And I'd be lying if I said I remember it all. It's funny, too, cause I always told him the proposal and his words were more important to me then a ring. And then here comes the day and I can barely listen because I just want to hug him and kiss him and say yes already.
But, I waited and tried to concentrate. I remember him saying that I'm his best friend and how he can't imagine life without me by his side. He said he wanted babies with me....and puppies (which I found so incredibly sweet). And, while Kyrin will deny this till the day he dies, he shed a little man tear. Maybe it was the idea that he was now ending his single life for real that made him shed a tear (lol). I like to think that it's because his life was just beginning. Anyway, and then he pulled out a box and said those five words I've been dreaming about since April 22, 2006. I didn't even look at the ring. I just couldn't wait to hug him. Before I could say yes he told me he was sorry he made me wait so long. I told him he was worth the wait and then I said YES!!
After I was calm and the tears were dry, I bombarded him with questions. He told me he had asked my parents (AND brother) for their blessing. He told me how he'd customized the ring (which he did an amazing job at on his own!!). He told me how his face hurt from all the kisses my mom had planted on him when she found out. And how he even got his Dad to crack a big smile when he told them his plans.
I am literally the happiest girl in the world right now. Knowing that I'm marrying my partner in crime, drinking buddy, cornhole partner, football companion, my biggest advocate, and my best friend in the world is what has kept this smile on my face for the last six months.
That, and this constant reminder on my finger of course. ;)
