a stroll through the woods ended with this...

We're getting married!

A Stroll through the Woods Ended with This

We're engaged! Thank you SO MUCH for all of the birthday and engagement texts, calls,  messages, emails and social media comments! Now that all of our family knows...I thought I would share more of how it happened...

Friday was my birthday and Brendan kept asking me what I wanted to do for my birthday...and being I'm not a huge birthday person...I just kept telling him "I just want to get engaged." - I know I know... I'm a turd. I worked a 9-5:30 shift on Friday and it was SUPPOSED to be a slower day and I was SO HOPING to get done early...

BUT of course it was the LONGEST DAY and I stayed til almost 7:30 PM. Brendan and I were texting back and forth and he asked if we could go down to the land after my shift for a quick stroll and then we could go do whatever after..

I thought it was a bit odd...but I guess I didn't care what we did at that point being it was already 2 hours past my shift...and I figured he wanted to check on something out at the farm/hunting land.

When I got home I changed quick and jumped in the truck with Hank and B and off we went! The land is about 20 minutes from our house...doesn't take too long to get there! B even packed a couple beers for our walk (which is pretty typical for us) Hank likes to pretend to drive....

We walked through the field and made our way to the woods. We have a favorite spot that overlooks the river...

THIS is the same spot! (pictured above)

We were talking about how gorgeous it is out there..and how peaceful. Hank meanwhile scarfing ALL the grass he can and Brendan making sure he doesn't fall off the ledge...

I made my way over to them off the trail...it was DEAD quiet out there... EXCEPT for two geese that landed in the water. Brendan said something about that he was going to "disturb the peace" and I commented something like "yelling marco polo and see who responds?"  -

"No...not like that."

He turned with a ring in his hand and said...."Will you marry me."

At this point I'm NOT sure how I responded.. something like "OMG....well of course!!!"

Then we tried REALLY hard to get some pictures...while Hank was almost throwing up grass...

The ring is STUNNING. He did an amazing job...

even more amazing? This is REAL LIFE.

Still in shock..

and of course we got Hank in on the action too!

We walked back to the truck and I swear I kept saying... "I'm just so excited. I can't believe it" I wanted to hear ALL about how he planned this out...etc and couldn't wait to hear the ruckus my ring had caused too!

We called our families on the way home and sent out pictures and text messages. I haven't stopped staring at my finger and SMILING. I literally woke up this morning and was afraid it had all been a dream. And when I grabbed my finger I realize it is real life...and I'm the luckiest woman in the world. 

Let the planning begin!

Tell me your tips and tricks and any advice!

Also - did anyone use a wedding planner? (I mean the journal kind...not the person kind!)