I am SO excited to share the news that Ryan and I are ENGAGED! Saturday, December 5th, 2020, will forever be a special day and one to celebrate.
For the back story: Ryan is obsessed with Christmas, and really big on traditions. Every year since we have been dating, we have gone downtown to Little Italy for dinner around Christmastime. This year we decided to go during the one weekend I had off work, the first weekend in December. Ryan suggested we go about 45 mins before our reservation to walk around the city and look at the Christmas lights. I was all for it and didn’t think anything of it!
When we parked in Little Italy, I took a photo with Ryan in the car – we don’t often take photos together (mostly because he doesn’t like to as much) but he actually seemed okay with it, which I was surprised and happy about. I didn’t really think much of that either.
We started walking, and he suggested we could walk around Harbor East which again I was all for. We got out of the car and walked around Little Italy, and then headed to Harbor East. The lights were really pretty, but I was getting cold and my toes were already numb. I almost suggested we start heading to the restaurant, but I didn’t want to cut it short, haha! When we got near the water, there is one spot that has a balcony type area. It is probably my favorite spot in the city, because the view of the city is incredible but it is also quiet and intimate. Ryan led me to there and at that point I started getting suspicious!
We talked for a little bit and admired the skyline at night, and at that point I had a stronger feeling and was so nervous! I just kept thinking the whole time, “Is this really happening right now?” And then Ryan said, “Colleen, you know I love you more than anything. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” And then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!
I don’t even think I ever said, “Yes” haha! I cried and said “Of course!” without even looking at the ring. We kissed and hugged and talked for a few minutes and eventually I asked if anyone else was there. Ryan’s mom and brother came out from behind a concrete wall a couple yards away where they had taken photos and videos. They must have been well hidden because I probably walked right past them but never saw them! Unfortunately my mom and sister had to quarantine, so they aren’t able to be there. I called my mom right after and we drove past her house on the way home so she could see us and my ring through the window!
After I called my mom we hopped in Ryan’s mom’s car to head to the restaurant, and I called my sister. After dinner we stopped and got dessert, and Ryan and I headed back to the apartment. It was nice to spend the rest of the night just the two of us!
Aside from my family not being able to be there, everything was perfect. Ryan and I had talked about getting engaged ahead of time, and I had said I wanted it to just be the two of us with someone hiding and taking photos haha. It was definitely the perfect spot for that!
the Ring
I’ve already been getting questions about my ring, so I figured I would share a little bit about it! I had looked at rings last year for fun when I was doing a sponsored campaign with a local jewelry store. I figured out I did not want a halo and wanted a simple, circular stone. I didn’t like the twisted band but didn’t want it to be plain – I definitely wanted sparkles! There were so many rings I thought were pretty, and it was actually a bit overwhelming. Although Ryan and I never looked together, we did talk about it a little. I knew he wanted to pick it out himself, and that is what he did. I felt like that made it more special for us, and definitely helped to keep the proposal a surprise – I didn’t even know he had bought a ring!
I can’t wait to share more about our journey into the future! I will be sharing more wedding updates on my Instagram stories and on my blog so be sure to look out for those. Let me know if there is anything specific you want to see in the comments below!
