This is how we got engaged:

Our Story:

July 2003:  We had been discussing our future plans more so over the past few months.   Dave purchased an aquamarine ring for my birthday.  I needed to get it sized. So we made a trip to the mall to the jewelry store.  We began "window shopping" for engagement rings.  I looked at lots of different styles, cuts, etc.  I fell in love with a princess cut solitaire in a cathedral setting.  Only difference in the one I would have picked was the color of the band.  I wanted white gold.  After traveling to a few jewelry shops, we pretty much dropped the subject.  There were a few little things that made me suspicious but I ended up dropping it since I thought he was buying a new computer or something like that for his office.  

Anyway, I was getting excited since our vacation was coming up fast (July 26).  We chose to go on a road trip for the experience of traveling across the country with a final destination of Arizona.  We both had wanted to visit Sedona and the Grand Canyon and figured what better time then the present.  It was an awesome experience.  Sedona was beautiful..... Monstrous red rocks filled the horizon at every angle.  The play of light on the landscape just kept you in awe of the beauty.  We hiked up Boynton Canyon Trail, a famous energy vortex.  As luck would have it, we had pretty severe weather conditions which made things so much more interesting.  After 4 hours of rain, lightening, and water run off surges, we made it back ok with an experience of a lifetime under our belts.  After 2 more days, we were off to the Grand Canyon. 

 First night there we set up camp, got settled and relaxed by a nice camp fire. It was definitely awe-inspiring to see in person.  It is hard to put into words. We decide the next day we were going to attempt to hike a trail down into the canyon.  Were we crazy?????  Nah.  Anyway, we wanted to watch the sunset.  Sunsets at the canyon had potential to be magnificent so we hurried to find a great spot.  Along the way to our spot, I noticed a giant rainbow stretching itself across the canyon.  We, of course, had to take pictures in front of it.  Finally, we were satisfied with a spot which overhung the canyon just a little.  It offered a spectacular view of the sun setting and the change in color of the rocks.  I brought a blanket so that made it just comfortable enough to sit back and relax.  I was completely fixated on the scenery.  He began talking and mentioned that he had a funny story for me but first wanted to ask me a question.  Any guesses at what the question was?????  Will you marry me rolled out and I was pretty much in shock as I looked down and saw my dream ring....  I sat unresponsive until realizing that I hadn't given him an answer. I SAID YES!  We were even lucky enough to have our picture taken shortly after he proposed.  That was by far one of the best moments of my life.  We are very happy and lucky to have found each other.  That vacation sure holds a wealth of memories for me.  

To finish the story, we hiked the South Kaibab Trail into the canyon the next day.  Had a wonderful time doing so.  Pictures can show it better than I could ever describe.  That was another fantastic moment when you realize you are in the middle of the Grand Canyon with this tremendous panoramic view of earth.  We were able to contact our families to let them know of our great news.  Everyone was excited and couldn't wait to see us.  The ride to New Jersey seemed a bit longer since we were anxious to get back home to tell everyone.  So in a bigger nutshell, that's how it happened.  I couldn't have dreamed of a more special way to begin this next phase of my life....