In her words

I woke up the morning of February 24th preparing to host Garrett's best friend, Alex Toger, and his fiancé, Sarah, for a visit, as they live a couple hours away. I got in the shower and when I came out, I discovered a card, cash, and disposable camera. Missing, was Garrett and my phone.

Absolutely overjoyed & excited, I cued Alexa to play all wedding related songs while I continued to get ready. Just as his note said, my best friend, Silvanna, arrived with my favorite breakfast & said we are leaving to go shopping.

We shopped for some engagement day outfit options & all Silvanna would tell me was that we need to be somewhere at 11:30am. When that time came, I really couldn't figure out where we were headed until we arrived -- the nail salon. (I mean, he really thought of it all).

I walked into the nail salon and standing right inside are some MORE of my very best friends - Gretchen, Ingrid, Ali, Sam, Cydney, and Allyson. I can't stress how incredible & how BIG of a surprise this was. After hugs, tears, & some yapping (as we do), we all sat down to get our nails done. After, we headed to Wealthy St. to walk around the shops, which is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. We went to my favorite jewelry store, Dime & Regal, (which, happens to be where my ring is from!) and then Donkey Taqueria for some margaritas. While there, Silvanna told me it was time to say goodbye to the girls because we had to head to my next stop.

We walked about a block away to my favorite restaurant, Zivio. At this point, I've had my fun - it must be proposal time, right? I walk inside the restaurant (prepared to see Garrett) but spot my dad, my sister, Erica, my niece, Audrey, Ann, my Uncle Mike, & Aunt Cindy. After saying hello & sitting down, my dad handed me his phone, which had my Aunt Kathy & Uncle Kent on Facetime. I chatted with them for a moment when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around… & it was them! This got me good - Aunt Kathy and Uncle Kent live in SC & had flown in for this special day. Again, the surprises continue & my chills haven't gone away since. All of us enjoyed our meal until my dad said it was time for him to take me to my next stop.

It's around 4:30p now & I'm in the car, nervous, thinking NOW must be engagement time. My dad pulls the car up to Garrett & my favorite date night location - House Rules, which is a board game bar. I laugh internally, thinking, "of course he would do it here." My dad, Ann, & I walk inside & the host tells us we are the first of the group to arrive. This made all too much sense a few minutes later when all of my (notoriously fashionably late) Grand Rapids friends - Claire, Aleks, Gaspo, Affer, Grant, Logan, Tony, Silvanna - arrived to join me. Yes, STILL, no Garrett. We played board games for a whopping TWO hours, knowing what I know & had a blast. Promptly after, we all loaded up in Logan's car to go to my "next stop."

It's around 6:45pm & I'm dropped off at the Chop House in downtown GR. Garrett MUST be waiting at the table the host is walking me to. The host signals that we arrived to my table after turning a corner - but it is not Garrett. Sitting there is none other than my mom & Grandma. Talk about tears. For those that don't know, my mom lives in Phoenix & Grandma, across the state. It had been on my mind throughout the day that it was too bad my mom wasn't going to be present for the day, but no, not even thousands of miles kept her from being there! After the shock, the water works, & a toast, we had the best meal & conversations that I will cherish forever.

My Grandma got a head start to coat check when we were finished with dinner & by the time my mom & I got to the front of the restaurant, she was gone. Mom said, "she must have started walking to the car." I immediately started panicking, thinking my Grandma is walking in the cold, dark streets of GR ALONE. My mom & I hustled about a block away to Rosa Parks Circle when I saw my coworkers, Rachael & Sierra, across the street. Immediately, I notice that behind them, I recognize just about EVERYONE who is standing across the street. (Grandma included, phew!)

Formed in a perfect lane are all of the people I saw that day & more. After crossing the street, my mom nudged me to walk through this aisle of loved ones, so I did. Passing through, saying hi, & getting high fives along the way, I near the end & I finally see Garrett. The next thing I know, he is on one knee, asking to grow old together. Easiest yes of my life!