The Proposal

October 3rd, 2010, Seth *finally* asked me to marry him.

I say finally, because on October 3rd we were also celebrating seven amazing years of being together! You would think that after seven years, I should have been expecting him to get down on one knee at any second (and in a way I was) but he totally surprised me that day, I wasn't expecting it at all, and it was one of the happiest surprises of my life!

The day started out wonderfully. We had it all planned out, and we began the festivities in one of our favorite locations: REI. I really wanted to buy Seth a pair of hiking boots, and since I wanted him to try them on we went to the store and he picked out his favorite pair. 

Seth and I tend to go all out on our anniversary. It is by far our favorite 'holiday' and in the past each one has tended to have a certain theme that went along with it, usually by accident. Our first year, for example, we exchanged jewelry, our second - guitars, our fourth was electronics, fifth was tattoos, and so on. So guess what I was really hinting for this year? ... A backpacking stove. Super romantic right? But really I wanted one really bad! So as the day went on, as we left REI and continued with our day, I kept wondering to myself - "when am I going to get my stove? I wonder why he hasn't given it to me yet..." :) I had no idea what I was in for!

Next, we drove back into the city, and had lunch at a super cute restaurant called Greens, in the Marina. It was a beautiful day and through the huge bay windows you could see the Golden Gate Bridge and all of the boats. Also, the food was super delicious!

After lunch, our plan was to pack our backpacks and head off on a ferry to Angel Island! This was by far what I was most excited for - we both love hiking and camping out. On our way to Sausalito to catch the ferry, I kept asking Seth "So... when am I going to get my present?" I was a little impatient especially since he was walking around in his new boots that I was super envious of. First he said, when we get on the ferry. But on the ferry he said, maybe when we get to the island. And of course on the island he said, "When we get to the top." I didn't even know Angel Island had a 'top' but from there I stopped asking because frankly I got super distracted about the gorgeous hike and views from the trail!

We saw a lot of deer and other animals! According to the park ranger they all come out in the evening hours since all the tourists have left for the day (the only people on the island after 5pm are campers) and we were one of the only campers on the island that night. The hike was great and no matter if it was the hills or the view, it took my breath away more than a few times. :)

As we were getting closer to the campsite, Seth and I took a couple videos:

*spoiler - they are incredibly cheesy, but come on it's our anniversary ;)*

Another couple of bends after the videos - we finally got to our campsite, and it was absolutely gorgeous! The site was sitting on a ridge that dropped straight down into the bay. I dropped my bag by the fire pit and ran out onto the bank of the ridge to soak in the view. The sun was setting, turning the sky all orange and pink, and the bridge and the city were all lit up on the horizon. Seth ran out with me, and we stood there for a while, so happy to have finally arrived at such a beautiful spot. Seth asked me, "Would you like your present now?" and I said, "Yeah! Let's go get it!" I started walking back towards the bags. But he said, "No, I have it here with me." 

I walked back towards him, and this is where I started to realize what was going on. His hand went down towards his pocket, and I swear I let out a tiny gasp. 

"Turn around," Seth told me. And I complied, seriously unable to do anything else. A million things were running through my head, most notably was "Oh my gosh Tessa, what are you wearing?!" I know it sounds silly, but I was wearing running tights, a hiking T-shirt and boots! Since the time I started daydreaming about this moment, I was (of course) wearing a dress, I had a manicure, and makeup on - I wasn't even wearing make up! I don't know why I was so shocked by this, but that's where my mind went. :) So all of this went through my head in a matter of 5 seconds, and Seth said "Okay, turn back around, sweetie." And I couldn't! I was so excited, yet anxious, and so so happy, but nervous at the same time! I couldn't even will my body to move, and so Seth stood up, came over in front of me, got down on one knee, held an open ringbox and asked me, "Tessa will you marry me?" At that moment all the worries in my head washed away, without missing a beat, I exclaimed, "Yes, of course, yes!" Then came the tears, the kiss, the embrace. We were both so happy, just overjoyed that "wow, we are really going to spend the rest of our lives together!"

Even with the hiking attire, the inevitable dirt on my arms and legs, and the windswept hairdo, he could not have asked me in a more perfect way. We were both entirely in our element, and man was it nice to have our only audience be nature. We were able to fully be ourselves, and celebrate our very own way. I am still amazed that he managed to surprise me - his timing was perfect and we are both so excited to begin the rest of our lives together.