Our engagement story!

Hey gang! Happy Saturday. It’s been a little over a month since Joe and I have referred to each other as fiancés, and I haven’t shared the details of how he proposed. It was the most magical evening of my life! I thought I’d share the story and some small details of our wedding. 

At the beginning of winter break, Joe and I were spoiled for a week with my family. We all met up on the gorgeous island of Maui! My family came from Portland and Joe and I flew in from Salt Lake - it was an amazing, much needed break from the cold we were having in Utah. We stayed at a hotel on the beach in Lahaina, it was beauuuuutiful! On the first full day that we were there, the 17th of December, my mom told all of us that she had booked a sailboat ride for that evening and made a reservation at my family’s favorite restaurant in Wailea. Little did I know, Joe was actually the one who had booked the sailboat ride. He went along with it though and acted like he knew nothing about it. At that point, my whole family knew what was going to happen later that night - the only clueless person was yours truly. We went about our day laying in the sun, snorkeling in the ocean, drinking piña coladas and other yummy smoothies - like I said, this vacation was amazing. It came time to head up to our room and get ready for the evening so that we could make it to our boat. When we were getting ready, Joe was still acting totally calm and collected. Looking back, he did tell me to wear my white and black dress so that 1. I could match him and 2. the colors would look good in photos after he proposed. So sneaky.

We drove to a dock near Wailea and found our lovely sailboat for the evening. Two guys were there to greet us and take us out on the water - they were great and had plenty of fun stories to share. We sailed out towards the horizon on this cute little sailboat, and right from the start, the evening was perfect. Being with Joe, my family (who I don’t get to see very often), in the prettiest setting, warm weather, what could be better? A little after we had begun sailing, we spotted a momma whale and her baby about 100 yards away - one of the coolest things I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve never been that close to such a large and special animal before, that was a once in a lifetime experience for all of us! The sun began to set, and I kid you not, this may have been the most stunning sunset I’d ever seen. The sky was full of colors, and because we were far out from the shore, it seemed like the colors were engulfing us on the water. Gosh, it was perfect!!

Once the sun had fully set below the horizon, I started getting an idea that something was going to happen. I was sitting next to Joe on the boat and I could feel his pulse pounding so hard through his entire body - why would his heart be pounding so fast? Shortly thereafter, Joe stood up and began his little speech. I immediately was filled with nerves, my heart also began to beat through my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile. Here I was looking at the man of my dreams who was about to propose to me in front of my whole family. This is a moment that every girl dreams of - and here it was happening to me! And the best part, I was totally surprised! Joe got down on one knee and said there wasn’t a shadow of a doubt in his mind that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. “Savannah Grace, will you marry me?” …. “YES!!!!!!!” I was shaking, he was shaking, we were both smiling, on the verge of tears - it was such a magical moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. He 100% nailed it, it couldn’t have gone any better.

The photo shoot then began and phone calls were being made - we were SO excited. Joe and I have known for a long time we wanted to get married so it was only a matter of time to make the engagement official. We sailed back to shore and the evening carried on - we went to a lovely dinner at a hotel in Wailea then drove back to our hotel and called it a night. Joe and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time - we were both ecstatic. Joe was smart and proposed right after we arrived, so for the rest of the week we enjoyed our time together and he didn’t have to stress! We had the best week in the sun. 

So there it is friends - the story of how Joe and I got engaged. Like I said, it was a night that I will cherish forever! If this night was as magical as it was, I can’t even begin to imagine how amazing our wedding day will be. We are planning to get married in Portland on July 13th. The date is set, we have a venue, a photographer, a dress… it’s all happening! We are so excited to be sealed together for time and all eternity. I’ve never felt so much love for a human like I do for Joe. I can’t wait to become a Wheelwright and live the rest of my life with him by my side! 

I will give more wedding updates once it gets closer, but for now, that’s all I got for ya. Thanks for reading my sappy story and thoughts about this love of mine. Everyone deserves to have a fairytale relationship! You just gotta find the right guy. I’m so grateful I’ve found mine.

Lotsa love, 

Sav