“I knew that I wanted to marry Shelby after the first few months. Once we graduated and moved to Houston to begin our careers I was finally able to start planning the engagement. Shelby wanted it to be intimate, just me and her, but she also wanted all of her family and friends there afterwards. So once everyone had been invited and I had been warned by her best friend REPEATEDLY not to let her be proposed to in Nike shorts, I felt confident that the plan was perfect. I got in the car Saturday morning and told Shelby I forgot my wallet and ran back in to get the ring. My mom handed it to me and I put it in my pocket. I turned towards the door, stopped, turned back around and dropped to one knee. “Which hand?!” My mom stuck out her left and said, “Trust me, she’ll hand it to you.” We took some pictures together, saw most of the arboretum, and I finally pointed to a random structure in the distance and said, “Well I really just want to see that thing and we can go!” As we walked up to the structure an employee with a camera stopped us and asked to take our picture for the website. Shelby agreed and we went to an area a few feet away from the crowds. We took about 3-4 pictures. I started to say that I needed to tie my shoes, but then I realized I was wearing boots. I panicked and just dropped to the ground. Shelby said, “What are you doing? Are you taking your wallet out for the picture?” She looked up to tell the photographer (who was not actually an employee) and when she turned around I had the ring out. (I broke the box in half I was so nervous). I don’t remember what I said and I don’t remember what she said, but it must have been yes!
While we were gone all of our friends and family were rushing to the house to get ready to surprise Shelby. When we walked into the house she was 100% shocked. Not just by the fact that there were people but by whom. We had aunts, uncles, friends, siblings, friends that had flown hours to be there- everyone came to this party. I had spent countless nights at the office calling, inviting, telling everyone they must keep this party a secret. It totally paid off and Shelby was over the moon that her family was there to experience the engagement with her.”