The Lees Photography, California
If you missed the other parts of our story, check them out below.
When I “Knew” Blake was “The One”
I want to start off by sharing, while Blake and I were in a really good place. We had been together for two years already. Blake and I HAD NOT talked about marriage.
You read that correctly.
This takes place just three months after getting home from Denver during fall break my Senior year. 🙂 I hope you enjoy!
A Tradition Continued
Since we started dating, each Fall Break we would go somewhere new. A tradition we’ve continued since being married, but now it’s a long weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary, October 5, 2013.
Our first year we went white water rafting together in West Virginia. The next year we went to Door County. Both weekend adventures Blake had planned. This time, it was my turn.
Since we always drove, I wasn’t 100% where we should go. It had to be within driving distance and there is only so much excitement in the Midwest. (Lots of love though!) We finally landed on Niagara Falls. I had been there before, but Blake hadn’t yet.
My Little Sister Lisa
I got home from school just an hour or so before Blake was going to pick me up. I quickly tossed some stuff in a bag along with the itinerary I had made. If I forgot something, no worries, we could always pick it up. Phone. Wallet. Keys. Phone charger. Bag & schedule. I was good to go.
I was just going through my mental list again when Lisa started following me around.
Lisa was kind of coy about it at first. Asking me questions about the trip. What we were going to see? What did we want to do?
I could tell she was fishing.
Finally, she asked the question that was burning in her mind, “Rachael, what are you going to do if he proposes?”
“What?” I asked her. That hadn’t even crossed my mind. Blake and I were solid and I already knew he was the one for me, but we hadn’t even talked about it! I still had to graduate, find a job. Plus, I’d written the schedule, I’d planned the trip. It didn’t make sense.
Lisa pushed me again, not satisfied with my lack of an answer.
I told her not to be ridiculous and headed for the back door. At that point, Lisa said, “For real. Rachael, what are you going to say if he proposes?”
In my family, when somebody says “For real,” you have to tell the truth. A little annoyed I turned around, bag in one hand, doorknob in the other.
I looked Lisa right in the eye and said, “I’ma tell him no.” Then I turned and walked out of the house and hopped into Blake’s car.
Story Time
Reeling at the persistence of my little sister, I hopped into the car and immediately started to tell Blake the whole story. Including my sassy answer back to her. Little did I know he already had the ring in his pocket. Oops! Sorry babe.
The Falls & The Proposal
We made it to Niagara Falls and fell into our natural rhythm. Laughing, exploring, hiking and seeing all the area had to offer.
On our last day, we did everything related to Niagara Falls.
We took the Maid of the Mist, yellow ponchos and all over to the bottom of the falls. It was incredible! Even though I’d been to the falls before, I’d never gone to the bottom.
After getting off the Maid of the Mist, we checked out the platform at the bottom of the falls. You can actually go behind some of the falls underground!
Blake and I had just finished exploring the and were headed over to the elevator to go back up when Blake asked me if I wanted to walk down to the platform again.
I was a little confused. He was acting unsure and we had already seen it. However, it would be fun to get a photo of the two of us together there so I said yes and we headed back.
Blake handed his phone to a lady and asked her to take a couple of photos.
She was super sweet about it. After taking a few she started to hand it back. Blake stumbled over his words and asked her to take another photo.
It was so weird!
I looked over at the lady apologetically. I was sure the photos she had taken were perfect, but when I looked back at Blake, he wasn’t there.
Suddenly, he was holding my hand. I looked down and he was down on his knee! Mist flying, knee in a puddle and yellow ponchos slick to our bodies. I. Was. Dumbfounded.
“Will you marry me?”
“Are you serious?”
“Will you marry me?”
“Are you serious?” Now I can hear the lady taking our photo start shrieking with excitement. “Are you serious?”
“Yes!”
“Are you serious?”
“No.”
“Wait. Are you serious?”
“Of course I am! Will you marry me?”
“Are you serious? Yes!” I couldn’t believe it. “Wait! Did you ask my Dad?”
“Of course. Weeks ago.”
“Oh. My. Gosh. Yes.”
It may not have been a long romantic speech, but I wouldn’t have been able to hear him anyways. (The falls are really loud!) It was perfect and it was us. It was unexpected, it was genuine and I could not have felt more joy at that moment.
Much Love Friend,
PS. After I told Blake all about my conversation with Lisa, he was, understandably, unsure of what to do. He told me that as soon as I fell asleep he called his mom to talk with her. She was super encouraging and told him to ask anyway. I’m glad he did. 🙂
Team Watson For Life: Epic Stories & Adventures
July 12, 2019