Popping the Question

As far as the "engagement story" goes, there are 2 parts (from my point of view) to the story. (It's pretty long...hope you enjoy it!)

Part 1 - The Secret
We had been planning on going to Havasupi in May 2008 with a few of our friends (Cierra and Matt the married couple, Stu, Nephi along with P and I) for quite a few months. We were doing all the packing of our packs (its an 11 mile hike down the canyon and we decided to pack our stuff in...crazy decision) and P went upstairs to get his clothes together. I was packing all the snacks and other items into the side pockets of both mine and his packs. I filled my pockets up then moved to his pack. I filled up one side then moved to the other...and found a small black box in the top side pocket (P loves to constantly ask me if I would marry him. He has told me he just likes the reassurance...I think he just likes to ask the question to gauge my reaction.) I knew he had gotten the ring, however, I just didn't know if he was ever gonna let me wear it! So this was a big suprise.
Feeling super embarrassed and quite flustered, I quickly stuffed the ring box back into the pocket, and returned to stuffing my pack instead (I don't think I even filled the last 2 pockets of his pack...oops!). I didn't say anything to P about finding the box (I really felt dumb even though I wasn't snooping around) and tried to act normal...that was rough!


Part 2 - The Story
Well the week went by really fast (all except for the first day when we hiked in...that was murder on my feet) and I kept expecting the proposal (even in our camp the place was gorgeous) but it didn't happen and it didn't happen...I was seriously starting to wonder if my difficulties hiking down the first day had given him second thoughts about marrying me! Our last full day there was a different story. :)
We had enjoyed another full day of swimming in the cold water, hiking in the river and enjoying the beauty of nature. Since it was our last day, P suggested to me that before the light was completely gone, he wanted to go and take a few pictures of Havasu Falls from "this really cool place" he had found earlier in the day.
We started getting ready to walk the mile up there (the whole time I'm
thinking "This is it...this is really it...holy cow! This is crazy!"), when suddenly P said "Let's ask everyone else to come!"(Now I was thinking..."Okay...either this isn't it...or if everyone does come, and this is it, it may be a little awkward to have an audience for the proposal. I am pretty sure he wouldn't do that to me!") So we went and found the rest of the group and asked if they wanted to join us. They all said "Sure" and we headed back to camp so they could change and come with us.
As we waited, Cierra said "You know what, I'm tired and don't feel like hiking anymore. You guys go without me." So, of course her husband was out too. Then Stu and Nephi just decided that they didn't want to go anyway...so P and I set out alone (my mind was racing again at this point) for the falls.
As we finally got close to the spot P wanted to go to, I asked him if he had brought any water in his pack. He said he did and he would get it out when we got to the place. As we climbed up on a few rocks, P told me to sit down and he took his pack off and knelt on the ground to dig in the bag. I was waiting for the water bottle when suddenly he said "Kira?" (I think he must have been really distracted or psyching himself up for the occasion...cuz he didn't really have water in his hand ! And I was really THIRSTY!) And there it was. The little black box. In his hand. And he was looking at me. And he asked me something. (I don't remember what was said. How sad is that?!) I know it was something along the "Marry Me?" kind of line....but what exactly? I dont know. I do know that all of a sudden we were just hugging and he asked me again in a choked voice about marrying him and all I said was "Okay" with a smile. We had a little laugh about him being the one that was choked up instead of me, he put the ring on, and we headed back to camp to show it off. (Apparently everyone in camp was in on the secret...the one secret I wasn't in on-thank goodness!!) Oh yes, and sometime as we walked back I told him the story of I had found the box prior to us leaving st. george...he was totally shocked. I guess I can kind of act... :)


But that's the story...and now we are working toward our happily forever after...

Picture Index
Pic 1: P and I at Mooney Falls.
Pic 2: Starting the trek down the canyon to camp.
Pic 3: Havasu Falls. Peter and I made our engagement "official" here.
Pic 4: The group at Hoover Dam-K P Stu Nephi Matt & Cierra.