Collin's proposal was absolutely perfect. It was everything I could have ever wanted. Although it was perfect (Thanks Bruce for saving me the embarrassment of getting up in front of thousands of people), it was definitely not a surprise.

I did not know Collin had the ring for sure, but I had a good feeling about it. A few weeks prior to the proposal we got some suspicious mail and he acted very nervous when he saw it. Then he had to make a trip to Minneapolis, for recruiting I believe, and the dogs usually stayed home with me while he was gone, this time he insisted that the dogs go to my mother's house because I was working so much. I agreed, but I had a feeling that he would be asking for my mom's permission to marry me. 

So, on December 22, 2016 I woke up at 6am just as I do every morning and got ready for work. While I was at work that day Collin had text me a few "out of the normal" text messages. When I called him at lunch, I could tell he was outside (he said he was playing with the dogs, which he never does in the middle of the winter). I told a few of my co-workers that I was pretty sure he was up to something and I thought he was going to propose that night... I didnt know how, but I knew it was going to happen. 

When I got home from work he blindfolded me and made me go and change. It was at this point that I knew for sure what was going to happen. We then ate supper (Marco's Pizza- my favorite) and he proceeded to make me go on a scavenger hunt for what he said were my Christmas presents. I played along with his little game and found all of my presents. We then opened the gifts that we had got for each other, but I knew he wasnt done. Once all the presents were open he went and found one more. It was one last scavenger hunt clue. This lead me to a locked box. Once opened, inside was a remote for our Christmas lights. 

I stepped outside into our back yard and turned on the lights. Written in lights on our back fence was "Marry Me?" I immidately teared up as I looked at Collin and he was down on one knee. How could I not say YES?

He had put so much effort into planning everything and making sure the day was perfect. I am beyond blessed and excited for this next step in our lives and can not wait to see what God has is store for us as we become husband and wife. 

I remember waking up the morning of December 22nd, gave Amber her kiss before she went off to work, laid my head back down on the bed, and thought to myself "It's time, I can't wait any longer". I got out of bed and started my planning. I wanted it to be special, different, unqiue, and something she would remember forever.

I started by going to Ace Hardware and buying a lot of nails and Christmas lights. This would be how I would finally ask the question. I went outside and started planning out just how I would space out "Marry Me?" on our back fence. I measured and nailed, strung the lights and the cords, plugged it in, and it didn't work.... It took me three different times before I figured out how to get the lights just the way I wanted. While I was outside, Amber called and I was out of breath so she could tell something was up. I tried telling her I was outside playing with the dogs (on December 22nd in South Dakota, the temp was about 20 degrees...). I thought she may have bought my excuse but it turns out, she didn't.

After getting the lights up, I wanted to set up a scavenger hunt around the house with clues to where her presents were. I'm not really sure why I did this. I think because I like scavenger hunts myself so figured, why not? Each card and gift location had something unique about our house that we do, use, or spend time at. After getting the cards done, I began calling some people to let them know. First my brothers, then my dad, then my mom. I waited to call Amber's mom last at 5:45pm because I knew she wouldn't be able to drive to Sioux Falls in time for the proposal. I didn't want her driving late. Everyone was very excited to hear that I was finally doing it! It only made me more nervous...

I told Amber's sister when she got home from work. I asked if she would help out by taking pictures of the proposal from our bedroom porch just above where I was going to ask her. I think she started getting a little nervous too. After having Amber complete the scavenger hunt, I pulled out the last gift that directed her to go outside with a switch for the lights to turn on. She went outside, hit the switch, and turned around to see me on my knee with the ring in my hand asking to marry me. She started crying and forgot to say yes right away so I had to ask a 2nd time while she was giving me a hug. It was the perfect end to a very long day!!