Waking up in Maui, Hawaii definatley has its perks...

Going for your 30th birthday with your closest friends, Mom, and boyfriend was also a trip to remember. 

I woke up freaking out to my friend, Liz, that Kevin was never going to propose. Boy was I wrong! After reassuring me that everything was going to be OK, we went shopping at 6AM (because what else do we do together, lol)

Day goes by and as a group we head to breakfast at my favorite place, The Gazebo. While part of our group waited in line, the rest of us hung out by the ocean to take in it's beauty. Then there's me, on my phone, trolling Facebook. 

Little did I know, Kevin had a plan.

Hearing my friends insist on taking a picture, I finally looked up but not to what I expected. In front of me was Kevin, standing there with a ring box and the BIGGEST grin on his face. 

I DIED. And after tearing up and mumbling incoherent words, he stands next to me and holds me close while looking out at the ocean. Thru his tears and laughs, he shared with me how much he loves me, and how his life had changed because of me. Realizing this was a real moment, and that I had been silly that moring, I said YES, freaked out, lost my breath, and jumped up and down. In the background we heard screams of joy and applause, and a million pictures were taken. My poor Mom didn't see this moment coming either, and ran over to share in the excitment. 

Best. Day. Ever.

I knew what my main goal was in Maui. I had a ring that Stephanie's best friend Liz helped point out to me, so I knew she would love it. I had comfort in already knowing she'd say yes (Stephanie liked to talk about weddings, OUR wedding). But I still had the question of WHEN and WHERE was I going to do it. I knew I would know where when I saw it, but I still wanted it private. 

As we approached the shore by her favorite restaurant, I knew this was the place. Liz, Kayla and Catherine being privy to the proposal ahead of time, and would help me as needed. Liz and Kayla tried to help me get her off her phone, to get her out on the rocks below the crowd's line of sight, but Stephanie was being... well... Stephanie. She didn't want to budge, she didn't want to dirty her shoes, she was busy. Plenty of excuses. 

I thought maybe it wasn't the time. Maybe I'll try later. Liz and Kayla did not let me back out. "Do it now!" was quietly growled at me. So I took a deep breath, put on tunnel view to ignore the crowd, and headed over with ring in hand. 

I wish I could tell you how it went, but you can watch the video... or look at her finger... they both tell the same story