I can’t even believe I’m typing this. Like what the actual heck?! AH!! June 20, 2022, Chip got down on one knee and asked me to be his WIFE! He also asked me why I was crying, but that’s besides the point. It was the most magical day of my life full of so many emotions. I truly am so lucky to be loved by him and so many others who made this day so special for me. So, let’s get into the details of my proposal story. AH!

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 – Spent the whole day with my best friend, Julia who had stayed at my apartment the night before. We explored around Richmond and had the best time! I knew she had been planning with Chip about the proposal, so obviously I was asking her all the questions. (Back story – I did know that Chip had the ring since May, and it was driving me crazy that he was waiting so long! I also knew that I was getting Alfie, my puppy! That had been in the works since he was born on April 26th.)

Throughout the day with Julia, she was dropping little hints here and there and trying to calm my nerves about the whole thing. Chip was leaving that Friday for his Army Annual Training and would be gone for 2 weeks. So, obviously I was getting a little worried he wasn’t going to do it before he left. She did assure me it was happening that week and told me to wear whatever I wanted to be in for picture every single day. “Wake up, get picture ready, and put on that dress every single morning.”

We got dinner with a few friends that night and then off she went “back to Harrisonburg for work.” ….. She actually just went a mile down the road and stayed with one of our friends!

MONDAY, JUNE 20 – Puppy day!! And also ring day!! I was scheduled to go pick up Alfie at 11 a.m. My mom came down from Fredericksburg to go with me and help make sure he was settled at home. We pick him, bring him home, and have the best time playing with him for a little bit! Chip woke up early, he had worked the night before meaning he got home at 7 a.m. and woke up around 11. I was SO surprised he was up so early and came over just to see the puppy so soon. He gets there and within 10 minutes my mom is leaving to “run some errands.” I thought it was so strange that she was just out the door so quickly after he arrived.

I had changed into some sweat shorts and was asking Chip to help me take some pictures of Alfie and I. Obviously I wanted to post right away about him considering I had posted a story earlier that morning telling everyone it was the “most exciting day of my life.” LOL Alfie had been put in his crate because he was so sleepy, and randomly, we had been talking about taking the trash out, so Chip kept pushing me to take the trash out. As we were walking out the door, Chip says, “Wait, put your jean shorts back on.” Me: “Umm to take out the trash??” Chip: “Just, just put them back on.”

This is the moment it hit me. It was happening!

I picked up my dress I wanted to wear and said, “WAIT do I need to put this on?!”

Chip: “Do whatever you think you need to do.”

So I threw on my jean shorts, said forget it, and touched up my hair and makeup. We drove over to the other side of neighborhood to throw the trash away then came back hahah Chip was pretty adamant about going for a walk, so I knew it was about to happen.

There is a beautiful little lake in my neighborhood that I walk around almost everyday. Little did I know that special trail that had been my little safe space and given me lots of peace, would also be the spot to bring me so much joy on one of the happiest days of my life.

ONE MONTH PRIOR – MAY – Chip texted Julia one night asking for a bit of help on the proposal. Obviously she said yes. All throughout May they went back and forth on where to do it, when to do it, how to do it, etc etc. With lots of help from others as well, they finally made a plan.

MONDAY, JUNE 20 – Julia, her mom Cathylee, Reid, and Carrie, arrived at the lake while I was out picking up Alfie. Mrs. Cathylee had hand cut every single one of these hydrangeas from their bay house, and drove all the way to RVA to deliver them and help set up this beautiful display. Apparently they were there that morning for 4 hours setting up and waiting for me. All while Chip was texting her, “She’s wearing gm shorts” “She keeps asking me to take pictures of her and the dog” “I can’t get her out of the house” ….

Okay, back to going on a walk after taking the trash out HA. As soon as we step on the trail, I see someone jump behind a tree. It’s happening. It’s really happening! We walk up, rose petals on the trail, my bff Julia and Carrie taking photos, and the moment I had been dreaming of for as long as I can remember was actually happening. To be honest, from that point on, it was a blur, but I loved every second of it.

As we walked up to the flowers, all I could do was hug him. The tears started FLOWING and that’s when he asked me, “What are you crying for?” He pulled out the ring box from his pocket, I literally have NO idea how I didn’t see it because it definitely wasn’t small, and he knelt down to one knee. All I could do was cover my face because I couldn’t believe it was finally happening!!! He opened the box to my DREAM RING and I said, “YES! OF COURSE I WILL!!!”

I seriously could not be more thankful for each and every one of these amazing people who made this day SO special. A dream come true. I actually still feel like I’m living in the dream!!

Chip Sturek, I love you with my WHOLE HEART. I can’t wait to be your wifey <3

All photos are from the most goreogous, Julia Weaver Photography, and Carrie Chang Photography.

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