The Proposal

Austin: I had a lot of ideas about how I wanted to propose to Caitlin. I knew a couple months into our relationship that she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with but we wanted let it develop a bit more before taking that step. Over the past few months I planned several scenarios and proposal ideas in my mind; it was just a matter of timing and location. Proposing in Vermont was actually one of the last things I expected to do but after some thought and prayer I realized it was the direction that made the most sense.

The idea was sensible in the practical areas. I had purchased her ring at a local store in Vermont and the thought of trying to travel back to Wisconsin with an engagement ring was a bit frightening. I've had enough bad luck with the airlines over the years to give me a healthy trepidation of taking anything delicate or expensive with me when I travel. Caitlin's ring is the most expensive and important thing I've ever purchased and I didn't want to take any chances on losing or damaging it. I also didn't know when we would see each other again and proposing sooner rather than later just seemed natural. I decided that I would plan to propose the first weekend in May, but only if the opportunity arose and seemed right. It needed to be a special and private moment instead of something rushed and thrown together. I want nothing but the best for her and this step was no different.

After having dinner with her parents and being blessed with her father's approval, it was just a matter of time and I knew that Sunday afternoon would probably be my best bet. After church Caitlin suggested going for a walk on a nature trail that she's visited many times. I really liked this idea and knew that the beautiful Vermont scenery would provide some picturesque spots in which to propose. This did make things somewhat unpredictable because I didn't know the area and couldn't really plan anything ahead of time. I simply had to trust my instincts and pray that the right opportunity would present itself. I carefully packed the ring in my pocket and hoped it wasn't obvious, considering the box created a painfully obvious lump in the right-hand pocket of my pants.

Throughout the walk there were several places that I thought might make a nice proposal area. However, something just didn't feel quite right about them. I wanted two main things when proposing to Caitlin:

1.) A meaningful and lovely spot
2.) Quiet and privacy so it could be just the two of us

Many of the areas on the trail satisfied the first condition but not the second. We encountered several people while we were walking and I didn't want to run the risk of asking the woman I love to marry me and having someone interrupt the moment. For a while I began to think that the chance wouldn't arrive and I might have to scramble to piece something together or risk waiting and trying to get the ring home. Then Caitlin mentioned a waterfall that she used to walk to and asked if I wanted to go there. It sounded nice and more like what I had envisioned earlier in the day.

Despite showing some signs of hurricane and flood damage, the scene was peaceful and quiet and secluded just as I had hoped. We were able to walk out on the rocks in the middle of the water and suddenly I knew that was the moment to pop the question. Everything about the scene felt right and I was finally able to ask Caitlin to marry me.



I left that waterfall with sand in my shoes, a ring on my ringer, and a smile on my face. It wasn't the romantic and carefully planned day I had originally envisioned, but in the end she said yes and that's what truly matters to me.

Caitlin: It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we had just gotten out of church. It was a really special day for us too because it was the first time we were able to share communion at the same church.

Since it was so nice out I had suggested going for a walk along the nature trails nearby.

So we had a nice adventure, walking around the lake and across a bridges where we stopped to sit and enjoy the scenery.

We stopped to watch a glider and talked for a bit about how faith can be like that. It's a simple example of how we have no power of our own and rely on God to get us off the ground.

We looked at the areas where nature was still recovering from Hurricane Irene and he asked if there were any other nice places nearby. I thought of a small waterfall with nature trails and a swimming hole that is frequented by locals.

We got to the waterfall and climbed down the sand bank along the side. The rocks down below are great for sitting on and watching the waterfall so we jumped across to the middle and sat down.

A little bit into talking about the local hiking trails, Austin turned to me and said "So, I have a very important question for you Miss Stark."  I didn't realize he was proposing and asked him if he wanted a frozen coke. He told me "Maybe later."

Then he stood up and got down on one knee on the rocks and asked me if I would marry him.
My answer of course was "Yes!"

All I Want Is You-The Story of His Ring

Caitlin: I first started looking for a ring back in February because I had thought it would be nice to surprise him and found the Esty Shop of Rickson. I immediately knew that a song ring was perfect for Austin because of his love of music.

I had asked her to put the song All I Want is You by U2 on the ring. I was pretty sure he'd love it because the notes on the ring aren't just decorative, they're actually the song you request.

Rickson has a Youtube playlist for songs rings and you can click here to see all the rings she has made, including his.

The inscription says "All I Want Is You"

Austin: This ring was definitely a pleasant and unexpected surprise, one that was made all the more impressive by the attention to detail and the inclusion of U2's "All I Want Is You", a very special and personal song that I wanted to dedicate to Caitlin. One thing that instantly struck me was the accuracy of the actual notes on the outside of the ring. From the eighth note rest and the ties and slurs connecting the notes together, it perfectly syncs up with the lyrics, "When all I want is you", which is inscribed on the inside of the band.

I can confirm this because I own a book that features musical notation to much of the band's discography and the ring is an EXACT replica of the actual sheet music. A picture can't do the ring justice; it needs to be seen up close in person to truly appreciate the exquisite detail and subtle touches that make it, without a doubt, the nicest gift anyone has ever given me.