It’s been a few weeks since our last newsletter, and part of that has been due to how busy life has been—but honestly, an even bigger reason is that I got engaged!
Two weeks ago, Freddy (my now fiancé), Amanda and I took a trip to Vail, Colorado, and that’s where it happened! Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been soaking up the excitement of being engaged, celebrating with our friends and family, and enjoying every moment. Now, I’m so excited to share the details of this special day with you all.
The Backstory
Freddy and I met back at Ohio State in 2018, and from the start, he would always talk about how much he loved Vail and how special it was to him. For years, I had told him how much I wanted to visit, but the trip just hadn’t happened yet. A few months ago, I suggested a winter getaway to Vail—and he quickly agreed, secretly knowing it would be the perfect place to propose.
The day we arrived in Vail, it was just the two of us. Freddy gave me the tour of Vail Village, showing me his favorite spots, the charming stores, and the breathtaking slopes. Amanda was supposedly meeting us at the ice skating rink later that afternoon after her flight landed, so we had some time to explore and grab lunch. Freddy then suggested we head across the street to a restaurant for Aperol Spritzes. Little did I know, this was just a way to buy time while the photographer got ready for the proposal.
The Proposal
The whole morning felt like a dream, and I quickly understood why Freddy had always wanted for me to experience Vail. After we finished our drinks, he mentioned wanting to show me one last place—his favorite spot in the village. As we walked, he began sharing sentimental stories and special moments. I started to suspect something might be happening, but I wasn’t convinced—after all, Amanda wasn’t there yet.
When we arrived at the spot, he told me to turn around to see the beautiful view. As I turned back around, there he was—down on one knee, asking me to marry him. It was the most beautiful, emotional, and special moment of my entire life.
Afterward, we called our families, sharing the exciting news. Freddy surprised me again by telling me the photographer was ready to take photos of us to capture the moment. In the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but think about Amanda and how she had just missed the proposal. I asked Freddy if we could call her to share the news, and he smiled and said, “Lo, she’s known about this for months and has been in Vail all morning, waiting for this to happen.” Just as he said that, Amanda came walking down the path toward us. We both completely lost it. It was such a beautiful and unforgettable moment to have her there.
After taking photos, we returned to the hotel, where Amanda had planned another surprise—an “engaged” cake, the most perfect bridal gifts, and a bottle of champagne sent up by my best friend. We celebrated, called more family and friends, and later had dinner at The Slope Room (if you’re ever in Vail, I highly recommend it!). Freddy and Amanda shared all the behind-the-scenes details of how they had been planning this day for months. I still get emotional thinking about how perfect everything was.
The Weekend of Celebrations
The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying Colorado and celebrating with family and one of our best friends. We stayed present, soaking up every moment with the people we love. It truly was an unforgettable weekend. Heading back to Charlotte, I was filled with so much happiness, but I couldn’t help but feel a little sad that the weekend had come to an end.
What’s Next
Now that we’ve had time to enjoy this special moment, we’re looking forward to the next chapter: wedding planning! We’re planning to start early so we can relax in the months leading up to the big day.
We’re so excited to share this journey with all of you, and we’d love to hear your tips or stories about what made your wedding day special. Feel free to share on our Instagram or TikTok!
Here’s to new beginnings!
XX,
Lauren
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