December 23, 2023
PROPOSAL LOCATION:
Davenport, IA
PROPOSAL STORY:
We first met in college, at the University of Northern Iowa, almost 10 years ago. What began as a friendship developed over the course of several years into a love that resulted in our engagement on December 23, 2023. After months of Michael plotting, together with Kyle's mom, the proposal would happen over the Christmas holiday, when Michael and Kyle were visiting her parent's home in Davenport, Iowa.
Kyle was hoping an engagement might happen on New Year's Eve back in Colorado, where they live. However, Michael had set up a surprise engagement, under the guise of family pictures, going as far as writing down the "photo shoot" on Kyle's grandpa's calendar. While waiting to gather for the "family photo shoot", Michael and Kyle arrived at an outdoor park in Davenport, close to where Kyle grew up. The park was all lit up and decorated beautifully for the holidays. When they got out of the car in the chilly weather, Kyle was looking around for her family and began texting family members, inquiring why they weren't there yet. They all claimed they were running late!
Meanwhile, Michael had hired a photographer and they had discussed where in the park he would wait. But the photographer changed the plans of where he was going to be stationed to capture the moment Michael was set to bring the engagement ring out of his pocket. Out of the corner of his eye, Michael captured a glimpse of the photographer, running across the parking lot, to a different location than where Michael was headed. Michael got nervous and dropped down on his knee right then, and proposed to Kyle!
Needless to say, the photographer captured many wonderful pictures, after the fact! However, other people who had actually met at the park for family pictures paused what they were doing and took pictures of Michael proposing to Kyle. So, random strangers captured their engagement photos, but not their own photographer! And after the proposal at the park, Kyle's family were gathered for a surprise engagement party in Davenport, where many family pictures then happened!
THE RING:
14K Oval Diamond by Classique Creations
WEDDING DATE:
April 26, 2025
WEDDING LOCATION:
Des Moines, IA (halfway between Michael's hometown of Sioux City and Kyle's hometown of Davenport)
