Every time Vicky saw the commercial for a new seahorse exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the 5-year-old in her would get excited. She really wanted to see it. Igor felt the same, and said it would be a great opportunity to get away for the weekend. After numerous failed attempts to plan the trip, the two decided to take Monday off from work and head out there on Sunday.

Their trip began with a nice breakfast before they headed out on the 17-mile drive, a private road along the coast with 17 stopping points along the way. Igor was planning to propose to Vicky on that road, but, unfortunately, they weren’t allowed to enter the road due to a car convention. So Igor switched to plan B.

The following day they spent the rest of the afternoon out and about, wine tasting, window shopping and taking pictures.That evening they went to a nice restaurant. Post entree and pre-dessert, they both picked up their wine glasses as Igor started a toast.Vicky wasn’t too surprised as he frequently toasted whenever they had a nice dinner alone, so she was half listening and half dreaming about that soufflé that was taking oh-so-long to get there.

Suddenly,Vicky saw him rifling in his jacket, and the next thing she knew he was holding an engagement ring! With eyes popping out of her head, she kept repeating,“Oh,my god! Oh,my god!” She couldn’t hear nor remember a word of what he said, and to this day they playfully argue about whether or not he specifically asked her to marry him.When they got back to the hotel, Igor said he didn’t have his key card and told her to use hers. As she opened the door, rose petals covered the room. It may have taken him 18 years, but it was definitely worth the wait!

As for the seahorses? They went first thing the following morning. Despite the new sparkling distraction on her left hand, they headed over to the aquarium, and it was absolutely amazing!

Photography credit: Choco Studio