The Proposal
It took place in Maui, Hawaii while Gregg and I were vacationing there. Gregg and I had discussed the different activities that we wanted to partake in, and we were both super excited to go on a sunset whale-watching/snorkeling expedition. Gregg, who is really good and enjoys doing all the research, took care of all the planning. So I knew for awhile that Friday, January 14 at 2 p.m. was going to be the sunset boat trip.
On the day of the boat trip, when we got to the 60 foot catamaran, the captain greeted us and asked us to wait on the dock. He loaded all the equipment onto the boat and then told us we needed to wait for the rest of the tour group to show up. He told us to wait by another couple who arrived early and he would call us when ready! We introduced ourselves to the other couple, and about 10 minutes later we were asked to come on board. The captain then went through all the safety instructions and at the end said, “Well, today is your lucky day because the group of 15 that we were waiting for has just canceled, so you have this whole boat to yourselves.” I thought, “How lucky are we?!” A boat for 20 for just the four of us to enjoy.”
So, we headed out to sea. We saw the whales miles and miles away and I was trying to capture all that I saw on my little digital Elph camera. There was such a delay that I was missing all the action. I was bummed that I wouldn’t be able to properly portray what we were seeing and savor it in our photos. Gregg told me to put the camera down and just appreciate the moment because if I worried about the camera I would be letting the moment pass by. When I looked over at the other couple I saw that they came prepared. They each had two digital SLR cameras with different lens options. I was so jealous and told Gregg to take a look; they really came prepared. Gregg said he would buddy up to them and ask if they would share some of their images with us if we exchanged email addresses. The couple happily said yes and offered to take pictures of us.
About 45 minutes out in the sea, the Captain announced that the hors d’oeuvres would start being served. Gregg and I were sitting next to each other, and they came to me first with a cheese plate. On the cheese plate I saw a black velvet ring box. But I really was so not expecting this! I thought maybe they had made a mistake and brought the ring box to me instead of the other couple as they weren’t wearing any rings either. I was so confused. I thought, “Should I pretend like I don’t see the ring box and take the cheese or look at Gregg and see his face?” I was frozen in shock! Then I looked over at the other couple and saw their camera lenses in our faces. Gregg took the ring box off the tray and opened the box, got down on one knee and proposed. To my utter surprise, the ring and proposal was for me. And on top of that, I found out that Gregg had hired the other couple as professional photographers. He wanted them to capture the entire moment and the rest of the afternoon on camera (there was never a group of 15 coming; Gregg chartered the entire boat and planned everything to a T).
The Engagement Ring
Leo Ingwer Inc. designed my ring. Gregg has called it a “promise ring,” and my dad, Kenny Ingwer, helped make it. After Gregg picked out the yellow citrine (my birthstone), had it cut to his specific liking and picked out the style of the ring, my father made his wish a reality. Now that we are back from vacation, Gregg and my dad are working on making my diamond engagement ring together.
