Surprise Proposal at Hume Lake!

This was quite possibly one of my greatest joys I’ve ever experienced. A full circle story for the books. Matthew was the bible boy at my own wedding 17 years ago. His mom mentored me. His dad mentored Nick. All of his brothers came through our old youth department in HB. We have spent countless hours with the Gane family as we considered them (and still do!) as family. So when you Matthew called me while I was hiking in Breckenridge last month, you can imagine my surprise. I was in a store with friends so I didn’t pick up. When I got a second to listen to the voicemail, I knew. “Hi Becky. It’s Matt. I need to ask you something very important. Call me.” When I called him back, he said he had a surprise proposal at Hume Lake in store for MacKenzie, and the planning began….

Nick and I had to pretend like we needed some new images on our site for emotive imagery. We concocted the plan with the help of Matt’s parents, Jim & Tomoko. My heart rate is literally ticking up just thinking about it. The stress of it all! No joke – Nick and I practiced in our cabin for like, 45 minutes the night before it was about to go down.

As the plan went, the next day, Nick (in front of Matt and MacKenzie): “Oh hey babe (taps me on the arm, MacKenzie doesn’t pay attention) “OH HEY BABE! (she looks up)… These two would be perfect for your website! Weren’t you just saying that you guys needed a new couple to practice your new cues on, and you wanted beautiful scenery? Hey Matt, Kinz, would you guys be able to help us out(lies)? I run Beck’s site (lies) and it’d really help us out if you could let her and Rach practice some cues to get emotional images! (lies)”

Matthew: (Blue steel) “What time?”

MacKinzie: “I’m nervous!”

Me: “Don’t be nervous – I’m the one who’s nervous since these cues are so new for me!” (lies, but totally telling the truth about the nervous part)

Nick: “Gosh you guys are the best; thanks for helping us out!”

MacKinzie: “Ok would Friday be best since I’ll be dressed up for the pictures with the students anyways and my hair will be done?”

Me: “Yes MacKenzie. That would be amazing.” (She walked right into it!)

The next afternoon went off without a hitch. We started with a couple easy cues, and then asked them if we could get some individual images for the site as well. “Ladies first Matt.” (wink wink!) I asked Mackenzie to turn her shoulder towards the camera – away from Matt – and to look up at the trees so we could catch the light in her eyes. (Aaaaand Matt open his fanny pack and gets THE BOX). Check out the following images for the rest of their story…