Going up to Resevoir Lake in Montana each summer has been a tradition in Rainey's family ever since her great grandparents first went there on their honeymoon. This was about 74 years ago. But, this year, Danny had the chance to attend the family's gathering and make it that more special. He would have made Rainey's granparents very proud!

On the second day of the trip, the family group took a hike up to a mountain lake tucked away into the mountains called Dark Horse. The hike was pretty tough and at one point, they even encountered a black bear. But once they reached the small mountain town about half a mile before the lake, Danny wanted to go look at the abandoned mine shaft that was slightly in the opposite direction. Rainey refused and she just wanted to go to the lake. But, little did she know, Danny was trying to buy time so that her parents could set up the engagement the way he wanted it to be. After exploring the abandoned mineshaft, they started their trek to the lake.

At the beginning of the hike, there was a note that said "Take One." Rainey thought it was weird but continued on till she found a note stating "You're beautiful!" Danny exclaimed that it must have been a random act of kindness. Rainey, being as gullible as she is, actually believed it. They continued along the path picking up notes every few feet. It wasn't until after reading the note that said "You fill my life with laughter and love" that she thought maybe there was more to this because that would have been really weird for a random stranger to say to her. When they came around the corner just before the lake, there was a wooden cross with red roses draped across it. Rainey instantly started crying and knew that the time had come. 

She read the letter that Danny had placed at the cross and when she turned around, Danny was on is knee and popped the question! The rest of the family came down from hiding in the trees to congratulate them and spend some time celebrating. Overall, it was a magical and romantic time for the both of the and the beginning of their chapter as an engaged couple!

I, as the groom, had had plans to ask Rainey to marry me months prior in December. My plan was that when we both flew back to her parent's house for Thanks giving, I would ask her parent for their blessing but my appendix had other plans. Long story short I ended up in the hospital for the majority of the trip so it never felt like the right time. Bearing through months of patience and constant badgering from Rainey on the logistics and timing of our future marriage I formulated plan B. A couple weeks in to working for her father, I asked her dad for permission and we began planning how it will be done. Needless to say her parents were a tremendous help and very discreet through the whole thing, Rainey never truly caught on at all. Well the pestering didn't stop and only seemed to intensify the further into our stay in Idaho. At one point I had to make up a story about plans for maybe the following year. Of course Rainey was fairly upset at the notion, which only made things much more difficult. I've never had a more difficult time containing a surprise in all my life. It was all worth it in the end and I couldn't have asked for things to come together more smoothly when they did during the actual proposal. I am very excited to see what adventures are in store for us as we pursue love for one another in this life God has provided for us.