It had been over 5 years since we first met. We had always wanted to get married at some point after purchasing our first home and the surprise was something I wanted to really get right. There is little we don't talk about; we're each other's best friends as much as we are soulmates. That comes with a handy ability to read each other almost effortlessly and needless to say, I had not been able to secure a surprise in a while.

Before deciding where I would propose, I already had an idea of the perfect ring that truly symbolizes everything about us: the Claddagh Ring; a ring encompassing love, loyalty, and friendship. The two hands represent friendship, a heart symbolizes love and the crown on top is for loyalty. I knew it had to be a Claddagh Ring and to top it off with her favorite gem, a ruby. After searching for a year and finally being able to have a house we can call our own, I would not wait another year to ask for her hand. The next step was almost just as important, where I would propose.

It did not even cross my mind one moment that I would ever propose in Colorado or Florida. We're adventures and the memories we make are like treasures we keep forever. With a trip to New Orleans around the corner, the timing couldn't be better.
With the ring in my bag and my heart in my hand, I was beyond ready for our new adventure and to come back engaged to my best friend.

The exact spot in New Orleans was hard to find, so many beautiful places but only one would be perfect. Neither of us enjoys an audience, so it had to be secluded but it had to be somewhere special. The botanical gardens of New Orleans called to me as our spot. And after a brisk walk through what seemed like a maze of foliage in a secret stone garden, away from everyone, I found the spot where I would ask her to marry me. We went to take a picture on a bench and as she set the timer my heart pounded. With 5 seconds left on the camera, I got to one knee and asked the love of my life to be my wife.