Our Love Story

From the Bride... I know everyone wants the "IG perfect proposal", filled with flowers, candles, petals, perfect dresses, drama, pictures, video, etc. etc.I know I planned weddings and proposals for 15 years.I know I'm a girly-girl.I know I'm on social media and network a ton.One could easily assume I would want all of those things listed above.So, who could blame Matthew Farnie for thinking that very thing? However, Matt is a bit of a perfectionist.["a bit of a perfectionist" definition: extreme perfectionist who refuses to do anything until he first knows with roughly 99% certainty.]He does not often make a move on anything until he has thoroughly vetted the situation! Everything has to be perfect and the best! Our engagement was no different.So, when we went on a cruise back in March, he waits until we are having some drinks and fun to ask "So I have a question. What is in your mind when it comes to a proposal? You have planned people's proposals before and it's intimidating. What are you picturing?"I would never dream of telling him how to do this but he got out of me that I wanted privacy. Complete and utter privacy!"What? Privacy?"He had planned this whole thing that he was going to plan a trip back to see my family, get everyone together, and propose with all of them there.Noooooooo. I asked him to PLEASE not have a single soul around. No pictures. No videos. No nothing. Zilch.Completely baffled, he takes it in and moves onto the next plan. He told me he wanted it to be perfect and special for me (so sweet).Ok...ACTUAL STORY:He starts planning another trip. I shared with him though that traveling the world is something I want to do with my future husband. I have had MANY chances to travel the world and have turned ALL of them down because this was something I am only saving for my marriage. I already broke that rule to go on the cruise because he was down and needed cheering up, but that I could not continue to do that, even for him. We would have to go somewhere within the USA. We already knew we wanted to get married, but I decided for myself to actually BE married to do that and we did not have a ring on my finger, so it was a hard no. We fussed back and forth, and I stood my ground...no trip to the Virgin Islands unless I'm with my future husband.  He went into a bunch of stuff I did not understand, round and round in circles for weeks. Big no on my end. He asked me to PLEASE just trust him. Even though he was not making sense, and he respected me and understood, but asked me to just trust him. Knowing I planned to marry him, and knowing he did respect me and had proven that over the years, I trusted him and decided to go. He had a LOT on his shoulders lately, way too much, and I thought he just desperately needed the distraction of the trip.  So, we go.  We had a blast! We are a super chill couple, and we also love adventure! Like LOOOOVE adventure.  Towards the middle/end of the trip, we were having fun at the beach watching the airplanes come and go. We went to brave the blast of one and he talked me into going straight to the roughest part! I clung to him for dear life as the sand whipped our butts and the blast nearly blew me away! LOL! I thought it was funny prior, so I actually started a video and had him hold it. He did...the entire time...it's hilarious. It was painful! Covered in sand, we went to go relax in the sun and to listen to music.  Next, he rented a motorbike, and we went up into the mountains to see the countryside! IT was absolutely breathtaking! We saw the most stunning views, got tangled up on a property that was very drug lord-esk, hiked a few places, and chased the sun! B-L-A-S-T! Hands-down it was my version of a perfect day. We found the most gorgeous view I had ever seen at one point. I thought Matt would want to stay there for a moment. There were some people around watching the same views, he wanted to hop back on the bike and keep going. I was sad to leave that spot but followed my love further into the mountain.  We went until the road stopped. We started to walk from there.  It was at this point that I assumed my handsome man WAS indeed as stressed as I thought prior to the trip, and I thought he had officially lost it. This whole time I was in a little bikini, sandals, and sheer waste wrap. Not suitable hiking attire. Being adventurous though I kept going as far as I could. We get into the brush. THE BRUSH, people! (Pictured below). He went on ahead of me to check and see how far we go. At this point I videoed him just kind of laughing about the craziness and wanting to remember it forever, per the usual.  He comes back and says to follow him. I remembered I had a tank top in my bag so at least I had that for a bit of added protection. Praying no snakes jumped out to bite me, I trusted this man and followed him into the unknown. We get to a spot that overlooks part of the villages below. Quickly take a pic, then he rushes us off again back into the brush.  Laughing, still videoing...becoming concerned...I start to bring up to him that may be this is not the best idea? LOL! I understood he was seemingly deep in thought and a little bothered, but a little pausing was perhaps in order since I was not at ALL dressed for the occasion. Nope! On we go. Matt silent. He just grabs my hand, and we keep going.  It was a LOT of fun.  Onto the next adventure. He takes us back to that gorgeous spot I was loving before. the sun at this point was absolute perfection.   We pull over. No one is there this time. He tells me we can stay here. He gets our towels and his bag. He folded up the towels and laid them out. I picked them up and spread them out flat for more ground coverage so we could relax and watch the sunset. He picks them back up and folds them. Oooookay? It's whatever. I can deal. Apparently, he needed some butt cushion.  The bag? Totally unnecessary. He had that bag with him all day and all of our stuff was in it to travel around and be in the sun, but we really did not need it just to watch a sunset, so I moved it. HE moves it back. I've learned to just go with it when he's stressed so I did. He was so quiet I genuinely thought he was just in deep thought over other things and not really thinking.  He stands up to watch the sunset. Why? So silly, we had he towels. I sit us down and place myself between his knees to lay back. It was SO peaceful and truly the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. We were watching the sun set at the top of "Pic Paradis" (which means Paradise Peak). It is the highest point in a chain of mountains in the collectivity of France on the island of St. Marteen, Virgin Islands.  Then he tells me he can't get a picture of the sunset sitting down. Matt? Take a picture? Matt doesn't take pictures of sunsets, lol. He also doesn't need me to stand to do that. But ok, we stand up. I was so focused on the beauty of it I wasn't really paying close attention. He drops his phone. Gives a "oops" and goes to pick it up. He sounded odd saying it. No, I did not turn around, lol! You've guessed it by now, but I was still completely oblivious to the intentionality of it all as I genuinely thought he was just stressed.  He pulls me gently to turn me around at exactly the moment the sun sets and sweetly asks me to marry him. He had timed it all out perfectly.  AWWWWW!!!!! In shock, I look around, there's no one! It's THE most private place ever. "You tricked me!" I got that out barely before pushing his hand and the ring out of the way. Teared up and still baffled, I got down and hugged him. It was so sweet. It was PERFECT!!!!  Also I had forgotten to say yes! "Well?" He looks at the ring and box still in his hand. HAHAHAHAHA!!! Oops! "Yes!" THAT is why he needed the towels folded up...knee cushion. That's why he needed the bag. He said he had been moving the ring around over and over the hole week. Every time he moved it, I seemed to need something in or near where he had put it. LMBO!  My sweetheart had found the most special place he could find. A place he deemed good enough for me (so loving), it was private. Prior when we got there, remember there were people. This was why we left, and he went searching for another place. That spot through the bush? The sun was not setting on that side. Hence the concern and rushing.  Of all things, HE then says "shouldn't we take a picture? I was still so shocked that it didn't even cross my mind. When does "save this memory forever" ever not cross my mind?  THIS was why he needed me to just trust him. There was nowhere in the US that was special enough to propose...in true Matt-fashion, it had to be the best. It had to be perfect. It had to be exactly what I asked for, but x's 100.  After this we stayed until the sun was all the way down and headed back down the mountain to a beautiful little restaurant. We had a wonderful night, and I will remember this for the rest of my life.  All of the adventure, all of the silly fun, all of the laughs, his great effort and attention to detail, his loving words... on and on.  The next day we had so much fun! He even let me take over driving the jet ski! HE hung on for dear life laughing and I stood up channeling my inner Moana. Yes...I drove it too hard and fast, and he didn't hang on tight enough, and he went flying off the back, but we didn't wreck, and we had a blast! HAHAHA!  Matt can be a very cautious individual. I can be a very "LET'S DO THIS!" adventurous little lady. He keeps me grounded and I help him soar the sky. Together we will find balance, love, laughter, and adventure for a lifetime. Together we will grow and learn. Whether we are heading straight and building a life or jumping into the sunshine and dancing to every beautiful song, one thing is for sure, this is my person.