Dan was a Man with a Plan in the eight months that led up to our actual engagement. Some time in late 2006, Dan decided that he wanted to propose. Knowing Dan as you all do, 'simple' just isn't in his vocabulary. Sure, he could have gone to a myriad of jewelry stores and found a suitable engagement ring, but that would have just been too simple. Nope, Dan decided to design his own engagement ring. Amidst all of the BIG IDEAS floating around in that man's head, he was able to pluck out of the abyss the most amazing idea/design for a ring. He did have help from Johnny, the talented jeweler, but for the most part, what's on my finger is truly a "Geppert Original." Perfection takes time -- 8 months to be exact!
(Background)
Each year for Dan's birthday, a whole group of us travels to Holland, MI to Dennis' for "Dan's Birthday Weekend Extravaganza." We spend time on the beach and around a bonfire, eating like kings and queens and enjoying the highlight of our summer. In July of 2007, our plans were no different from the summers before, and off we headed to Holland to celebrate Dan's birthday. Little did I know what was actually brewing.
We arrived in Holland later than expected. This was due to horrible traffic and my slow-poke driving. Our plan was to get out on the water in time to see the sunset from boater's beach. Dennis called earlier in the week to say that he wanted to make the most of Friday evening, (usually spent at his house), and get out on the boat.
In the end, we got to Holland about 45 minutes later than we were supposed to. We met up with the boat, already in the water, and headed out of the bay and into Lake Michigan. Three things became apparent: one, it was cold that evening; two, the sunset was already in progress; and three, the water was quite rough! Carrie and I hunkered down in a seat together as we braved the choppy waters, in an effort to keep each other warm. As we approached the mouth of the bay into the lake, the waves were making navigation rather challenging, and Captain Dave decided it was too much and began to turn the boat around and back into the bay. I was thinking 'phew,' on account of being cold and slightly sea-sick already (don't like the choppy water thanks to Montauk deep sea fishing nightmare), Dan was thinking 'phew' because the sun had started setting and there wasn't enough time to execute on his "plan." Dennis was thinking 'heck no!' Dennis' somehow became Mr. Secret Keeper amongst several friends/family members, and just couldn't handle all of the secrets he was trying to keep track of. He wanted Dan's secret out in the open as soon as possible, and cajoled Dave by asking him if he needed his little brother to take the wheel and drive. It worked, and Dave turned the boat back toward Lake Michigan, toward the choppy, cold waters.
I must admit my stomach sank a bit because I really just wanted to go back to the safety and
stability of land. Once we got out of the mouth of the bay and onto Lake Michigan, the water wasn't so bad. We threw away the idea of going to shore (Boater's Beach) for a bonfire, and decided instead to enjoy what remained of the sunset from right there on the boat. Darlene began opening yummy appetizers and a few bottles of wine. Being a bit nauseated and still cold, I passed on the eats from the inside of the seat I was sharing with Carrie.
Dennis and Dan began talking in secret, with Dan telling Dennis that he just wanted to wait for the next day due to missing the sunset. Dennis was having none of it, and shot this picture of Dan to show him exactly how the lighting would look in pictures. Dan took one look and agreed that now was the time. The only problem? I was on the inside of a chair I was sharing with Carrie. Not the most romantic way of proposing: "Excuse me Carrie, can you move over a sec?" Dennis to the rescue again, with a sudden "Everyone to the front of the boat for a picture."
Dennis being a photographer and all, this made sense. As all 8 of us made our way to the front of the boat, I noticed that the bow was sinking way too low in the water for comfort. I lingered back waiting to take my usual spot in front (I'm a shorty), but also thought this was a bad idea because of how much the boat was tipping.
As I was standing there facing the sinking bow, Dan yelled from behind me, "Hey Dennis, why don't we do the picture at the back of the boat so it doesn't sink?" Dennis agreed and announced "Everyone to the back of the boat," and again I lingered, waiting for the 7 others to file to the back so I could crouch down in front.
Suddenly Dennis came up to me and pointedly poked me in my chest, saying between his teeth: "Get to the back of the boat, BECCA!" I was thinking, okay, okay, GEEZ, and as I turned around, lo! what did I behold?????!!!!!
Dan, on bended knee, with the most amazing smile on his face, and the most amazing words on his lips: "...Rebecca, will you marry me?"
Since DanEcca's blog is technically about all things Dan and Rebecca, it's really only fitting for us to include an entry about Odie, our gigantic Golden Retriever.
