Weddingbee Blog

I think our proposal story was so “us.” It was absolutely perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing. That being said, I don’t think I’ve ever gone through so many emotions in one day. Scared, nervous, happy, angry, annoyed, anxious, shocked, ecstatic, embarrassed, and finally tired and exhausted. It was a long day and a long story. But I’ll try not to make it too long.

Mr. Castle and I spent Christmas of 2010 with our families in California. We had a lovely Christmas and we had plans to spend New Year’s with Mr. Castle’s sister in Flagstaff, Arizona. On New Year’s Eve sister Castle, who is a teacher, said she had papers to grade the next day and we could take her car and go somewhere if we wanted. Mr. Castle immediately said, “I’d like to go to the Grand Canyon.” To which I thought, “OK, that’s random…” We had already been to the Grand Canyon together three years earlier when we first started dating. In my mind it wasn’t the ideal day trip. It was very cold and there had just been a huge snowstorm. I was super nervous about driving conditions and the roads being icy. We are from California and not used to driving in the snow. My anxiety level shot up at the thought of going. But I decided I didn’t want to be a baby and ruin our trip, so I agreed to go.

I was really nervous the whole drive but calmed down when we arrived. The canyon was beautiful covered in snow, and I was actually glad we made the trip. We got out, took the usual photos, used the bathroom, and got back in the car. Jeff said he wanted to drive farther into the canyon to show me where his sister’s wedding took place. I said OK but asked how much time we had; we were meeting everyone for dinner at a certain time and I HATE being late. Mr. Castle said we should leave by 3:00 and it was about 2:15. I thought, OK, we have time.

Our first few photos at the canyon

As we made our way down the road it got more icy…so I started getting nervous again. Then we passed a park ranger who stopped our car to tell us someone slid off the road and we were the last car they were letting through before closing the road so they could tow the car out. I looked at the clock and it was now 2:30. I think, we might not be able to turn around and head back if the road is closed…I tried to remain calm.

At 2:45 we still had not found the location of his sister’s wedding, and I felt that we were driving aimlessly. I was super annoyed because Mr. Castle is usually really good about knowing where he is going, but clearly he had no clue. We had also seen two cars that had slid off the icy road, so I was still super nervous. I was wondering why Mr. Castle wanted to come to the Grand Canyon when we were out of the car a total of 10 minutes… As time rolled on, I was getting REALLY annoyed. We were still driving farther into the canyon and it was now 3:00. Mr. Castle said we would drive five minutes longer then turn around. I got moody and told him how he is ALWAYS late, especially with his family. He was totally calm as he said, “I know, you’re right” and turned around. After he turned around we stopped a couple times on pull-outs off the road. He asked me to walk off the path with him a bit, but I was not in the mood. We were late, and I didn’t want to get close to the edge of the canyon when it was icy and covered in snow. I was wearing tennis shoes, not hiking boots. So every time he asked me to follow him off the path I would say, “I’m not going over there,” or just flat out “no.” He finally said, “Fine, let’s just go.” I felt bad because I could tell he was upset, so I tried my best to calm myself down.

We were both silent in the car as we drove to leave the canyon. Right before the exit there was a turnoff for parking and the beginning of little trails leading along the edge of the canyon. Mr. Castle said in an excited voice, “Oooh, I want to go there!” I was thinking, we already took pictures—what more could you want? AND we’re late. So in the most bratty way I got out of the car and walked slowly behind him. He said we would walk for five minutes and then head back. I was trying really hard not to ruin our Grand Canyon trip with my grumpiness, but I was struggling. What was the point in us coming? Why was Mr. Castle always late? Why did we get out of the car again!? He asked me again to venture off the path and I said, “I’m sorry, but no—I do NOT want to go off the path.” I could tell he was frustrated. He then asked me to just step to the other side of the path—not close to the edge, just off the path. I finally did as he asked, and I was pretty pissed about it…

He then said, “Oh, I just thought of a song that I want you to listen to as you take in the grandeur of the canyon,” and I thought, oh Mr. Castle is such a nerd but OK whatever… So he gave me his iPhone, I put headphones in my ears, and he started “the song.”

I heard a telephone ring and then I heard my mom’s voice. I didn’t really get it yet, so I looked at him and said, “You called my mom?” I’m embarrassed to say I said that in a mean, annoyed way. I was listening to their conversation, and then it hit me what was happening. He was asking my mom for her permission to marry me! I started crying, she was crying on the phone with him…and then I started shaking. And then I started getting nervous for what was going to happen next…

The telephone ring came on again and now he was talking to my dad! My dad can be a pretty intimidating guy. I was shocked and elated that Mr. Castle had called him. There was a pretty significant pause between Mr. Castle asking my dad and my dad’s response…but my dad (finally) said it was our decision and of course Mr. Castle had his blessing. He added that he already fit in with our family.

Even listening to their conversations I didn’t actually think he was going to propose. I thought, he’s just showing me that he asked my parents and the proposal is coming sometime soon. But then he pulled out a box! And there was a ring! I was shaking and crying. He got down on one knee and said, “Miss Castle, will you marry me?” and I somehow managed to say, “Oh my God, yes, oh my God…”

We hugged, kissed, took pictures, cried, and laughed about my bad mood and how we had both almost ruined it. I had absolutely NO idea that it was coming. I thought I was going to have to pull teeth to get him to propose someday. But it was perfect, even the fact that I was so mad at him two seconds before. I think it makes for a better story that way.

Right after the proposal.

Our proposal spot

Anyone else almost ruin their proposal like I did?

All photos are personal.