Going into proposing to Casey, we had always chatted about certain things we would want out of a proposal/engagement/wedding, etc., such as “I would love to be proposed to outside,” or “I would love to get engaged during the spring!”

Our anniversary is on January 13, so we like having date nights on the 13th day of any month we’re able to make it happen. I had decided in October that I wanted to propose to Casey, so as I began thinking of how I wanted to do it and when. I saw that May 13th was going to be on a Saturday and thought that would be the perfect date! It’s on the 13th, it’s during the spring time and Casey will have zero idea that it’s coming because I made her think our “engagement time frame” wouldn’t be for another 1.5+ years.

So for the proposal itself, we were in Kansas City for Mother’s Day weekend (so she thought), but planned to get all dressed up and have a picnic at Loose Park as a fun, cute anniversary date. Casey and I left for Loose Park around noon that day and spent the entire day there. Literally, we were there until 5:30. This was because behind the scenes I had her family and my family setting up for an engagement party to be had directly after the proposal; one with our entire family, all of our closest friends, and even two of Casey’s best friends who made the trip from Texas.

Around 5 o’clock the time finally came to propose, so I gave her my speech, got down on my knee, and popped the question! Casey immediately started ugly crying in disbelief – had no idea what was happening and didn’t believe it because she was in such shock, but eventually said YES! (OK, maybe I just started putting the ring on anyways before getting an official answer).

We got a couple of pictures, packed everything up, then headed back to her house. Casey knew my family would be there, but had NO IDEA what she was walking into with a surprise party of 40-50 people. It was so fun and such a surprise to celebrate with all of our loved ones. She was especially in awe when she saw her Texas friends pop out and surprise her! The best part was, everyone was in disbelief that we spent five hours at the park but to Casey and I it felt like maybe an hour had gone by. Proposal or no proposal it genuinely was just the best day ever… though it was definitely better with the proposal included.

From the marrier, Whitney