Things were pretty quiet on the blog front last week. I actually think that may have been the longest I didn’t blog in the history of The Dainty Squid. Jeff and I took a short vacation, I did a poor job planning content then immediately came home and got a gnarly cold. So, if you don’t follow me on Instagram you may have missed the big news. Uh, THAT happened. (Check out the announcement + ca-yoot photo here!) Needless to say, It’s been a whirlwind week!
Let’s throw it back three years. Jeff and I had been dating two and a half months when we decided to take our first trip together. We flew into Denver, Colorado, rented a car and drove around six states including Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, and New Mexico. We spent two nights in a hotel, one night in a wigwam, and the other three in the car. In the six days we were on the road we racked up a whopping 3,204 miles. It was the most incredible trip of my life at the time. We had so much fun and really bonded that week. It’s a massive piece of our relationship.
Each year since we’ve taken a similar trip – flying into the cheapest city out West and just driving! It’s something we’re both wildly passionate about and something we talk about endlessly. We flew into Los Angeles back in April of this year for our “4th annual road trip” but as always, as soon as landing in Cleveland, one of us was mumbling about wanting to go back. I figured our big trips for the year were done, that maybe we’d take a small trip somewhere before the end of the year but certainly wasn’t expecting to be heading out on the road again like that any time soon.
Then one day, all of a sudden, we were planning a second trip. A bit shorter than our previous ones but it didn’t matter to me. I was just excited to get out again, and explore somewhere new. For this trip we flew into Denver, Colorado and promptly made our way into Utah where we’re wandered around kind of aimlessly for two full days. Utah is just… a hidden treasure. Truly one of the most underrated states but more on that another day! I have lots of posts from this trip coming in the next few weeks, promise!
On that very first trip in 2014 our first stop was a little old ghost town in Cisco, Utah. We had landed in Denver in the evening, grabbed our rental, and started heading toward Utah immediately. We stopped at a rest area, caught some z’s and started driving again slightly before sunrise. Once we got moving again I opened the Roadside America app and found that there was a ghost town coming up. The timing would get us there right at sunrise. Well, Cisco ended up being the most incredible start to our trip. I wrote this post about it, where I rambled on about how special of a stop and trip it was to me.
Since we flew into Denver this time, and we were heading into Utah, Cisco was once again on our map. I was super stoked to revisit, re-shoot, and just revel in this place that I had built up in my mind so much since the last time I was there. After eating the best BBQ of my life, we arrived in our beloved ghost town right at sunset. The timing could not have been more perfect. I was a little bit stressed we’d get there after dark but considering what was about to happen next, I’m sure Jeff was even more stressed.
The second he put the car in park, I dashed out of the car and started running toward a building I want to shoot. When we’re short on time Jeff and I usually head our seperate ways to get the shots we want instead of wandering around together. After a few minutes he joins me and asks if I want to get a shot of the two of us together. On the plane I had the brilliant idea that we’d take a nice photo together in each ghost town we visited on the trip since Utah is just littered with them and they were going to be our main stops. So, I thought nothing of it. I was just glad he remembered because I was so excited it hadn’t crossed my mind to slow down a second for a photo together.
Sidenote here – Look at that cloud! IT IS GOSH DARN RAINBOW. That cloud was in the sky as we were about to pull into Cisco. We both freaked out. Neither of us had ever seen anything like that. It’s apparently called cloud iridescence. Little did I know that fifteen minutes later I’d be getting proposed to. How’s that for some cheesy rom-com material?!
I take direction as he tries to line me up for the shot, he runs over to join me, and immediately kisses me. I’m thinking “Oh, Okay? This isn’t really the shot I had in mind but cool.” Then before I know it he’s on one knee and I’m ugly crying. I don’t remember anything that he said, I just remember looking at the ring and nodding my head ethusiastically. It was such a blur. I was shaking like a leaf and just wanted to hug him forever, it felt like the only way I could stand up. Then he’s like “By the way, I got that on video!” and I sob some more.
As much as I’m into super non-traditional wedding stuff, something that was really important to me was that Jeff ask my dad’s permission. I was a bit worried that he didn’t have the chance because my dad was actually in the hospital the week before we left on this trip. Jeff revealed that he had taken a half day off work and visited my dad in the hospital to ask. This made me cry so hard I nearly threw up. Y’all I was already a cry baby but this last week I’ve been a wreck. I didn’t think it’d effect me this much!
So yeah, the man of my dreams asked me to marry him at one of our favorite spots in the entire world. It’s definitely not everyone’s picture of a romantic location but there isn’t anywhere that could be more ~us~. I am so happy and so damn excited to have a lifetime of adventures with this sweet man. It’s been just over a week and I basically haven’t stopped crying or looking at the shiny new addition to my ring finger yet. Life is good.
94 comments
Oh my gosh, Kaylah! That video made me cry! So beautiful and lovely and I’m so happy for the both of you.
Thank you so much, Lotta!
The video! Genius man of yours. Congratulations, you guys are awesome!
Hah! Thanks! 🙂
Very happy for you! Congrats!
Thanks, Jodie! 🙂
Ahh what a great story! Congratulations! What a beautiful/unique setting (and ring!)!
Also, not to be totally distracted, but what is that nail color? It’s perfect!
Thank you, Kaitlin!
I’m not sure off the top of my head but it’s Sally Hansen in the square-ish bottle.
So incredibly sweet. I love that you guys got engaged here! It would be my ideal spot as well!
Congratulations Kaylah! xoxox
Thanks, Kato! 🙂
This is so cute! You guys are adorable. I love when people get engaged at quirky places. My husband proposed to me at the drive-in and it was perfect. (I actually wanted to get married at the same drive-in but they’re not open in November! Ah well.) I hope you have a lot of fun planning your wedding and your life together! Yay! ❤️
Aw, so sweet! Thank you, Crystal! 🙂
Now I’m crying too!! That video was so sweet! Congratulations!!!
Hehe! Thanks, Ruth! 🙂
Congratulations! That all sounds so romantic and wonderful! Also, that ring is GORGEOUS.
Thank you, Jill! 🙂
This is the most lovely engagement story! I’m so happy for both of you!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Congratulations! It’s so sweet that he set up a video for the surprise. Best wishes to the two of you as you continue your adventures together.
Thank you so much, Alice! 🙂
Gah! This is so exciting!! Congratulations!
Thank you, Elissa! 🙂
Congrats! That video is so wonderful
Thank you!! 🙂
Oh my gosh, I freaking love that video – & how wonderful that he got it on video in the middle of nowhere. CONGRATS, you two!
Thanks, Kate!! 🙂
I didn’t tear up. I didn’t watch that a few times and feel stupidly happy for you both……. 😬
LOL
Congratulations!!!!!!! I’m so excited and happy for you both!!! What a cool spot for a proposal! I hope you are both wildly happy for the rest of your lives!! ♥♥♥
Thank you so much, Amber!!! 🙂
Love it! This post made me so happy. Congratulations 🙂
Awwww. 🙂
I AM SO HAPPY FOR Y’ALL. Best wishes to you both. Beautiful ring 🙂
A day without Kayla is like a day without sunshine!
Thank you, Bonnie! 🙂
This almost made me cry, it’s so sweet and amazing! Congratulations!!
Aw, thank you! 🙂
I’m so happy for you! It’s such a fun story too. I hope you guys have many more exciting trips to come. 💖
Thank you so much, Jess! 🙂
Congratulations to you both!!! So exciting!
Thanks, Jess!
Congrats! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!
Thanks, Jeannie! 🙂
So happy for you! I’m also now a blubbering wreck – beautiful story 😀
Hehe! Thank you so much, Katie!
A billion congrats – you guys are the best <3
Thank you, Allie!!! 🙂
Congratulations and best wishes!! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
SO CUTE! Congrats! What a beautiful setting (especially the magic cloud!). So excited for you both.
Thank you so much, Hannah!
This is so wonderful!!! I won’t lie, I may have scrolled down to the video first before reading the whole post… I’m so happy for you both <3
Hehe! Thank you!! 🙂
I am SO OVER THE MOON excited for you guys. I watched the video and it kept stopping and I’m sitting in my store yelling “STOP BUFFERING!!!!!!!” Like, Jeff’s hand is in his pocket and it just STOPS I was like GAH!!!!!!!!
So much congratulations for 2 people so in love.
Hahah!
Thank you, Kristina!!! 🙂
I’m so excited for you guys!!!! Congratulations!!!
Thank you!!! 🙂
Eeee! Congrats! I love engagement stories like this when it is just SO suited to the couple. I love that you also have that moment captured forever!!
Thank you so much, Natalie! 🙂
Congratulations! There is something about a man who gets it right! My fiancé, as of August 29, also had the proposal videotaped, asked at a memorable place and even asked my dad first. I cried so hard at that one too! Thank you for bringing all those good memories to the forefront! I love your story and wish you two years of happiness!
Thank you so much, Lisa! 🙂
Congrats on your engagement.
Oh, and I love your ring! It is unique and looks great on you!
Thank you so much, Lisa! 🙂
Such a lovely story! Huge congrats!
Thanks, Kait! 🙂
Congratulations Kaylah and Jeff!! I’ve been keeping up with your blog since I was at school – I have since been through college and university – and it’s wonderful to see you both SO happy! What an absolutely beautiful story, and I’m so glad to hear that life is good <3
Thank you so much, Sian! 🙂
I’ve been following your blog for awhile and wanted to wish you: Congratulations! This is amazing!
thank you, Megan! 🙂
So romantic! best to you both, always!
thank you, johnna! 🙂
Aww, that’s such a lovely story! Congratulations!! Very happy for you!
Thank you, Amanda! 🙂
[…] Cisco, Utah at sunset. This was taken just minutes after Jeff proposed. (You can read about that here, in case you missed it.) I still can’t believe this whole trip was […]
What an awesome story and that video! I teared up! Congratulations all around, so, SO happy for you two! xo
Thank you!! 🙂
I’m so incredibly happy for both of you. He sure is a keeper!! I hope you long continue to blog about your life and adventures in your new life as a married couple. Regards from Nottingham in the UK.
Thank you so much, Lesley! 🙂
This was SO freaking cute! And the location is perfect! I love places that are unique to the couple as opposed to being “classically romantic”. My fiance proposed to me a few months ago at an electrical box on the side of the road about a mile from our house because it was a geocaching spot we couldn’t figure out months before. So, weird spot but perfect for us. I’m so happy for you, been reading your blog for like 10 years now and you seem so happy. Congrats!
Awww, that is so sweet!!! 😀
[…] post about the trip. Our road trips out west are my absolute favorite thing in the world. This one, for obvious reasons, will always hold a special place in my heart. Posting about it has been my little way of reliving […]
So cute 🙂
🙂
aww! this is so adorable! so happy for you Kaylah 🙂
Thanks so much! 🙂
[…] more wedding posts under the ‘wedding‘ tag! I’m particularly fond of our engagement story, not that I’m biased or […]
[…] a no-brainer. We’ve spent the most time in Arizona, California and New Mexico but aside from Cisco, UT where he proposed there was only one other spot that we loved as fiercely – Two Guns, Arizona. I had always […]
[…] found here, quickly became my most popular post –EVER. It still reigns number one, even after getting engaged. Wild! The response was overwhelmingly awesome. I was already over the moon with the results but […]
[…] In case you’d like to see more photos or read more about our wedding, check out this post. You can find our engagement story here. […]
[…] engagement story / Cisco, UT ▴ Antelope Island ▴ Eureka Cemetery ▴ ghost town – Silver City, UT ▴ ghost town – […]
[…] engagement story / Cisco, UT ▴ Antelope Island ▴ Eureka Cemetery ▴ ghost town – Silver City, UT ▴ ghost town – […]
[…] engagement story / Cisco, UT ▴ Antelope Island ▴ Eureka Cemetery ▴ ghost town – Silver City, […]
[…] engagement story / Cisco, UT ▴ Antelope Island ▴ Eureka […]