In May 2008, I finished my enlistment in the Navy. To celebrate, Dan and I decided to go on the mother of all road trips - 2 months, cross country, on a budget. We went from coast to coast, living in a tent or staying with friends the entire trip. On June 3rd, we were in Newport Beach, CA. Dan had been talking about watching the sunset over the ocean since we started planning the trip. Since it was chilly outside and overcast, I tried to talk him into watching the sunset another night but he insisted!

Out of nowhere he started his speech (I was so surprised I really don't remember it very well), dropped to one knee, and proposed with a seashell ring! Right after I said yes, his friend walked up and congratulated us - he'd been planning the proposal as long as we'd been planning the trip!