College was an interesting time in our lives. It was a time to really learn who we were as a person, what we wanted in life and what we didn’t want in life. A period of self-discovery and figuring out what we wanted to be as an adult.  Fate worked its magic and led us to one another….

 We met at Portland Community College in the Fitness Technology Program. The Fitness Department put together a luncheon and that’s when I realized Brent was in the program. He was in his second year and I was only in my first.  Earlier I recall seeing him around and I remember him teaching a co-op boot camp PE class that I happened to be in and I remember I was showing off my skills, proving his circuit was too easy for me. 

 The following semester he taught a co-op class as an assistant in Fitness Assessment I. When I saw him again I knew there was defiantly something about him that really drew me to him. I started looking forward to seeing him more and more. I knew since he was the assistant I would get to know him. The way I tell the story to Brent is that he just had some kind of magnetism that attracted my attention. He didn’t have to do anything special to impress me.  Also, to my surprise we both were taking the same yoga class, so the chances were even better for him to notice me.

 The assessment class was important and I needed to really understand the material, so after class, I would stay so I could get some extra help from Brent. I actually needed help on a few things. Usually, I would stay after class because it was my last class for the day and I had fun joking with Brent, giving him a hard time and flirting here and there. 

It took almost the whole semester before Brent caught on that I liked him. I almost asked him out on a date.  One day after the assessment class, enjoying each other’s company too much for it to end he invited me to another class he was assisting with so I did.  I didn’t want the opportunity to slip away.  I was hoping we would make plans to see each other outside of school. I really thought Brent was a great guy. Finally my hard work paid off, after class he asked me out so we went to the movies. Enjoying each others company and several dates later we became a couple…

We had been together a little over a year…

  It was my 23^rd birthday, September 16^th 2008.  I was persistent about doing something special and different from our everyday routine for my birthday.  We were barely making ends meat so it wasn’t too often that we actually did anything but stay in our apartment trying to save our money for bills and to get by.  I was a full-time student and worked part time at the Washington Square Mall.  Brent was working at the Oregon Zoo full-time trying to support us.

  I thought it would be a great idea to go to the Oregon coast for my birthday so that’s what we did. I expected the trip to be only a day so we began going through a few coastal towns.  We stopped in Newport and had clam chowder and a pint of beer at the Rouge Brewery.  Than after that we went to the Lincoln City outlet mall so I could get some chocolates and lotion because Bath and Body works was having a sale I couldn’t resist.From the time we’re at Newport to shopping in Lincoln City I felt Brent was on a time schedule I couldn’t quite understand.  So after shopping we headed to Seaside. 

  When we came to Seaside Brent had been saying he had to use the restroom since we left Lincoln City.  That was his excuse to pull into the Best Western parking lot to make me think he was going to use the restroom at the hotel.  I didn’t think it was ok to just use the restroom at the hotel but if you have to go.  I thought I might as well take a break myself so I got out too.  We walked through the doors and instead of heading to the restroom, Brent goes to the front desk and got a room key he reserved.  I didn’t think we had a reservation since we’re only staying for the day.  I had no idea that Brent packed us a bag to stay there for the night.  We took our bags to our room and spent the rest of the day in Seaside.  We walked around and took some old time western photos, bought me a hoody and swam in our hotel pool for a little while.  I still felt something was up, Brent was stalling for some reason.  After our swim we got ready to take a walk on the beach.  The sun was beautiful & bright, and it wouldn’t be long before it was dark.

  So we were walking on the beach.  I sensed something, that this would be a moment that would change both of our lives.  I wanted to goof around and play on the beach with my best friend but Brent was preparing in his mind the way things were going to happen.  Brent had figured out when the sun would set.  However, some clouds were moving in and I noticed it began to get dark.  He told me he wanted to be more serious.  Brent told me I was everything to him and how he couldn’t picture his life without me and then I knew, this was the speech, he was going to propose to me.  Brent was so nervous and his voice started to get meek and quiet down and he kept repeating himself as if he didn’t want to leave out anything important not realizing he already said it.  Next thing I knew he got down on one knee and pulled out a little white box out from his pocket, flips the lid open and showing me a gold solitaire and asks me if I will marry him.  I was going over the words that he asked in my head and I stood there maybe for the longest minute Brent says he has ever experienced and I was thinking of our future, thinking I sure hope Brent talked to my mom or at least my brother before asking me.  Standing there without any words to express, I finally told him yes.  Brent let out a sigh of relief, smiling we embraced and it had not soaked into me yet but I did notice it getting dark and a little chilly so we headed back to the hotel.  Brent packed us dress cloths to celebrate our engagement so we had dinner at the hotel restaurant and shared some champagne and enjoyed the moment.  We had conversation all that evening about everything from how Brent talked to my mom & John and my brother Michael to what things do we look forward to and how soon are we going to tell people.  Brent was a perfect gentleman and we stayed up to who knows when just talking about our life together.  The actual engagement didn’t faze me until the next morning we checked out of the hotel and headed home.  Then I texted everyone in my phone that I am engaged and getting married.

Driving East on I-90 from Post Falls

Take the US-95 N exit, EXIT 12, toward SANDPOINT/CANADA                                                                                0.3mi

Turn LEFT onto US-95 N                                                                         18.5mi

Turn RIGHT onto ID-54 E. Pass through 1 roundabout                     4.7mi

Turn RIGHT onto SOUTH RD                                                                    0.2mi

Turn RIGHT onto SUNRISE DAY-USE AREA                                             1.5mi

Farragut State Park13550 E. Hwy 54, Athol, ID 83801

Ann and I are registered at HoneymoonsbyAnneMarie.com for our honeymoon & Bed Bath & Beyond.  We like our choices at both registries but would prefer if you could help more with the honeymoon portion. For more information on places to stay, things to do before and after the wedding, churches to attend, honeymoon information please check out the blog.  Thanks.