The ride up from Laguna Niguel was hazy. Lindsey had a headache and was currently asleep in our rented minivan, mouth wide open, and snoring. Watching the clouds pour over the coastal mountains, I knew this wouldn't work. It was grey. It was cold. It wasn't perfect.
Then we made it to Santa Barbara and the clouds disappeared. It being Lindsey's birthday, I surprised her with three nights at the Four Seasons. We were both surprised when they upgraded us to a suite the size of a small European country (complete with gas fireplace and patio.) But everything was suddenly going as planned and it was time to man-up and get this started.
So we made our way to Butterfly Beach in front of our hotel and watched as the sun sank below the Pacific. (6:47pm ... a time indelibly marked into my brain as the time the sun sets in Santa Barbara on September 25th). Finally, I told Lindsey I had another birthday present for her, but this one was more dangerous.
The next part is a blur. I remember getting down on one knee. I remember unexpectedly tearing up. And I remember her saying yes ... which was probably most important.
And so, somewhere between 6:30 and 6:47 PST on Butterfly Beach outside Santa Barbara, Lindsey and I got engaged. And we have the photos to prove it...
And the surprise champagne and chocolate covered strawberries from Heidi were pretty amazing as well.
