I keep starting to write this post, but I don’t know how to fully encompass how incredible this was. It was the sweetest moment of my life.
Jon and I are both very big planners which works really well for us. We are also both big talkers and share every detail of our lives with each other. That being said, it is very hard to surprise one another. We have talked about getting married for a while, and always wanted to wait until I graduated college and found a job to engaged. I graduated in December of 2019, and my plans fell into line from there… and then the pandemic hit and turned my world upside down. Jon held my hand while I got back on my feet, and was the best partner I could ask for. While I certainly didn’t dream of being a “Corona Bride” (who would?), I knew I didn’t want to spend any more time not being his wife.
Like I have said, I am a planner. I was ready. He knew I was ready, my family knew I was ready, my friends knew I was ready… the barista at my favorite Starbucks probably knew I was ready. STILL he managed to surprise me!
We both really wanted a break from our houses since we were spending all our time in them, and decided to take a long weekend trip to Savannah, Georgia. Neither of us had ever been before, but a lot of our family had been and we were confident that we could enjoy the beach and tour the town while still complying with CDC guidelines and keep ourselves safe.
We drove to Savannah on a Thursday, and were leaving that Sunday. Jon suggested we go to the beach on Thursday night and Saturday to break it up a bit. I didn’t question this at all, because like I said, we plan everything. I’m not going to say that I didn’t think Jon was going to propose on our trip, but I really didn’t want to get my hopes up and be bummed if it didn’t happen.
So on Thursday night, we went to Tybee Island. It was so beautiful and Tybee is a such a cute coastal town. I was so excited to be there and be in the ocean that I let my guard down and got stung by a jellyfish. For the first time in my life. On my left hand. The night before I unknowingly would be proposed to. Genuinely, only me would this happen to. We went by a drugstore, got some Benadryl cream, and went back to our Airbnb in Savannah for the night.
That night, Jon kept talking about getting up early and getting a head start on the day. I on the other hand, kept insisting that we enjoy our first full day by sleeping in. Besides, Jon had already told me that the bakery I wanted to hit first thing didn’t open until 10 AM! Big mistake, Jon!
Friday morning rolled around, and I woke up pretty early, but I was still insistent on staying in bed. By 8 AM Jon was completely ready for the day, and I was watching John Mulaney clips on YouTube in my pajamas. Jon kept saying, “Can we please get up and enjoy the day?” And I kept insisting that I was enjoying the day from my bed. I could tell Jon was getting anxious to get going, but again, Jon is the punctual one that keeps us on schedule. It was not unlike him to want us to get moving with the day. Finally, Jon said, “Can you please be ready by 8:45 so we can have a good day?” I was still completely clueless. I jumped back with, “What, do we have a meeting or something?” He said, “No. I just want us to have a good day.” Liar! I got up and was ready by 8:45.
Our Airbnb was right beside Forsyth Park, and to get to downtown you really had to walk the perimeter of the park. I remember grabbing his hand and it was freezing cold, questioning it, and him assuring me that it was because of how cold I had the AC on in the Airbnb. Liar!
We turned the corner at the far end of the park near the fountain. Jon said something like, “Let’s go check out the park.” As we approached the beautiful, white fountain with the shady trees hanging over the sidewalk I saw a photographer taking pictures of the fountain to my right. Jon walked me toward the fountain, stopped right in front of it, said the sweetest words I’ve ever heard, and asked me to marry him. I said, “YES!!!!!!” through my tears and Jon put the most beautiful ring on my hand. I put everything together and realized the photographer was there for us! Wendy with AptB Photography was absolutely incredible and captured the moment so perfectly. She took pictures of us afterward that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
There was truly no one around but the two of us and Wendy. Once she left, we sat on the bench where it happened and took the moment in. Almost instantly a crowd of walkers with dogs, tourists, and two big landscaping work trucks pulled right in to the fountain. I am so glad that Jon asked me to be ready by 8:45 AM!
We immediately went back to the Airbnb and called our parents and siblings to tell them the good news. I feel so blessed to be joining a family that I already adore, and adding Jon to my family where he fits in great. I’m going to be Mrs. Peytyn Wheeler y’all!!!!
xoxo
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