I was certain he was going to ask the weekend we went to Mandeville. We went to Fontainebleu State Park. We kept setting up his Go-Pro and my Nikon on their tripods and taking photos. After walking around for a while he surprised me with a picnic! We had cheese and wine and the Go-Pro was set up looking right at us the whole time. THEN some magical deer comes running out of the woods and nearly jumps over us. Not kidding. But he never asked! Naturally, I was a little disappointed. We ended the weekend by going to our favorite brewery, Abita Brewing, and having brunch the next morning at a really cute restaurant in Mandeville.

The next Friday he asked me to take off work early. I knew something was up because he NEVER does that. I went home early and waited on him, as usual. He picked me up and told me we were going to Jungle Gardens – 45 minutes away. I was wondering why he didn’t just pick me up from work because that would have saved about 20 minutes! Nonetheless, to Jungle Gardens we went. He set up the Go-Pro, just like last time.

We walked around, just like last time. He ended up pulling out the picnic basket… just. like. last. time. y’all. So here I am feeling all the DejaVu. He told me I was in charge of the picnic blanket. Playing along, I went to lay the blanket down. When I turned around he was holding a dozen red roses with the sweetest note. As I finished reading he was on one knee! He may have opened the ring box upside down but I said yes in an instant. *He wants me to clarify that he turned the ring box around after he “immediately” realized it was upside down.*

After all of this, I called my mom to tell her about it and she seemed a little uninterested. That was a little weird, but I knew I was going to see her soon. She was coming to my house later that evening to stay with me before a race the next morning.

On the way home, still on cloud nine, I was ready to see my mom! Josh suggested we stop at Parish Brewing for a celebratory beer. I said no. He said come on! I said no again. He was insisting that it would be a quick stop so I finally gave in. As we pull up and park I see my mom’s car! She wasn’t uninterested at all; she was trying to drive and didn’t want me to hear the road noise! She knew all along! He invited my parents and some of his family to celebrate with us. It was the best surprise!

Vendors: