Great Proposals

You may have always imagined how your proposal would be, but you never really know until your soon-to-be fiancée is on one knee. Local brides share stories of when they said “yes.”

Viva Las Vegas
“Last July, eight close girl friends and I traveled to Las Vegas. It was one of the girl’s birthdays, so we decided to dress up and go out to eat. As we were passing the Fountains of Bellagio, my friends decided to stop and wait for the next show.

I had no idea at the time, but Caleb had arrived in Vegas at 10 that morning and was standing on the other side of the fountain. He text-messaged my friend Mary, who started crying. Just as I asked her why she was crying, Caleb stepped out from behind a group of nearby trees and got on one knee. I couldn’t even look at him because I was crying so hard. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Kelly Dirks, Wichita
Engaged to Caleb Perrine on July 7, 2007

An Easter Hunt
“I went to school in Texas, and Jon went to Kansas State. We were high school sweethearts and had dated for five and a half years, but we rarely saw each other. It was Easter weekend, and my grandma was turning 75. My family was traveling to celebrate her birthday and I asked Jon to join us, but he said he had plans with his family in Kansas City.

I woke up on Good Friday to hear the phone ringing. Jon was on the other line. He told me he’d accidentally left a CD in my car, so I went outside to find an envelope on the window. The envelope held a clue and a disposable camera. Little did I know this was the first hint in an elaborate scavenger hunt.

The clue led me to Barnes & Noble, where I found a thick bridal magazine that held another hint that led me to a jewelry store. At the store, a clerk handed me an envelope with a charm bracelet Jon had given me the previous Christmas and a ring box. Next, I went to a bridal shop, where my gift was a garter. This clue led me to a flower shop with a huge bouquet of my favorite flower, daisies. Finally, I ended up at my church.

I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and Jon was standing out front in a full suit. I was so excited to see him. He led me into the chapel, down the aisle, past pews filled with photos of us. It was like a walk down memory lane. Along the way, he told me how his love for me had grown. When we got to the end of the aisle we faced each other, and he said all of these wonderful things that made me love him even more. I had no idea what the ring looked like until he slipped it on my finger. I didn’t know it, but my entire family was hiding at the back of the church, and they popped out to congratulate us and to celebrate. It was kind of a long process for the proposal, but it was so much fun!”

Denise Brensing, Overland Park, Kansas
Married to Jonathan McCully on May 19, 2007

Scuba Surprise
“We were on a trip to the British Virgin Islands. At the time, we were spending a week living on a boat and scuba diving. We’re both scuba divers–that’s actually how we met, when I was taking scuba lessons.
On the second or third day, we stopped at Cooper Beach, where it’s said that you can see the world’s most beautiful sunsets. We pulled ashore and walked on the beach. Nathan lent his camera to a friend, who was sitting on a nearby lawn chair and pretending to take pictures.

Out of the blue, Nathan dropped to one knee. ‘Shannon, I want to make you the happiest woman for the rest of your life,’ he said. ‘Will you marry me?’ Of course, I said yes. At that moment, his friend snapped a photo of the proposal, with palm trees and kayakers in the background. Needless to say, that moment made the trip.”

Shannon Flock, Wichita
Engaged to Nathan Reilly on August 4, 2007