From the moment I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Brittnay I started contemplating how I would propose.  We both wanted the proposal to be memorable and unique, but most important to me was that it showed her just how much she meant to me.

I considered doing a flash mob with a full dance team.  I thought about doing a scavenger hunt that would take her to places and events that are special to us.  I thought about flying her to an exotic location.  You name it, I probably considered it, but nothing felt quite right.  Thankfully fate stepped in.

Brittnay’s favorite band is Rascal Flatts.  I had also been a fan of theirs and when they announced they were coming to KC on their Rhythm & Roots tour we decided to go.  While purchasing tickets I noticed they had a VIP ticket option which included a private acoustical performance with the band, so I picked up a pair.

In the days leading up to the event I received a communication from the host of the event who worked for the band.  That’s really when it hit me, that here was an opportunity to propose in a way she would never forget.  So I sent the host back an email letting him know what I wanted to do and asking for his help to make that happen.  Then I had to just sit back and wait.

I finally heard back on the day of the show.  They’d agreed and we were all set.  That’s about when the nerves started.  When we reached the event space where the private performance was to be it was all I could do to keep those nerves in check.  I didn’t want to give anything away and was desperately trying to keep the ring box in my pocket hidden.

When we found our spot at a table right next to the stage the host came over and introduced himself.  He let us know that the band would be taking some questions from the audience and asked if we’d like to submit any.  I urged Brittnay to submit one.  She wanted to know where they band got it’s name.

After an entertaining sound check that helped get the small crowd warmed up the band finally came out.  They greeted everyone and then let everyone know they were going right into the questions.  Gary LeVox held a small metal bucket that housed all the questions submitted by attendees. He pulled out the first question and began to read.

“Brittnay,” he said.

I could see the excitement in her face.  He had pulled her question first.

He continued. “James.  Where’s James?”

Now she was really puzzled.  She hadn’t written anything about me in her question.  I raised my hand.

“Why don’t you both come up here,” he requested.

We both walked up to the front of the stage.  By this time Brittnay was starting to figure out what’s happening.

“I think you had something you wanted to say,” he said to me as he passed me the mic.

At this point the nerves were in full gear.  I didn’t want to mess this up.  A thousand words were spinning in my head all the while trying to pull the ring from my pocket and trying not to drop the microphone.

I told Brittnay that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and then got down on one knee.  I opened the ring box revealing the engagement ring and asked, “Will you marry me?”

She replied, “yes.”

I quickly stood, removing the ring, and slid it on her finger.  The crowd cheered and the band congratulated us.

When we got back to our table, I realized in all my nerves I had forgotten to ask anyone to take pictures or record the proposal.  Thankfully, Brittnay had left her phone on the table and a lady standing with us grabbed the phone and took several quick shots.  All night long we kept getting stopped by people who were at the pre-show event who wanted to congratulate us.  One had brought a professional camera with him and had taken several pictures.  He agreed to email them to us.  They are the pictures of us you see above.

We will never forget the night she said, “yes,” and are looking forward to June 3rd, 2017, the day we both get to say, “I do.”