'Our' Little Hill Top

‘Our’ Little Hill Top

I spent the summer of ’05 working at the tube rental stand in a small resort town. Lazy days helping tourists pick out floating tubes, explaining river etiquette, rules and stressing caution to tourists and regulars alike and yes, doing what most 17 year old blonde girls do best – wearing flirty swim tops and working on the tan. By early August I had become good friends with a cute looking fella that worked for the City of Lava Hot Springs, younger than me by a year or so I was somewhat surprised when he asked me out on what I would term “a real date”. Quite honestly, I’m not sure which one of us was more surprised when I agreed to go, after all…. a younger man and from a rival school??? We laugh now when he relates the story of how he almost lost hope of any budding romance because I didn’t seem to favor him and his co-workers kept telling him how I shot down everyone who had asked me out all summer. “But then” he likes to say “I was across the way mowing the park grass and glanced over and Ah Ha!! There you were, leaning over the counter checking me out”. “AS IF!!!!” I always, “I was just making sure you didn’t miss any spots.” But yes, sigh, this picky girl will confess to being very attracted to one of the nicest gentleman she had ever had the pleasure of meeting. My suitor was always finding time to talk, bringing me cappuccino and cool drinks, pleasantly funny and good looking too. No denying it, I was definitely interested.

And thus our friendship grew and deeper feeling took root as we dated a time or two but I truly feel that love actually began to bud when he planned a picnic and we drove and hiked up to a place special to him commonly called Sheep Herders Bluff. A beautiful hilltop that overlooks all of Arbon Valley, breathtaking views of waving grass, distant trees and the constant murmur and flutter of birds, squirrels and fauna as the evening cool began to creep in. How memorable, how romantic and intuitive of him to know how much I would appreciate this above a busy restaurant where we would have to compete over the noise for conversation. I had hinted at just such an adventure but this quiet man I was fast falling for was the first of my acquaintance to take my suggestion, plan ahead and set the stage for one of the most romantic evenings I had ever experienced. I cannot fully explain what it is about that little hilltop that makes it magical, that evening and on subsequent visits over the next few years, the two of us could sit up there for hours laughing, talking, watching the wildlife or even hiking about we would come away feeling renewed and more in love with each other.

Fast forward almost three years to July 1st, 2008. I had since graduated from High School and was attending ISU summer classes full time and so was headed out early that morning as my schedule dictated. Imagine what a happy surprise upon opening my car door to discover a red checkered table cloth, pair of pretty wine glasses and a delightful card inviting me on a Fourth of July picnic. Now, most women might immediately become suspicious of so much ado over such an invitation but we need to keep mind that my gentleman was always planning special surprises so I took it in stride and with the happiest of hearts I accepted the invitation and fairly skipped through the next few days with the thought of a quiet afternoon of laughter and togetherness as an escape from the constant whirl wind our jobs and schooling had become.

The morning arrived and I met up with friends and my extended family for the annual Fourth of July Parade in Inkom. Laughter, cheering and candy chasing with my nieces as the parade passed by and as usual, I was not alone but was accompanied by the man I had grown to love. And finally, after the hugs goodbye to family, it was of no surprise to me that we found ourselves sitting amongst the waving grass and flowers on Sheep Herders Bluff, that little hilltop once again. It was a bit of a surprise, however, when he brought out a beautifully decorated picnic basket and set it atop the red checkered cloth I brought along and had just spread out over the grass to create a table of sorts. Reaching inside the darling basket, he began to set out all of our favorite snacking foods and even filled my wine glass with my very favorite.... diet coke! At this point I began to get a little suspicious of what was going on (my mind never made the jump to wedding proposal, we had both agreed we wanted to finish college first), but I figured it could all be just for the 4th of July holiday. After we both sat down to enjoy the wonderful food he had brought we laughed and joked like always and my suspicions disappeared. Sated and with the food put safely back in the basket, we stood together looking over the pictorial view offered by ‘our’ valley. I felt the now familiar peace settle over me as my senses drank in the enjoyment of such a glorious day. Reaching out for his hand, I turned around to discover him down on one knee.

With the ring in his hand, and me starting to tear up, this man, the one I loved asked me to marry him! He said that I was everything he had been looking for and that he couldn’t imagine life without me, and would I please be his wife! With tears of joy streaming down my face, my heart beating wildly in my breast I somehow gasped out that YES, I would. Oh my, my heart still pounds when I think of that moment. That wonderful man, he had picked out the ring of my dreams and I hadn’t a clue he was even looking for one. The proposal and the day couldn’t have been more perfect, and I couldn’t have been more surprised. I was floating on cloud nine as I called my mama to tell her the wonderful news.....turns out, she already knew. He had asked her permission long before he asked me. She said that was the hardest secret she ever had to keep. Later that day we continued with our plans and met with his family for the fireworks show in the same little resort town from which our journey had began. Much to my surprise, I soon realized that everybody had been in on this ‘not so secret’ secret. His mom, brother, and sister-in-law had all been in on the planning. My brother had found out by mistake when he spotted the jewelers sack tucked in my now fiancés tackle box when they were out fishing together the weekend before. My mama went on about what a tough job she had getting the big brother to promise not to say a word when he called her later that night. Anyone who knows my brother and my mom would appreciate how that conversation would have gone.

It was all so perfect! Just as I would have always wanted with our families just as excited as we were. Even after my spectacular day ended I was on cloud nine for weeks, and continue with all that excitement as we begin the plans for our special day! After three and a half years together.....I know I have found the man for me!