Heres the story of how we were engaged, according to John:

 

           After saving for quite a while, I finally bought a Zales Octillion diamond. I had a master plan of asking Jenny to marry me in a beautiful mountainous area. My grandparents friends, Ray and Waneta, had just the spot right outside of Redfeathers, Colorado. I then asked my good friend Nick to help devise a plan, but we needed a chance to scope out the area. At the second to last Saturday in July, I had openly planned to take a trip up to the mountains, with some friends, for some hiking and a bar-b-q picnic.

 

The Friday before, I called in sick to work and took my friend Nick up to the spot. I originally envisioned a white chalk sign off in the distance that spelled out marry me, but after checking out the area, it was decided that a sign made from sticks hung over a rock above would be more practical. Nick and I gathered the sticks from the property and then went to my grandparents house to construct the sign. The stage was set; I hardly slept that night as I went over my little poem.

 

I invited many friends, but as to not blow my cover, I didnt tell them the purpose for the picnic. Only Nick, his girlfriend Andie, and Jennys roommate Amy were going to the picnic. I made a last minute call to my good friend Rob to see if he would be willing to accompany the group to the mountains. He finally agreed, once I told him of my plans.

 

When we arrived, Ray and Waneta were there, but they said they would be leaving shortly. After they left, we sat around talking and cooking food, waiting for the right moment to get everything in motion. I asked Jenny to accompany me on a short hike, away from the area where the rest of the group was setting up the sign. I finally walked Jenny around to the spot that I had planned. I was so nervous on the way up, I stopped often because I was short of breath. When we finally got to the big flat rock with a splendid view, I told Jenny I had something to say. I read her my poem as the sun was setting and then got down on one knee and asked her to marry me as I pointed to the sign that Nick and Andie had lowered. She was in tears when she said yes. I then slipped the ring on her finger and sealed it with a kiss. The whole time Rob was on a nearby rock taking pictures of the special moment. We all watched the sun set, with very beautiful mountain-tops in the foreground, then headed down to the picnic area to enjoy a well deserved meal.

 

Thank you Nick, Andie, Rob and Amy for your help in making a wonderful memory.