It was Father’s Day 2001.

My step-mom Deb was so excited to get to the lake that afternoon.

“We are surprising your dad with a sailboat for Father’s Day!” she said.

My dad loves to sail and I was excited to see his reaction to this Father’s day gift.

We piled in the car and headed to Grand Lake after lunch.

As we were walking down the pier, my step-mom smiled and said, “There’s the boat!”

I was confused. It wasn’t a sailboat. It was a large white boat with a banner across the side that read:

Kathryn, will you marry me?

Love forever, Ted

I stood there in shock. Reading it. Re-reading it. Looking around at the smiling faces of my family, then reading it again.

Finally, I see Ted walk out of the boat, step onto the pier, and get on his knee in front of me. He opened a little black box, revealing the prettiest diamond ring I’d ever seen, and asked the question every girl waits to hear …

“Kathryn, will you marry me?”

I covered my mouth with both hands in shock. No one had prepared me or warned me. Was this really happening?

And why hadn’t someone suggested I do my hair or wear a cute outfit on what would be one of the most memorable days of my life.

Ted asked again,

“Kathryn, will you marry me?”

I was speechless. I honestly couldn’t get words to come out of my mouth so I shook my head up and down – the only “YES” I could communicate in that moment.

He gently pulled my hand away from my face, put a ring on my finger and hugged me tightly.

My family cheered. Ted’s family and some of our friends came out of hiding and cheered.

There was no boat for Dad. (Sorry Dad!) This Father’s day he sacrificed HIS day for ME – to throw me off course and to be a part of an engagement surprise and celebration.

After hugs all around and a few pictures, our families left and Ted and I got to spend the day on the lake. He had rented the boat. So with the “Kathryn will you marry me?” banner still attached, we sailed off into the sunset…and celebrated one of our happiest days yet!

Click here to read the story of our wedding day!

Click here to read the story of how we met!