The Most Romantic Night of My Life

Thus far... :)

Wednesday September 23rd 2009. Spencer had arrived on Saturday and we’d been having SUCH a fabulous time together! He dropped me off at school in the morning for my 2 classes. Mid-way through that time I started feeling VERY sick. I texted Spencer and told him I felt awful. He picked me up at 1:30pm after class and started driving me to a clinic (I felt THAT horrible). But halfway there, I told him I thought I should try to get some rest and see if I felt better before I went to see a doctor. So he took me home, made me chicken noodle soup and a sandwich, insisted I drink an entire 32 oz of Gatorade, and then tucked me into bed. He was SO sweet! Totally took care of me! Then he waited downstairs for two and a half hours while I slept and rested. Spence told me that we had plans for the evening but that we’d wait and see how I felt when I woke up. Around 5:30, he knocked on my door. I was awake and feeling much better. Spencer came over by my bed and got down on one knee. He had this folded piece of paper that said: “Carly, will you…….” Then he opened the flap and it said “Go out with me tonight?” I laughed and said “Yes!” He said we had to leave at 6pm so I needed to get dressed quickly and then proceeded to give me three options of outfits to wear. All three were dresses so I was excited that we were going someplace nice!


He arranged for my roommate Callie to drop us off at the metro. We got on the yellow line heading into Washington, BUT then he said we were going to transfer at the next station and take the Green line towards Branch Ave. I was totally perplexed! That train heads into the rough parts of the city and I’ve been told never to get on it except to go to baseball games at Nationals Park…plus it takes us away from the city and nice restaurants. We quickly arrived at the Waterfront, however, and he said this was our stop. I’m thinking: “Is he taking me on a boat ride?!” He was! We walked a couple blocks down to the harbor and there the boat was waiting for us! They took our picture out front before we boarded (so they could try to sell it to us later). This is a picture of a picture...the actual looks better.




It was a Dinner Cruise on the Potomac River. I was so excited! I love water and boats and fancy restaurants and sunsets and city lights…it was all that combined into one! It was a large ship. There were quite a few other people joining us for the evening and everyone was dressed up nicely. We were lucky and got our own private table next to the window. There were candles on the tables and everything.



Dinner was good; dessert was even better. Spencer told me the cruise lasted 3 hours so we had plenty of time to relax and enjoy ourselves. We finished eating about an hour into the cruise. All of the servers were also singers. They started taking turns performing numbers and a few couples started dancing on the dance floor. There was an observation deck upstairs and Spencer asked me if I wanted to go walk around and check out the rest of the boat. But instead of heading towards the back of the boat where the stairs were, he takes me towards the front of the boat where the kitchen was. We meet a hostess who asks us: “Are you ready for your tour?” I was confused.


She told me I had to follow her and that Spencer was going the other way but would meet us. She took me outside and around to the very front of the boat and there was Spencer waiting for me at our very own private table with white tablecloth, roses, and champagne glasses! It was dark out but they had put a small light on the table (like candlelight). I was so surprised! We sat together for ten minutes or so enjoying the view. Then a server came out and started singing for us. Spencer asked me to dance with him there at the front of the boat. Neither of us knew what song he was singing, but we loved it anyway. After he left us alone, Spencer said: “I love you, Charlotte Ann. I want to be with you for the rest of my life and for eternity.” Then he got down on one knee took a ring box out of his pocket, opened it and asked: “Will you marry me?”


I was smiling—beaming. I made him sweat it out for a second or two while I caught my breath and said “yes!”



We were told we could stay out there for the rest of the cruise if we wanted to. So we just sat there on our own private deck for another hour together. It was so much fun!! Here is my cute fiance :)



The view was spectacular. The sky was clear and the moon was beautiful. We had amazing view of Washington D.C.—the capitol, monuments, and city lights…and all of it reflecting off the water. I loved every minute of it. When we finally came back inside they announced to the entire ship that we had just gotten engaged. Everyone was congratulating us wherever we went after that. They were playing music inside so we danced to another song (Kelly Clarkson “A Moment Like This” I think). Then finally we went upstairs to check out the observation deck.

When we got back into the port, the captain of the boat chased us down to the place where they try to sell you the picture they took of you before the cruise. He said the cruise line wanted to pay for our pictures ($40 worth). We also got champagne glasses with the cruise line name etched in them to remember to remember the night. Let me tell you, I was very impressed with that whole operation. They were extremely hospitable. This is us after the cruise...in love, engaged, enthralled with each other. :)



After the cruise, we went to the Lincoln Memorial which is a special place for us. The view of the Washington Memorial and the Capitol from the steps of the Lincoln is breathtaking!



Spencer had then arranged for Callie to pick us up at the Lincoln and take us back to my house. It had been such an incredible night and little did I know that it wasn’t over!





We got back to my house and walked around to the back of the house instead of going in the front door. Spencer had recruited my roommates the day before and arranged for them to put twinkling lights and tea candles all over the deck and railing. And there were two dozen long stemmed roses that were white with pink edges sitting there in a vase. David Gray was playing from Spencer’s laptop as we walked up. It was SO romantic!! We danced to two songs: “The One I Love” and “This Year’s Love. “ It was the perfect end to the evening!! I loved it! I didn’t want to go inside even though it was EXTREMELY humid that night and we were both ready for some cool air. I insisted that we call our families from the deck. Just didn’t want it to end. It was THE perfect night! I loved every part of it!


I am SO happy! I love Spencer more than anything! He amazes me daily with what a truly good person he is and how he cares so much for the people in his life…especially me. He treats me like a queen. He makes me laugh, supports me through trials, complements me, and is the best listener and friend I could ever imagine. I love living life with him by my side. I can’t wait to be married in the Temple and sealed together for eternity! We’re planning on early May in Salt Lake City. :)


Oh and don’t even get me started on my ring….I am IN LOVE with it! It is so beautiful!! I seriously stare at it constantly! So sparkly! It is exactly what I wanted.



I am one deliriously happy girl!