Starry, Starry Night...

3 years ago, July 19th, 2005, Jon proposed to me. Here's the story:

Jon and I met while working at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. We were both at the United Way Day of Caring, painting the gym at the Boy's and Girl's Club in Salt Lake. I thought it was hilarious that he could jump from the gym floor up onto the basketball hoop. After being friends for 2 years and seeing each other through A LOT, in April of 2005, Jon decided that it was time for us to date.

We had been dating for a few months when the "marriage" conversation was brought up during a road trip we took to Las Vegas. I'll go ahead and tell you, before Jon interrupts, that I brought it up. He politely told me that he didn't want to think about it at that time, and didn't want to make any commitments. Okay, this is where Jon will tell you was the start of his plotting. Because instantly, I assumed that a break-up was coming down the pipe.

A few weeks later, Jon asked me to go for a drive with him. It was 9:30 at night when he asked me, and knowing that I had to get up at 5:00 in the blessed AM the next morning, I tried to persuade him to wait. But he insisted that it was a short drive and I would be home soon. Okay. Problem: I knew it wasn't going to be a short drive when he pulled in to the gas station to fill up his car (it still had just under a half a tank!). He then proceeded to pull onto the 215 highway, heading east, towards the canyon. The canyon quickly turned into Park City. The conversation this whole time went something like this:

Jon: Beautiful night, isn't it?
Cat: Yes, beautiful (rolling my eyes).
Jon: You know that you are one of my best friends, right?
Cat: Yeah (thinking, "Oh great, I just got referred to as a friend!").

10 minutes later...
Jon: Look at the stars.
Cat: I know (my eyes are starting to tear now because of what I think is coming, and being grateful that it's dark and I have a window to look out of).
Jon: You are such a great friend. I hope we stay that way.
Cat: Me too. (thinking, "Yup, he's breaking up with me. He's driving me all the way up here to BREAK UP WITH ME?!")

Then Park City disappeared and evolved into Jordanelle Reservoir. 45 minutes after leaving Salt Lake, we pulled into a small recreation area on the banks of the reservoir.

I was in my pajamas, with slippers on, and Jon wanted to hike down to the water to sit on the dock! Okay, so I stumble through the sagebrush, thistles, and sand, in my SLIPPERS, to get down to the shore. We go out to the end of the pier and sit. It is absolutely breathtaking - clear sky, stars, the gentle rocking of the waves, and just us. I couldn't believe that this was going to be absolutely destroyed by Jon's apparent attempt to gently break up with me.

Jon: Isn't this awesome!
Cat: Yeah, beautiful.
Jon: You know what a great friend you are to me, right?
Cat: Yeah.
Jon: And you know that I only want what's best for you, right?
Cat: Mm, hmm (again, holding back tears).
Jon: Well, I was just wondering if you'd marry me then.
Cat: That's not funny, Jon.
Jon: I'm not joking!
Cat: Yeah right.
Jon: No, seriously, I called your parents tonight and asked their permission.
Cat: Now I KNOW you're teasing me.
Jon: Okay (shows me his cell phone history, where I can see that he called my parents a few hours earlier).
Cat: -Silence-Dumbfounded-
Jon: Um, Cat?
Cat: Yeah.
Jon: So, you going to answer me?
Cat: You're being serious?
Jon: YES!

At which time, I obviously answered yes. And to this day, we not only know the proposal to be one of the greatest days in our lives, but also as the day that Jon almost got thrown into Jordanelle Reservoir by his prospective bride.



This is the closest picture I could find of Jordanelle at night. At least I have it saved in my memory.