Cody had visited the Smokies before but this was Kristy’s first time in the mountains. She thought they were just coming to the Smokies to celebrate his birthday, but Cody had other plans in mind . . .

Which included waking up poor Kristy on a chilly Saturday morning, with the sun not yet having made its appearance, and drive with him through the dark up a rutted mountain road to see a view he thought she’d like. And that somehow he knew all about, even amazing her that he knew how to get there - albeit up that aforementioned rutted mountain road in pitch black that terrified her.

So with a wind chill bringing the temperature into the 30s, they found themselves walking up a mountain … and Cody nervously looking for me. And he spotted me, but a second later, Kristy said to him, “Let’s go over there ….” “No,” he said, “let’s keep walking.” ““Come on, I just want to see what’s over there,” she replied. And knowing time was slipping past, Cody made his move.

And, of course, she said yes! Kristy was really surprised when she found out that nearly everyone back home in Alabama knew Cody would use this trip to propose - and that included her two boys from a previous relationship. When Cody discussed it with them, one son asked him, “You did get her a ring, right?” while the other had to ask, “What if she says no?” But with such a loving man who is ready to be both husband and father, you just knew Kristy could not say anything but yes!

I like that - this is not only the start of a marriage but the start of a new family.

What can I say, some things are worth getting up early for!

My thanks to Gracyn Bailey, an onlooker to this wonderful moment, who shared her video with me:

And is my tradition whenever I post about a proposal, let me say it:

Mazel tov, you crazy kids!