Ryan and I went to look at rings a few months before he popped the big question. During that appointment he found out my ring size and preference. He made me promise if he went to look at rings with me that one time, I wouldn't ask about it again and I didn't. After we went ring shopping I went ahead and ordered 2 different dress options that would stay hanging in my closet until the big day came. My only ask of him was that someone would tell me to wear the dress when the time came. On the weekend he was proposing I was throwing a Halloween party at my house in Nashville that I already had my closest friends coming in town for from my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. My best friend was staying at my house for the party and told me she had made us reservations at the 1Hotel Nashville rooftop for sushi and drinks at sunset that night on Friday, October 27th. I had gotten my hair blown out earlier that day because I knew I would be too busy that weekend party planning to deal with my hair, so that also ended up being a really great decision. My friend did my makeup that night and I had no idea a proposal was happening until we were deciding what to wear and she pointed at THE dress. At that point I was shocked but she told me not to ask any questions. She drove us to 1Hotel and as we got in the elevator she told me to close my eyes and that I couldn't open them until she said so. She led me through the hallway at the hotel until I heard a door open and my soon-to-be fiance said "Hey babe!" He told me I could open my eyes and led me down this beautiful hallway filled with white rose petals, large taupe colored balloons, framed photos of us and taper candles. We then turned to walk outside on the terrace of what I found out later was the penthouse suite at the hotel. There was a dreamy setup with candles, white roses and the most beautiful skyline city view of downtown Nashville. In that moment I truly felt every emotion imaginable -- I was excited, nervous, couldn't breathe, shaking, was overjoyed and totally in shock! I couldn't stop crying and was trying to hold myself together. Getting engaged is the moment you dream about your entire life and there he was, down on one knee in front of me. I've thought about that exact moment countless times since I was a little girl and it was the most surreal feeling actually being in it. There were so many times in my life where I truly thought I may never find my person and that an engagement would never happen for me. The Lord knew my heart desired so much to be a wife and to be married. As soon as I let go of control and gave it all over to God, he led me to meeting the man I had prayed for my entire life and now I get to pray WITH him for the rest of my life. It was absolutely worth the wait, every tear, every heartbreak. The exact response I gave Ryan when he asked me to marry him was that "I had never been more sure of anything in my life" and that's the truth. It was the easiest question I've ever been asked and the biggest yes! I noticed Ryan's older brother, Sam, who is an extremely talented photographer, taking our photos in the corner and then shortly after that my entire family came out from the hotel rooms they had been hiding away in. We popped champagne, celebrated and then more of my closest friends joined us from the rooftop bar at the hotel where they had been waiting. The engagement after party was comprised of the most special details including a white heart cake that said "Engaged AF", custom cookies, tons of bottles of Veuve Clicquot (my favorite champagne) and a large charcuterie board. After celebrating in the penthouse suite for a while and taking lots of photos, we made our way to the rooftop bar at the hotel where we had an entire section roped off for us, an open bar and more food! It was truly the most special night of my life and one that I will remember forever. Dream man, dream proposal, dream ring, dream life! XOXO - Carlyle