OUR ENGAGEMENT STORY
February 10, 2006

(See BOTH of our perspectives!)

From Ethan's Perspective:

So, it all started when I dropped a note in Becca's car on Saturday, February 4th, 2006 - one full week before I popped the question.  In the note, I let her know that she wasn't coming up to Boston and instead was going somewhere else.  I gave her a weather report of the mystery location, told her she couldn't call me and that I was sending her on a treasure hunt.  Becca, of course, had packed in advance to go to Boston.  She was all set to go when she returned from work that Thursday night (February 9th).  She repacked relatively quickly and headed up to Montclair, NJ (her parent's place).  There, I had left a package a week before.  In the package was a note telling her that her dad would be driving her to Newark Airport the following morning and she should board a plane heading to....LAS VEGAS!!

At the same time, I was flying over the U.S. to Las Vegas and arrived at the airport around 11:30 PM local time.  I had gotten there a full half a day in advance of Becca to set everything up.  I ended up staying at this pretty terrible HoJo's that evening right next to the airport.  I woke up around 6:45 AM the following morning to start my planning.  I had done quite a bit of research in advance and knew pretty much what I wanted to do with the treasure hunt, but had a half of a day to set it up and scout it out firsthand.

Here's a step by step process of how I wanted it to play out:
- Receives note in Rumson, NJ
- Drives up to Montclair, NJ and receives a note there to fly to L.V. and pick up next note at HoJo's in L.V.
- Arranges for shuttle to HoJo's & picks up package at front desk
- In package is rental car key to rental car outside
- In car are directions to Borders in Henderson, NV
- Drives to Borders and picks up next clue in Travel section
- Last clue gives her directions to drive up to a meeting point in Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Meets up with me!

I drove all the way up the Strip to the Stratosphere Hotel to check in and received a text message from Becca indicating her arrival in Vegas.  So, I had to speed southward to the Borders and plant the last clue before she got there.  Fortunately, I arrived before Becca, planted the clue, hid outside and waited for her to arrive.  Once I saw Becca walk into the Borders, I sped off to Lake Mead (about 30 min away) to get to our meeting spot.  Sure enough, she got there without any problem!  We took a 1/4 mile walk up to the top of this really pretty vista, overlooking the Southwest desert.

And then....

I popped the question!!

And she said yes!  We were engaged!!! WOO HOO!!!!

From Becca's Perspective:

It was around 8:00pm on Thursday and I just got out of work.  I was very excited because the next morning I would head up to Boston to visit Ethan and celebrate Valentine's Day.  We had reservations for dinner at a fancy restaurant and Ethan had purchased tickets to the symphony.  I was already packed and ready to head up to Montclair that night and see my parents.  When I woke up in the morning I would be one hour closer to Boston!

When I walked out of work, I turned on my cell phone to check my voicemail.  Ethan had left me a message instructing me to look in the seat-back-pocket in the car.  There, I discovered an envelope with instructions: pack according to the weather forecast enclosed, head to Montclair for further instruction, and do not call Ethan!  Of course, I immediately tried calling Ethan.  His phone went right to voicemail.  What was going on?!?!?  Ethan included in his note that I wouldn't be back for work on Sunday.  He had been pressuring me for weeks to take the day off for his office get-together, but I refused.  Ethan had gone behind my back and confirmed that I take the day off anyway!!

I was frantic in my apartment.  I called my sister and my parents (who didn't pick up!) in excitement.  I didn't know what to pack because I didn't know where I was going.  So, in typical fashion, I took more than I needed for a 3-day weekend!  I hopped in the car and sped to Montclair.  My parents weren't supposed to give me the package until the next morning, but I weaseled it away from them.  Inside, was flight information and a guidebook for LAS VEGAS!!!!!!  I couldn't believe it.  How did Ethan pull this off without me knowing anything?

The next morning was a bit of blur.  I woke up early, my dad dropped me at the airport, I bought a People Magazine, and boarded a plane headed for Vegas.  The only instruction I had was to grab the shuttle to the Howard Johnson where there would be a key to a room waiting for me.  I didn't sleep much the night before so even though I was excited beyond belief, I passed out for a few hours.  It's a good thing I slept a little bit because I had a busy day of activity in store for me....although I didn't know it yet!

When I landed in Vegas, I was overwhelmed by the size of the airport and navigating my way around.  After a bit of a search, I found the hotel shuttle area and waited for mine to arrive.  It was a quick 15 minute ride to the hotel....errrr motel....errrrr dump! I was getting a little worried because everyone who knows me, knows that I no longer do 1-star hotels.  I walked inside and asked for my package.  The receptionist handed me an envelope and inside there was a key, but not a room key.  Ethan left me keys to a rental car!  Parked out front was a rental car for me.  I hopped in and found my next set of instructions and a bag of melted chocolates (good thought Ethan...but not the best idea to leave chocolate in the car in the desert!).  I was to drive to a Border's Bookstore in Henderson, NV.  Ethan left me turn-by-turn instructions, which was helpful, because he knows I hate being lost and not know where I'm driving!

Fifteen minutes later I arrived at the Border's and headed to the travel section (as instructed by Ethan's note).  Tucked amongst the Greece travel books was another clue!  Ethan wrote that I would be taking a 30-40 minute drive, but that I would see him soon.  I decided I better use the ladies room and grab a latte from the cafe for energy!

I headed back to my lovely rental car and set out on my journey to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  Once I entered Lake Mead, it was a winding 15 minute drive up the desert hills.  It was beautiful.  The day could not have been anymore lovely.  Blue sky.  Bright sun.  Perfect.  I finally arrived to our meeting place and there was Ethan, leaning against his own rental car and holding a single long-stem rose.  I knew this was it!  We took a short walk up to a gorgeous vista overlooking miles and miles of desert rock.  The next thing I knew Ethan was down on one knee and showing me the most beautiful ring I could have ever imagined.  Somewhere among all of this, Ethan asked me to marry him, and of course, I said yes!  We were engaged and in Vegas!  Woohoo!  Celebration!!!!!