Happy New Years everyone!! It’s a little late I know but I just got back from my new years eve trip to New Orleans with my girlfriend and man oh man was it a trip for the books!! This is definitely the best new years I have ever had and the most memorable for sure. Why you ask? Well as you can tell from the title of the post, I am now officially engaged to be married now. I proposed in New Orleans and she said yes! Details below.
The Who:
My girl and I have been together for 2 years. New Year’s eve is actually our anniversary of when we first officially became boyfriend/girlfriend. So this past NYE was our 2nd anniversary so to speak. Prior to ever becoming an item, we were friends and we have actually known each other for about 7 years. I remember thinking years ago before we ever got together that I wanted to be with her and now feel like the luckiest man in the world. She is absolutely perfect for me and I want nothing more but to spend the rest of my life with her and have a family together.
Why New Orleans:
About 6 months ago is when I made the decision and knew that I wanted to propose during new years because that is the anniversary of when we got together however I had no idea where we would spend NYE. In speaking casually with her I planted the seed of leaving town for NYE, a romantic getaway with just the two of us. She thought it was a great idea and she chose New Orleans. We have both already been to New Orleans a handful of times but this would be much different. Prior trips when we were younger were all about drinking and getting rowdy on Bourbon St but those days are long past the both of us and we just wanted to see a different side of New Orleans. I mean don’t get me wrong, we love having a great time and we did run into Darth Vadar and Chewbaca while we were there (picture on left) but our college days of getting hammered have been over for a while now.
We stayed at a bed and breakfast just on the outskirts of downtown and we explored areas of the city in which we never have before. We both are also huge fans of cajun/creole food so were really looking forward to eating awesome meals while we were there. We were not disappointed at all. The food was spectacular. The picture on the right is of an Oyster Po’Boy which was to die for. I’m drooling now thinking about it. So good!! And as a bonus, New Orleans was also host of the Sugar bowl while we were there. If you don’t know, the Sugar Bowl is a bigtime college football game in where Oklahoma St was playing Ole Miss. This made the trip more enjoyable as we got to partake in the fan festivities and college fan ambiance.
We also took a ghost tour which was a ton of fun, explored the garden district, saw the coven house from American Horror Story, went to City Park, went to the national art museum, enjoyed the new years eve parade downtown, witnessed the fleur de lis countdown and drop in Jackson Square, saw the new years eve fireworks, shopped and walked a lot! I averaged about 17k steps per day while we where there which is great!
How I Proposed:
Now let’s get to the juicy details of how I proposed and how it all went down. My first concern was sneaking the engagement ring through airport security and keeping it hidden. Fortunately I had no problems with that. I did not have planned where I was going to propose but I did know what I was going to say. I had been rehearsing lines of what to say for weeks now. The plan was to carry the ring in my pocket at all times and propose when I felt was the right time and location. It wasn’t the easiest way to do this but it was the only way because I do not know the city that well and had no idea where we would be at any given time.
The day prior to NYE we went to City Park which is a beautiful park that is home to the Art Museum, botanical gardens, sculpture garden and all kinds of cool old-looking bridges. I knew we would be spending a lot of time here and somewhere in City Park would be the perfect place to propose. After visiting the Art Museum (which was super cool by the way) we decided to take a stroll around the park. It wasn’t too far off when we ended up in the sculpture garden. This was a beautiful landscape with a bunch of really cool sculptures. Upon walking in I noticed a sculpture that spelled out L-O-V-E in the distance.
My heart immediately began racing and butterflies were flying strong in the stomach. This was it folks! I knew it was going to be in front of this LOVE sculpture where I propose. Time seemed to go in slow motion on the way to the sculpture and I was also trying to time it so that we would be the only ones there. I slowed the pace a bit to let another couple pass by. I was trying to remember the lines I would say but they would not come to me at all. All that rehearsing of what I would say was out the door. I would have to wing what I say.
As we pulled up the sculpture and admired it for a little I began telling her how lucky I felt to be with her and that my whole life had changed since we were together. My heart at this point was still racing and I didn’t have the ring out of my pocket yet which was an issue. I told her to take a picture of the sculpture and as she did that, I pulled out the ring and had it in my hand. When she finished taking the picture, I started letting her know about how I would love to be with her the for the rest of my life, start a family and grow old together.
I said some more words after that but I don’t recall exactly what they were. It is hard to remember exactly what I said because of all the emotions going through me at that time. Immediately after saying those words is when I got on one knee, right in front of the LOVE sculpture, exposed the ring and said “Will you marry me?”. My eyes teared up as I said it and so did her’s. It was very emotional I had no idea it would be like this. The first thing she said was “is this really happening?”. Not exactly the words I was expecting but she meant them in a good way, believe me! A few seconds later she said “oh my god, yes, of course I will marry you”. I don’t remember the last time I cried of joy or if I ever even have at all but I can tell you for sure there were tears of joy trickling down my face and hers at this time. We hugged for about 5 minutes and kissed and soaked it all in. She couldn’t believe it and asked if she was dreaming in which I said “no babe, this is real, you are going to be my wife”.
A few minutes later a family was walking by and I asked if they could take a picture of us in front of the LOVE sculpture. The picture here on the right is the one they captured for us. I covered both our faces with the Cash Flow Diaries logo to remain anonymous so I do apologize for that.
The moment was very surreal and it felt like it all happened so quick and was very emotional. New Orleans and specifically this sculpture garden is going to go down as a priceless landmark forever in our memories.
The Future:
Now that I am back home and am starting 2016 with the love of my life I can begin to think further ahead. About the financial future together for the both of us and how I am going to build our passive income streams to the point where it will suffice for the both of us and any future children we will have.
It’s no longer about my personal journey to financial freedom, but about “our” journey” to it. So although 2016 will be an interesting year financially with a wedding/honeymoon and all that, I am going to try even harder to be frugal with my money and make smart investment decisions. Will you be on this journey with us?
Congrats! Nicely done! Nice way to kick off the new year! Best of luck to you both!
Thanks Brian!! It really is a great way to kick off the new year. 2016 will be amazing!
Many, many congrats, friend! I’m very happy for you guys. Also, New Orleans was a great spot to get engaged. Growing up, I lived about 2 hours from NO, so I took trips there fairly often. It’s also where my wife and I spent our first anniversary. You definitely made a good call. I wish you both the very best and happy new year! I’m looking forward to hearing about this next phase in your journey
Thanks so much Brian! That is so awesome NOLA was your first anniversary. I imagine it will be a destination city for many future anniversaries to come for me. 🙂
This next phase in my my journey should be epic!
Oh man!! Congratulations Alex xD I couldn’t be happier for you!! This is so exciting!
Best wishes to the two of you!!
Thanks Jaymee!! Im super happy and very excited for sure!
Outstanding buddy! Well I hope 2016 is a happy and healthy one for you guys. It’s much more fun to take this journey with the right partner. Blessings to you guys
-Bryan
Thanks Bryan! Really appreciate it!
Wow Alex. BEST post I’ve read this year!! 🙂
Congratulations man. Well played and thank you for sharing such a special moment with us all. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Ha! Thanks Michael. This is the best post Ive written this year for sure. 😉
Thanks for the kind words.
Woot!!! Congrats Alex!! That’s awesome news!!
Thanks Deepak!! Woot Woot!!
Congrats and Happy New Year! Looking forward to all your 2016 posts.
Thanks Mike!
Congrats Alex! Sounds like you two had a blast. Look forward to learning more from you this year.
Hi Joe.
We had so much fun! thanks!
Congrats, Alex! Looking forward to hearing about both of you on your new (joint) financial journey.
Thanks yeti! It will definitely be a little different now that we are joint.
congratulations man! Been following your blog for a few months and enjoying every post!
Awesome! Thanks J!
Hey Alex,
I just wanted to say a massive congratulations to you and your fiance!! What an awesome way to start 2016!
The way you proposed was great as well, although I did have slight trouble reading it about midway through because some dust or something must have flown into my eyes and made them water 😉
Here is to a prosperous and healthy 2016!!
Carl
Hey Carl! Thanks so much. 2016 is going to be a great year and im looking forward to every second of it.
Haha, yeah its the worst when dust gets in your eye while youre reading. 😉
Really appreciate it!
Congrats on your decision to continue on your journey with a life partner. I have enjoyed reading your rental blog and I look forward to reading how you will achieve your new goal of financial freedom for both of you. Thanks for sharing and best wishes to the future
Hi Nancy,
Thanks so much. I will have to up my game now to reach financial freedom for the both of us. But it will help once we get her income involved too. 😉
Congrats! I wish you both the best!
Thanks so much Petrish!!
Congratulations, Alexander!! What an incredible story & memorable trip that you & your fiancee had! Happy New Year, enjoy your engagement!
Hi Alyssa! Thanks so much. It is a very incredible story. Just that we were friends for 5 years before we got together is a big deal I think.
Congrats, that’s awesome! New Orleans holds a special place in my heart, because that’s where I first met Mrs. SSC, we started dating, and then ultimately got married in a little hotel courtyard. 🙂 We loved going down there and getting to experience the city, and the sculpture garden is pretty cool.
Glad you had a great New Year’s and congrats again!
New Orleans is such a great city. I love going there and I love eating the food there. I think its really cool that NOLA holds a special place in your heart as well. We have that in common forever now! Those little hotel courtyards throughout downtown are amazing and that is a great idea to get married there.
Congrats stud!!! That is very exciting. Yes you now have to plan for two (and more) but you have a partner in crime to assist you and synergy is a very real phenomenon. Here’s to a great 2016 and congrats again.
Hey Nate! The strategy to retire early definitely just got more complicated and Im sure it will take me a lot longer now to reach financial freedom but it is totally worth it. I think now with my “partner in crime” though we might be able to figure out how to speed up the process for financial freedom. We’ll see, need to sit and really talk about it and plan. Will make for a good future post.
Congratulations, best of luck to you guys. Exciting times!
Hi Steve! Very exciting times indeed! Thanks so much!
*Deep breath* This is such a romantic story, with the small details about the ring and the airport security, the line rehearsing and the ultra convenient spot that appeared in front of you as the perfect setting! Really glad it worked so well. Can we give credit to the universe? 🙂
Ha yes it’s crazy how the universe made sure it all worked out. I will never forget that day! Thanks so much for the awesome comment. 😉
Congrats! That’s awesome! New Orleans is a wonderful city so no surprise that it delivered on the perfect spot.
I swear an engagement ring feels like a burning chunk of lava when you’re trying to hide it. “Why’s your pocket smoking?” “Oh…that’s nothing, just nothing. Wanna get a coffee?” Glad you didn’t have any TSA surprises.
Looking forward to reading your posts in 2016.
It really was perfect! Couldnt have asked for anything more. Ha! Yeah i did not feel comfortable at all having that ring in my pocket. I checked it every few minutes to make sure it was still there. LOL
Wow Alex!! Congratulations!! what a wonderful way to start the new year. Happy for you. May you both get much happiness/ success in marriage and life…Love reading your blog and this one was special!!! Congrats again…
Thanks so much Mayank! It really is the best way to start my year. I cant be any happier!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you both. What a beautiful way to propose. All the best for your life together. x
Thank you Thrifty! I really appreciate it.
Hey man,
Congrats on the news, that’s awesome and can’t be happier for you 🙂
Looking forward to hearing more about how it all goes along with you continuing to smash out the blog!
Cheers
Hi Jef! It really is awesome, thanks bro!! I appreciate it. Now that football season is ending I think I will be able to put a lot more effort into the blog so hopefully we’ll see some growth.
Congratulations for your engagements! Its so nice seeing a couple emotionally stirred with tears of joy! Yes, we would be with you on the journey to financial freedom in 2016. Once again, my congrats and goodwill for your family life decision!
Hey Sunday! Thanks so much! Im really looking forward to see what 2016 brings and how my life will change from now on.
May your love grow stronger as you find your way through the storms of life.
Congratulations on your wedding.
Those are really nice words CRS! Thanks so much.
Goose bumps reading your proposal!!! And when it is unexpected, we ladies tend to say silly things. I’m pretty sure I asked my husband if he would wear a wedding ring before I said yes. (Long story) So happy for you. You are such a wonderful person. And in front of the LOVE statue in NOLA?!? Perfect!
Aww thanks Mindy! I love your comment! Thanks so much.
Congratulations to you guys!
What a lovely and perfect moment and a great thing to share with your followers here.
Hi Jenna!
🙂 Thanks Jenna. It means a lot to me that you think that.
Congrats!! Very happy for you guys…good job with the proposal!
Andrew! Thanks man! I really appreciate it!
Great read. More people need to more adventurous with their significant others like this. Thanks for writing.