Summary: (If you're going to to read the detail, do that first, it's much more interesting). (Dave) We'd planned to go for a hike on the Billy Goat Trail, on the Potomac River just above Washington, on a warm autumn Sunday. I sent some friends ahead with picnic fixings. We hiked along the trail and crossed to a high island where the surprise was waiting. After we enjoyed lunch, I read a letter telling the story of our courtship and my love for her, then asked her to marry me. She said "Yes".

First comes Jen's perspective (the one who got surprised), then a couple details that Dave had to fill in. You're visiting our website, so we assume you want all the details!

Jen's perspective (by Jen) (which doesn't include A LOT of the sneaky, behind-the-scenes, pre-work that Dave & a few others conspired in, the days etc. prior...):

We were going hiking after church on this glorious autumn November Sunday, with foliage brilliant in shades of flame, red, yellow, gold and orange, and the temperature astoundingly warm. The Billy Goat Trail is a rocky trail that winds along the Potomac River. Earlier in the year we'd discovered an island off-trail with a high, rocky bluff. No one goes there, because you have to jump across rocks and balance precariously at some points, and last time we'd had to swim to reach it. So it was a discovery that we loved. It was so beautiful at the very top, with evergreens and huge high boulders. With pine needles and light streaming through the trees it seemed like what I imagine the Pacific Northwest must sometimes look like.

We were going there again, on this lovely day. We found a log that had washed up into perfect position to help us cross the worst part (Well, at least I thought it was natural -- when Dave said, "look at this log! Perfect! I wonder if it's natural, or someone put it there??" I thought, "What a silly question! It's a huge log. Why would anyone just put it there?").

As we were clambering up the rock face, climbing up and over outcroppings and all, I looked up and thought I saw what looked like a tablecloth. So, I said, "Dave, oh no! There are other people here! We'd better make noise." (I was thinking how bad it would be to catch someone by surprise - we should at least let them know we were coming. What if they were smooching or something!) Dave obligingly hollered up as we went, but kept going straight up! I made hand motions like "let's go THATTA way -- we'd better go around!" But we were almost there; I whistled a little, just in case; then we were at the top.

Down in a hollow a little tablecloth was spread -- and Dave walked right down to it! Then I looked and realized there was a Kenyan shuka... And the light slowly dawned. I was so amazed -- tablecloth, lace, bright beautiful flowers, blackberry wine, glasses, African fabrics, a campstove, and all the fixings for omelets, fruit salad and dessert as well!! And for us! Overlooking the river below, with the sweep of incredible foliage on the opposite bank and trees surrounding on either side. What an amazing anniversary surprise!! (It was the anniversary of our first date, and really of the beginning of our friendship.)

We had delicious fruit salad and Dave made the best omelette I have ever had. But then, he pulled out C.S. Lewis' Last Battle, and read the passage of "Further up, and further in!". It's where all the creatures of the Narnia are running through the New Narnia and exploring parts of it they had never seen before. And THEN I knew. (!!) He read an amazing letter -- if you can believe it, this could be my favorite part of the whole entire, wonderful thing -- that told the story of our courtship, of teaching and challenges that had shaped it, of blessing-coincidences throughout, of the wonder of it, our favorite hymn, and ways God had met us, all through it. And then he asked me to marry him.... And I said Yes!, with all my heart. (I'm smiling so much it hurts!) He is just the most amazing gift...

More things... Dave had arranged with friends, Scott & Jen, to come back at a certain time to be 'photographers' a bit before leaving and helping us carry out some things. They get praise and kudos for being amazing co-conspirators! We had a lovely afternoon there, and on the way back. And we got to go to Kairos (the young adults group at which we met) that evening, straight from the island. We came in late, so no-one knew. We were sitting in the back as we worshipped and delighted in it all, and there were hymns and songs that fit our hearts-bursting sense of worship and excitement so well. And we got to go up for communion together! It was as though our 'first audience' got to be the Lord... (besides the co-conspirators!) (Though my current theory is that God was in very many ways the lead co-conspirator.)

Then afterwards we got to be delighted and thrilled with everyone, with people saying when they'd realized, if they'd actually seen us come in and knew, just seeing our faces, or at communion, and over and over again affirmation of others saying how very good they knew it was. It was so FUN to rejoice with friends and community!! And then we (I, but both of us) got to call my Dad & siblings, the Morris and Lindsley families here in the area, and others.

And the ring is So beautiful, and everything for the picnic was even color-coordinated with rich, deep blue (matching the sapphire ring).

A Few of Dave's Event Planning Details: Scott and I went out to the Billy Goat trail saturday morning to scope out the right location. I had to have an alibi for not hanging out with Jen that morning, so I told her I was at a diner with Scott having breakfast. [Jen: Totally fooled. He even smelled like bacon. Later I learned that was from preparing omelette ingredients.]

Scott had dressed up a bit for the day, so he had to hike around pretty rugged terrain with a nice sweater and dress shoes. I told him about this island, and we tried to get over to it, but one of the access points was totally flooded, and the other had a stretch of about 10 feet of knee deep water that you would have to wade across to get to. We chose a plan B location (which really wouldn't have been that great, but we didn't have time to do any more) and then I told him that I wanted it on the island, and he assured me that he and his girlfriend would figure it out.