Each year, Dre's family enjoys a week of skiing on Loon Mountain during February's school vacation week. Dre and Sarah tend to visit for the first weekend- while Dre snowboards with his nieces and nephews, Sarah enjoys snacks and wine back at the lodge. This year the ride there fell on Valentine's Day, and Sarah teased Dre on their way out the door that of course he hadn't gotten her a valentine.
After the sleepy ride north, Dre hit the slopes with his family. Later that afternoon he texted Sarah back at the suite to ask if she would want to ride up the mountain in the gondola, just for fun.
I like gondolas, Sarah thought. Sure! she said. After being dropped off by Dre's father at the lift entrance, she met up with Dre, his sister Natalia, and nephews Gavin and Blake. Natalia and sons departed in one gondola, and Dre and Sarah got the next one for a slow and relaxing ride to the summit. The top of Loon gets steep, and the view of the trails down the mountain was impressive- the ever more dramatic incline gave Sarah the butterflies of anticipation even without a hint of what was to come!
When they got out at the top, they all casually walked around and took some pictures, then went to the overlook at a cliff with a beautiful frozen lake view. It had been a cloudy day, but the sun was finally coming out. After one crowd of people left the best viewing area the Endara group scooted in, taking pictures of the landscape below. As Natalia continued taking pictures, Dre told Sarah, "I'm sorry I didn't get you anything for Valentine's Day," and as Sarah began to reply not to worry, he said, "How's this?" and proceeded to kneel, presenting the ring!
Sarah was shocked, and out of surprise and disbelief laughingly said "no" a couple times before realizing that she needs to actually be saying yes!! When Dre rose to his feet they embraced and kissed, and Dre put the beautiful ring he'd chosen on her finger, and it fit perfectly. There was even a crowd of skiers, who'd gathered at first for the view but were now "awww"ing in the background. Dre asked Sarah if that was a yes- "Yes- Finally!" she laughed, unable to help herself, since she very obviously can't wait to marry Dre.
Natalia had filmed the occasion and she with Gavin and Blake were all cheering along with a handful of passerby. Sarah, Dre and the family went into the Cafe at the top of the mountain and celebrated with a toast.
They came down the gondola and partied with the rest of Dre's family back in the suite, and enjoyed the rest of a weekend of family meals, hot tubs, and shopping at Loon and Conway.
