Monday, February 3, 2014

5 Years (and some BIG news...)

...Ben and I are engaged!


This weekend, we celebrated five years of being together and Ben took me on a tour of waterfalls through the Columbia Gorge. Like any good blogger's boyfriend fiance (!!), he brought the tripod and camera remote so that we could collect five photos, for five years, in front of five waterfalls. Needless to say, exploring the misty, mossy, chilly gorge was beautiful and perfect. We sipped tea at the second waterfall, Wakheena, we ate bread and cheese at the third, and most famous, Multnomah Falls. There's not a lot that says "I love you" more than cheese and a hunk of bread. 


The first stop was Bridal Veil falls and it was a short set of falls but totally gorgeous an empty. An empty waterfall viewing area is hard to come by along the highway, so we relished it.








Along the route, we kept seeing snow-capped rock faces, and dusted snowy treetops in the hills. It was ten times more breathtaking than these images up in the Cascade Locks near the Bridge of the Gods. I wish I could bottle up the entire drive and share it here, as these photos hardly cut it.




We ended the scavenger hunt of waterfalls at the Columbia Gorge Hotel - a historic hotel built in the 1920s that used to house steamship passengers. The interior was wonderfully quaint and the bedrooms updated but still in keeping with the rest of the hotel. There's actually a hand-operated elevator in the building that a porter has to operate. So neat.

That night in our room, the motion sensor lights kept going on and off in the closet and Ben and I felt a little creeped out. We shut the closet door and banished the thought of eerie things from our heads until the next morning when I, the googling machine, looked up "Columbia Gorge Hotel haunting?" and found a big list of paranormal sightings, ghost hunting trips, and stories associated with the hotel. During it's brief stint as a retirement home, there was an incinerator in the basement for the morgue, and the halls are reputably haunted by ghosts that lock bedroom doors and move furniture. Eek! A two for one deal - paranormal encounter and hotel stay.




This was the view from our hotel room - insanely gorgeous river views and the sun setting over Washington. 

Our evening of waterfalls ended with an amazing dinner and an even more amazing proposal. Naturally, I said yes, and we spent the rest of the weekend just admiring the fact that being engaged is both not so different from being committed to each other (without a promise and a ring) and yet so much more magical at the same time! 

We're now headed into the planning stages which are sure to absolutely drive me insane and give me some stress hives to rival all other cases of stress out there. If you have kernels of wisdom from your experience, lay 'em on me! I have a vision, but the little bits of advice are always the most appreciated. 

37 comments

  1. Woooooo you're engaged! So happy for you guys! Can't wait to celebrate soon! Enjoy all the excitement :)

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  2. Congratulations. These places are so beautiful.

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  3. Congratulations! What a beautiful place to get engaged at!

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  4. What wonderful news!! Congratulations! :D 5 years together with a cherry on top!

    Cheers,
    Kate x

    Artsy Abroad // http://artsyabroad.blogspot.com

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  5. Congratulations!! That's such a lovely story. And such beautiful pictures from your trip!!
    My fiance and I got engaged six months ago, after also dating for five years. :)
    It's such an exciting time! And it is easy to get stressed with the planning. But, you seem like you have a great head on your shoulders, so I think you'll do a great job with the planning.

    ~Bristol
    colourmebristol.blogspot.com

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  6. congratulations!!!!
    beautiful pics
    x
    http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au

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  7. OH MY GOODNESS! First of all, amazing, beautiful photos. Second, CONGRATULATIONS! Can't wait to follow along with the planning and wedding details. Happy Tuesday!

    Silver
    A Silver Snapshot
    asilversnapshot@hotmail.com

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  8. CONGRATS!!! sooo happy for you! let the wedding planning begin!!!!!!

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

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  9. What an amazing adventure! All the best to you and Ben!
    http://cofcorals.blogspot.ca/

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  10. Congratulations! Such a beautiful place to get engaged!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  11. Congratulations! So happy for you and Ben!

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  12. YYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! I really wondered if you were getting engaged this weekend when you were posting photos via Instagram. I am so happy for you!

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  13. Congratulations! What a sweet story & it is so special that you have these gorgeous pictures to remember it by. Enjoy the planning stages - I think it is more fun than what people say & I've done it 90% on my own!!
    xx
    Here&Now
    Enter my current giveaway!

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  14. Oh my goodness! Congratulations! That is such exciting and wonderful news. These pictures are gorgeous and the wedding planning process is really fun. Enjoy every moment!
    xo Dina
    http://www.sweetestsomethings.com

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  15. congratulations! what a beautiful place to get engaged. you must be so excited :) can't wait to hear about all of your wedding planning.

    xo,
    gabby
    www.likealittlefox.blogspot.com

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  16. Congratulations!!! Enjoy every single moment!
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

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  17. Congratulations! Those waterfalls are breathtaking (and I'm sure even more so in person). Good luck with wedding plans!

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  18. Congratulations!! These photos are amazing and you guys look so happy and in love!

    xo Amy

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  19. gorgeous photos!!! and Congratulations!! Your smile radiates your happiness!! This year is all about weddings! I have 3 family members getting married this year and a good friend that got engaged last october! all I know is that pinterest has oodles of ideas for inspiration!

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  20. Congrats!! The pictures are so lovely.

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  21. That is such exciting news! Congrats! Sounds like you've got a sweet hubby-to-be :)

    http://kacieskloset.blogspot.com/

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  22. Congratulations!! You both look so happy and cute together! And the falls are such a romantic and beautiful place <3

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  23. Congarts to you guys! I have been engaged since last September of 2012 and we are getting married this summer in Walla Walla. It has been stressful but also really fun. Yay!

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  24. CONGRATS!!! You look gorgeous and so happy!
    x
    Missy
    Popofstyle.com

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  25. omg congrats! looks like such a great time also!!

    francesca from Frank Vinyl

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  26. These photos are absolutely stunning and congratulations!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

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  27. Congratulations!!! The idea to take the five photos is the sweetest and most adorable thing I've heard all week! As for advice, I'm only 14, so I probably won't be much help, but Fleur on YouTube had a wedding and it was absolutely gorgeous. You can check out the video here and if you liked that, she has a channel dedicated to wedding stuff if you're interested. Good luck with everything!

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  28. So amazing, the pictures and engagement! Congratulations. As I have never been married, my advice would come from my experience as a Maid of Honor for my sister. It would be to take it easy, and to surround yourself with positive supportive people that help make it great. Enjoy the planning. :))

    Sincerely,
    Tania
    http://inspiremyfancy.blogspot.com

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  29. So exciting! Congratulations :0

    kyleedell.blogspot.com

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  30. That's crazy that you had a ghost encounter in the hotel. But it makes for a great story!. CONGRATS on the engagement. Sounds like an awesome way to get proposed to. He really set the bar high!
    xo
    Tiffy
    CuteLA.com

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  31. big congrats to you both! and looks like an amazing weekend trip :)

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  32. Big congrats! Google doc your invite list. That way you don't have version control issues, you and he can add your people, your parents and in-laws can add people and it's all safe and sound. I would also do that same thing with your budget and tracking expenses.

    Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache

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  33. The photos are gorgeous!
    Congratulations!! So exciting :)

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