I was fortunate enough to head down to the world 4 times during my childhood, in fact I was there three times between 1998 and 1999. While I loved Disney I was far from a fanatic and in fact never returned with my family. It was likely a combination of my age and some family financial realities that kept us from the world.
Fast forward, May 2010... my girlfriend and I decided on a WDW vacation. I was beyond excited, as I had developed a passion for WDW and everything Disney later in life. Even better was the reality that my gf was just as, if not more, of a Disney freak as me. We don't own a home so we don't own Disney art or collectibles (this will obviously come with our future home purchase) but gf knew the layout of the MK like the back of her hand, had stayed on property several times, knows every lyric from every movie and so on and so forth. It was during that stay that I realized... Disney would be the place.
From that point on I saved every penny I had and purchased a beautiful solitaire stone from a local store. I hid the ring and prayed that a) she wouldn't find it, b) I didn't slip and let the cat out of the bag.
We were booked to stay the Beach Club for 5 nights. What a resort... we landed Sunday morning and my decision to "wing it" was kicking my butt. I wasn't sure where, when and how. I knew my girlfriend would find it tacky by the castle during fireworks so there was a challenge involved. I had discovered the perfect plan and the perfect venue.
I had purchased a "Mr and Mrs Mickey" pin set... and mentioned to Rachel that we should take a walk down the beach that overlooks the boardwalk. We sat on the swing and just talked about how amazing the first few days were and what we enjoyed. Then I said... hey, I got you a pin but you have to close your eyes. I pinned the Mrs. pin on her dress and told her she could look, when she opened her eyes and looked down I said..."you and me, we're in a club now" (as UP is one of our favorite movies) and then I got down on one knee and proposed. I'll never forget that swing at the Beach Club... its where my dreams came true. In some instance of magic or fate, as I slipped the ring on her finger... we sat back and just shared a few tears and overlooking the boardwalk we witnessed a meteroite fall across the sky as a streak of green gas (no joke, I am NOT making this up). Dreams truly do come true at Disney!
edit: the pins
Fast forward, May 2010... my girlfriend and I decided on a WDW vacation. I was beyond excited, as I had developed a passion for WDW and everything Disney later in life. Even better was the reality that my gf was just as, if not more, of a Disney freak as me. We don't own a home so we don't own Disney art or collectibles (this will obviously come with our future home purchase) but gf knew the layout of the MK like the back of her hand, had stayed on property several times, knows every lyric from every movie and so on and so forth. It was during that stay that I realized... Disney would be the place.
From that point on I saved every penny I had and purchased a beautiful solitaire stone from a local store. I hid the ring and prayed that a) she wouldn't find it, b) I didn't slip and let the cat out of the bag.
We were booked to stay the Beach Club for 5 nights. What a resort... we landed Sunday morning and my decision to "wing it" was kicking my butt. I wasn't sure where, when and how. I knew my girlfriend would find it tacky by the castle during fireworks so there was a challenge involved. I had discovered the perfect plan and the perfect venue.
I had purchased a "Mr and Mrs Mickey" pin set... and mentioned to Rachel that we should take a walk down the beach that overlooks the boardwalk. We sat on the swing and just talked about how amazing the first few days were and what we enjoyed. Then I said... hey, I got you a pin but you have to close your eyes. I pinned the Mrs. pin on her dress and told her she could look, when she opened her eyes and looked down I said..."you and me, we're in a club now" (as UP is one of our favorite movies) and then I got down on one knee and proposed. I'll never forget that swing at the Beach Club... its where my dreams came true. In some instance of magic or fate, as I slipped the ring on her finger... we sat back and just shared a few tears and overlooking the boardwalk we witnessed a meteroite fall across the sky as a streak of green gas (no joke, I am NOT making this up). Dreams truly do come true at Disney!
edit: the pins
Congratulations again and may you both be blessed with a lifetime of love, health, happines - and Disney magic 
