The Engagement
July 28th, 2019
In May 2019, I sat in my Kindergarten classroom in Amsterdam gazing at my phone screen, nostalgically looking at a photo of Cas with all of my siblings. He was now flying KLM’s Boeing 777 and on a layover in San Francisco, where they were currently living. I was so happy that they could all meet up. Little did I know that that next morning, he was hopping on a secret flight to Portland for just 24 hours to ask my parents something very important.
He arrived in PDX on May 27th, jet legged and with a suit in hand. He took the Max and a cab to the restaurant far too early and changed there, anxious and a bit nervous. He had prepared a whole speech in his phone that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stick to. With him he carried, a beautiful ring- simple and classic like I’d always wanted- but picked out completely by him because of how the setting was made to resemble the South African flower. He had seen it while walking past a jewellery shop on a layover in Cape Town, South Africa and knew right away it was the one. We had tried on rings over the past year in New Zealand and Germany so it only seemed fitting that the ring remain a global treasure. Enlisting the KLM crew for help, he managed to get the ring back into The Netherlands safe and sound to be officially approved by the women in both of our lives and then later to be shown off to mom and dad that night.
Long story short, mom and dad gave Cas their blessing. He stayed the night at our house in Portland that night and was off the next morning, back to San Francisco to fly the airplane home to Amsterdam. A quick and memorable trip.
The next plan of action was the proposal. As many of you know, we’ve dreamed of a long term Asia trip for years. After our three month adventure in 2017 was postponed due to Cas’ motorcycle accident, we’d never quite been able to work it into our plans. We’d been toying with the idea of going to Vietnam in June 2019 which to Cas, seemed like the perfect time for a proposal. Then events in the West family took precedence and we found ourselves happily back in Oregon, instead. With Aubrey and Zack’s engagement festivities being celebrated, Cas didn’t feel right doing it in their moment. So, he waited, patiently.
A few weeks later, the West family arrived in Amsterdam. Days went by as we explored various cities in Holland, Cas still waiting patiently for the right moment. Meanwhile, my parent’s were growing less and less patient, knowing it could happen at any time and wondering when in the world he was going to do it?!
On July 28th, 2019 we drove up to Friesland, a northern province in The Netherlands, where Cas’ parents live. We had plans to go sailing on their beautiful ship for the day, stop in some adorable nearby villages, and be home in time for a lovely, summer BBQ. Before getting on the boat and as I disappeared to grab some bags from the car, Cas threw some rose petals on the ground and asked the family to stand over by the boat.
When I emerged from the house, Cas grabbed my hand and led me out to the scenic backyard. I remember thinking the way he was holding my hand was different than usual, clenched with a definite purpose and most likely a few nerves. Still I had no idea what was about to come. As we got closer to the boat, the thought crossed my mind that the way our families were standing was strange. What were they waiting for? Why weren’t they on the boat yet? Why were they looking at us? Then I noticed the rose petals. Immediately after, I saw Cas’ face. Not one to hide his emotions well, it was written all over him. A bit shaky and full of beautiful words, he managed an emotional and perfect proposal. In true Cas form, he had managed to not only completely surprise me (which I really didn’t think he’d be able to do) but to also surprise every one else, as well.
The rest of the day, we enjoyed beautiful weather and time together on the Ijselmeer, as we sailed our way out and back for the BBQ. It was such a special moment to have shared with the family since it’s such a rare occasion to all be together in this international relationship of ours.
While Cas patiently awaited the right proposal, another adventure caught up with us in the meantime. On July 13th, we learned we would be welcoming a third member to our little family. We were overjoyed, as it was news we had been welcome to for quite some time though maybe we underestimated how quickly it would happen :) While the engagement did not take place because of the baby and the baby did not take place because of the marriage, it is safe to say that this little one was forging his very own path from the beginning; just the way mom and dad like to do it, too.
We were so excited to share the news with our families while they were together. A true family engagement.