In one of the most beautiful things ever [to spy on] my Son proposes to his longtime girlfriend over the 4th of July weekend. While both sets of parents and other close family watched on from a distance. I was hiding behind a tree trunk when this moment occurred, luckily a photographer captured all the great moments for both families to enjoy.

Instead of staying with other family members back off in the distance I decided to try and get a closer view. I happened upon a group of kayakers in the parking lot adjacent to where the couple set up their picnic. Once I informed the kayakers why I was sneaking around they volunteered to let me hide behind one of their boats since they were carrying them to the water anyway. That seemed successful enough [ and I thanked them] but I couldn’t much fit behind that tree trunk so I feared ever peaking around it. Once she accepted his proposal all the family members rushed over to celebrate and tears were flowing, I teared up two or three times myself. Then we all moved to the after party my Son planned with immediate family members, a couple cousins, and fifty of the couple’s closest friends. It was a good time to be had by all, much to the surprise of his now fiancee’.

There’s an important “take-away” here I think for everyone that happens upon this post, a life lesson. After watching this whole thing play out, I am so proud of my Son for doing everything the right way – from asking her parents for permission for her hand in marriage months before to planning all the events leading up to his proposal on one knee for all to see. I thought to myself, isn’t this great stuff from a young man? He showed the ultimate respect for her and her family and I salute him on a job well done! What if every young couple in America started out their lives together this way… could we have a better world?