What started with a Beavers Bend birthday weekend, ended with an engagement.
Cabins. Friends. Packed cooler. No intensive planning or headaches – just pure getaway. That was the thought process for Jacquelyn when she and her boyfriend of two years, Sam, headed to McCurtain County from Oklahoma City on a Friday afternoon in May.
To Jacquelyn, this trip was simply a birthday celebration for her best friend, Britta, and a brief hiatus from routine. Sam had other plans. With Britta’s help and some clever scheduling, he put an incredible proposal in the works for unsuspecting Jacquelyn.
“Sam and I travel a lot. He knew he wanted to propose on a trip, but I’m usually the trip planner, so he needed a valid excuse as to why I wouldn’t be planning the trip. Britta planned her birthday trip as a relaxing getaway in the woods, somewhere we could all easily get to after work on Friday,” says Jacquelyn.
With a luxury cabin booked in Hochatown, and their sights set on hitting as many restaurants as possible, hiking, and of course, Britta’s favorite place – the Hochatown Petting Zoo, the group of friends made the most of everything available in McCurtain.
After a couple of full days, the couple decided to squeeze in one last hike before heading back home.
“I thought we were leaving on Sunday. He woke me up that morning and asked if I wanted to go on an easy hike to a good reading spot – we were both finishing our books. We sat at the top of the trail, overlooking Beavers Bend, reading for awhile. When we got up to leave, I turned around and Sam was down on one knee!”
Sam was proposing – with her grandmother Ruby’s ring.
And extending their trip.
He had made arrangements with Jacquelyn’s boss to keep her out of office a bit longer. With a few extra days added to their McCurtain experience, they’d be turning their group trip into a romantic getaway.
“I was shocked and thrilled! And I knew Sam would be relieved to finally stop hiding this big plan from me. He told me right after we got engaged that everyone else would be leaving the cabin, but we would be there until Wednesday. We had nothing to do but relax, go on long walks, and bask in our engagement glow.”
Beautiful views, adventure, a perfect proposal with a treasured family heirloom – all disguised as a quick trip with friends.
Excellent work Sam, and congrats you lovebirds.
