After I already knew Matt had the ring and asked my Dad’s permission to marry me, I was awfully suspicious when Matt planned a "Birthday weekend" in Marquette, MI. We spent the weeks leading up to the trip discussing the sites to see and what we would do during our visit. I told Matt about every other day that I thought he would propose during this weekend. I thought for sure I would make him slip up, but he didn't, he always just denied that it was going to happen, but never got angry - which raised my suspicions even more. We drove up to Marquette on Friday and on the way to the hotel, I, of course, pointed out all the important things to know about my favorite college town - where to get Shoops, how icy the hills can get in the winter, all the places I lived, where the best places are to eat - if he didn't understand before, he now knew how important that place is to me. After we checked into the hotel, we got ready to head to Presque Isle Park. As we started driving around in the park, Matt asked for a good spot to stop and get out and look at the scenery. I found a lookout spot and we stopped. I walked over to the lookout, but I noticed Matt was lagging behind. As I took in the beauty of the overlook - the rock formations and pretty blue Lake Superior - Matt came behind and took it in for himself. He was acting kind of weird, but I insisted on a selfie before we left the spot. Matt asked if there was another place for us to go, I said absolutely, and we headed back to the car to drive up the road to Black Rocks. At Black Rocks, I headed straight for the cliff famous for jumping on hot summer days. It was late in the day and it was windy, both making it a little cooler than I would ever want to jump in, but that didn’t stop others from jumping. Matt kept a safe distance from the cliff so he couldn’t actually see people jump. While I thought he was nervous about the height, looking back, he was probably trying to plan the proposal. After a bit, Matt asked if there was a place we could go with less people. We drove to another lookout, known for its sunsets, that was packed, just in time for the sunset. Matt asked if we could drive around the park again to find a spot that wasn’t busy with people. We did, but the park just got busier. We headed to dinner at Casa Calabria. We had a nice dinner and then headed back to the hotel, but no proposal. The next morning we went to the Farmer’s Market and went into the shops downtown, Matt said we should go check out Presque Isle again. We drove over to the park, but it was closed due to a marathon going on. Matt asked if there were other pretty spots that we could go to - of course! As we started driving, Matt noticed the beach and asked if we could stop there. We took some selfies with the Oar Dock and then began walking on the beach. As we walked, Matt kept pulling me closer to him. He then stopped and pulled me towards him, kissed me, and he said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I said, “So you can visit Marquette every year?” He didn’t answer but was reaching in his pocket while hugging me and asking, “Will you marry me?” I said, “Well yea,” in a “duh” voice. He then got down on one knee and pulled out the ring in a Kleenex. His voice got shaky and he said, “You make me a better person and I can’t imagine my life without you.” I put out my hand and he wouldn’t put the ring on until I answered him. “Will you marry me?” “Yes!” After I said, “Yes!” Matt tried putting the ring on my finger. It didn’t fit. It was still very beautiful and so shiny - it was perfect. We then walked back a little ways and I said we should sit down and take the moment in. We sat down in the sand and Matt pouted that the ring didn’t fit. I kept telling him how much I loved the ring and how pretty it was. We took a picture and Matt told me about the party he planned with friends and family. We then headed to the car, where we called and texted our closest friends and family.