In December of 2021, Dan, who is not sneaky at all, asked Eva if she wanted to go on an impromptu roadtrip to Grand Marais to try to see the northern lights. She knew what the ulterior motive was but she is a good theater kid so she didn't break the fourth wall. On the drive, they listened to Sigur Ros and watched the sun set and the moon rise as the road unspooled through gorgeous North Shore naturescapes. At one point Dan said something like "If something goes horribly awry this weekend, is it okay if I don't do something that you might think I'm going to do?" Eva said that that was fine, but what could possibly go awry? When they got to Grand Marais, they checked into their cute bird themed motel and walked along the edge of Lake Superior and admired what was probably the most charming town in America. Later, they headed out up a long road called Gunflint Trail that ends at an overlook that is one of the darkest places in the country. Along the way, they stopped to stargaze. The moon was so bright and the snow was so white that at one point they thought someone had put the fairy lights in the trees, then realized it was just snowflakes shining in the moonlight! It was a lovely night of romance and adventure... Until everything went horribily awry! The troubles began when they got stuck in a snowbank in the middle of nowhere. After several hours of attempting to dig their way out with an ice scraper and a sled, and repeatedly trying (and failing) to get through to 911, they decided to spend the night in the car. They woke up the next morning to the most beautiful vista in the entire world-- sage green trees disappearing into the clouds across the lake, coyote tracks circling the car, soft flurries all around. They walked to a campground where they were finally able to get phone service and successfully call 911. A tow truck came to pull them out, and they got engaged while they waited! (Photo cred goes to the confused but amiable tow truck driver.) It wasn't how either of us pictured it happening, but we are proud of the grace & love with which we comported ourselves throughout the whole saga, and it only reiterated that we want to be by each other's sides throughout the rest of life's many (mis)adventures. We couldn't have dreamed up a more beautiful moment, and we are nothing if not dreamers.