Willie and I started writing our love story 9 years ago.  We were young, a little bit wild, and we were crazy about each other. Some could say that we were the definition of a summer romance.  Being that we were both young and Willie was leaving for the Navy in a few short months nothing became of our romance; except for one amazing friendship.

We always kept in touch even while he was overseas and made a habit of getting together each time he was home on leave.  Once we were finally in a position to start dating, everything just clicked.  From there we picked up where we left off and continued to write our love story.  It was that easy.   We are two best friends that fell in love.

Earlier this January Willie and I went on a vacation to Mexico.  Neither of us had been before so we were very excited.  Little did I know this was going to be a trip that I would never forget.  We arrived at our resort and it was beautiful.  Like most people coming from cold weather we headed straight to the beach.  I love the ocean and everything about it so that is exactly where I headed.  After finding lounge chairs closer to the water I decided I wanted to move our things there.  My sister-in-law suggested I go help Willie move everything, which I found odd because all we needed to move was my purse and flip flops, but I went anyway.

When I reached the spot where Willie was waiting for me the scenery was flawless.  The bright blue ocean was at his back, the white sand at his feet, and the beautiful blue sky didn’t have a cloud in sight.  Standing in front of me  was my handsome fiancé trying to hold back his smiles.  As I looked down I saw the sand beneath my feet had a message that read “Lakin Will You Marry Me?”

At first I didn’t believe him.  I just kept laughing and saying “Are you serious?!”  This time it was the real deal.  My prince charming was down on one knee handing me the most beautiful engagement ring I had ever seen.

All engagement rings are very special, but mine is more than that.   My ring is made up of several diamonds that are from Willie’s late grandmother’s wedding ring.  The famous designer Peter Storm created this ring himself after speaking directly with Willie at a Design Show at Denney Jewelers in September.  All these things together make my ring all the more special.  Willie and I are very excited about our engagement and we are very thankful to Denney Jewelers for helping us to write this VERY special chapter in our love story.

As such, I had a birthday/graduation party to celebrate my accomplishments.  My husband gave tribute to these accomplishments and presented me with diamonds, furs, and pearls. 

I knew going into the show that Jeremy was going on stage with his friend Jared to wish their mutual friend Nikki, a happy birthday (she volunteers with the Muni), so I didn’t think anything of it. Well about 5 minutes before the show was to start, Jeremy comes running from the back grabs my hand and tells me: “Jared backed out on me and I can’t go up there alone I’m too nervous.” (Everyone around me knows what is going on) my response to him “Um no.. I’m not going up there.  That is Jared and your thing, I’m not doing it.”

By that time he had already had me on my feet dragging me behind him. As we were standing back stage  all I could do was tell him “I’m going to kill Jared the next time I see him.” (I have horrible stage fright) So then they started the announcement for the show and said “Before we start off the night we have a couple here to wish one of the cast members a happy birthday.” So we go out on stage and Jeremy takes the microphone from the announcer. He starts his speech about how he wasn’t going to let me get off scott-free without coming up there with him.

He starts saying, “So this is the part where I come up here and tell everybody that I’m here to wish a cast member a happy birthday; except that is a total lie. So this is where Casey finds out the truth. On the count of three I want everyone on this side (points to the left side of the audience) to say Casey Backstein marry this man!”

(I was in total shock when he said this)

“Okay 1,2,3..” He holds his arms up to the crowd and they said it- and he says “That is not good enough, how about everyone on this side?” (points to the right side of the audience) on the count of three 1,2,!

After they said it, he continued, “You guys don’t really mean it? Alright how about everybody together… On the count of three, give it all you got; let’s make this the best night of her life, because she has been here, she’s been by my side thick and thin. So on the count of three 1,2,3…”  All 200+ people in the audience shouted ” Casey Backstein marry this man!”

Then he said, “Well they are all for it!” and and he asked the crowed, “So is this the part where I get down on one knee? Is this it?”

They all yelled “YES!!” So he gets down on one knee and my hands cover my mouth and I begin to cry and he says to me, “Baby you have been here for me for everything, you are the best person in my life, will you be Mrs. Hughes?”

Bawling and shaking my head up and down I said yes, and he hugged me, and everyone was clapping and yelling; and he says into the microphone, “Kiss me they’re waiting.”

After more laughter, he told he crowd thank you very much and he really appreciated it, and we walked off stage. Backstage everyone knew what was going on before hand they were waiting to take pictures and tell us congratulations. We went back to our family and friends and everyone was hugging and crying. It really was the most romantic night of my life, and because of one of my good friends it was all caught on video.

My birthday party was planned at a Wrigleyville rooftop in Chicago…I’m a lifelong Cubs fan and have always wanted to experience the rooftops!  Shortly before our trip to Chicago, he was trying to let me down easy and told me he wasn’t going to get me the ring right now.  While roasting in the hot August sun and trying to enjoy the game, we finally got a moment to sit down together.  He had just opened a bag of Cracker Jacks and asked if I wanted some.  I quickly responded, “I want to find the prize!!”  Just inside the package I discovered a little bag and pulled it out to find my ring!!!!!  I was shocked to say the least.

Four months later, just before Christmas and our first anniversary, he told me that the jeweler had called and wanted to check out my ring because some other customers had been having problems with the prongs.  I reluctantly let my ring go back to the shop.  On New Year’s Eve night he had gone to pick up my ring for me.  When he came home I was anxious to have it back, so he went and got it from the car.  He explained that they had to do some work to it, but it should be good to go now.  I opened the box to find an eternity band had been added to the ring!!!

Scott’s final move in creating the beginning of our lives came at our St. Patrick’s Day party.  Scott had started a new business, a hotdog cart of all things, so we invited family and friends to come over and celebrate the cart being ready to go.  While Scott was “manning the cart”, I was visiting with friends when he tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wanted a hotdog.  Just as I was about to say “No thank you,” I turned around to see another eternity band sitting on the end of the hotdog!!!  He asked me if I would marry him, and of course I said YES!!!  Now every time I look at my ring I remember those three special occasions and look forward to our future together.

We stumbled upon a beautiful bed and breakfast down by Alton.  It was amazing!  We were greeted with champagne and unrivaled kindness.  The antique furniture and atmosphere was so romantic.  We checked in and took a scenic drive by the river down to Grafton.  Then we found a quiet table at a local winery.  It was nice to soak up some sun and just enjoy the beautiful day.

Next , we walked up the trail to McAdams Peak by Pere Marquette.  We reached the peak and got lost in the gorgeous horizon overlooking the fall landscape.  It was so peaceful and we couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque day.  The peak has wood pillars which many have used over the years to carve their initials as a declaration of love.  He began carving his initials and then stopped after only marking my first initial.  I, of course, asked him why he left off my last initial.

He then got down on one knee and asked “Rachael, will you let me spend the rest of my life making you happy?”   I was completely shocked and overwhelmed with joy!  I didn’t take him seriously until I saw the ring!  It was the most stunning I’ve ever seen!  We held each other tight for a while, not wanting to move past the moment.  Neither of us could stop smiling as we walked hand-in-hand down the trail.  We made our way back to Alton for a fancy dinner at Gentelin’s and a romantic evening at the bed and breakfast.

We are so very happy and I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend!  It was truly a dream come true!