Ashley and Clay are constantly looking for opportunities to "get away" from the hustle of everyday life. So, for Ashley's 25th birthday, Clay planned a trip to the Northern Coast town of Point Arena for a weekend of relaxation. While the trip did present the benefit of allowing Ashley her much needed weekend vacation, Clay had planned one additional moment that would impact their lives forever.
After spending weeks searching for the perfect center diamond to place into a "Hearts on Fire" setting that he knew that Ashley would love, Clay finally found "The Diamond" in a vault on the East Coast and had it shipped immediately. Upon receipt of the diamond, a custom setting was made to ensure that the diamond would never be lost.
So, with ring in hand, Clay and Ashley set off to Point Arena... The drive was long, weaving in and out of giant redwood trees and past wine country. Upon arriving in Point Arena, Clay and Ashley checked into the Ocean View suite that Clay had reserved for the weekend and set out to watch the sunset on a secluded beach down the road.
After purchasing a bottle of wine and with 2 plastic cups in hand, they set off, down a trail to the secluded beach to watch the sunset. The setting was perfect. There was a fallen tree, perfect for sitting; There were sandstone walls with names from previous visitors surrounding the beach; There was a perfectly unobstructed view of the ocean and the light sound of small waves crashing into the shore.
Clay opened the bottle of wine and poured each of them a plastic cup to enjoy with the sunset. They then began carving their names into the soft sandstone surrounding the beach to pass the time: "Ashley + Clay Forever". Clay then told Ashley to go sit on the fallen tree while he carved something else into a blank spot in the sandstone. But he had to hurry, the sun was setting fast. Finally, when he had finished, he called Ashley over to see what he had drawn.
Naturally, while she was strolling over she thought that he had drawn something funny and/or obscene, but when she stooped to see what it said, she was shocked to see the words, "Will U Marry Me?".
Turning around quickly with hand over mouth and tears in her eyes, Ashley saw Clay on one knee with "The Ring" extended towards her. What was said next, you will have to imagine...
“My heart to you is given: Oh, do give yours to me; Well lock them up together, And throw away the key.”
--Frederick Saunders
--Frederick Saunders