Our Last Day... Oh, And The Story You've Been Waiting For

Friday July 20th was our last day in Hawaii.  Talk about heartbreaking!  It was so hard to leave after only a week.  What a wonderful trip!  It was so nice to be with my family and have a full week with Travis without work.
My family flew out at 8:00 a.m. and Travis and I didn't have a flight until 9:00 that night.  So, we went with the fam to the airport and rented our own car (a Mustang convertible!) and headed back to the condo.  I slept for another hour and a half while Travis watched TV and then it was time to be out.
We had spent quite a bit of time trying to plan what we were going to do to entertain ourselves for the entire day.  When we went to bed Thursday night it seemed as though we would spend most of the day at the Sea Life Park.  However, when we got up Friday Travis had changed his mind and wanted to head back toward the north side of the island.  He was insistent and could not be swayed, so that's where we went.

This is the courtyard where we stayed.  The ponds were full of huge fish and we even saw a turtle one day.

The main living area of the condo.  It was so incredibly beautiful and absolutely perfect for us!

Our balcony with a view of the ocean.

Travis decided our first stop of the day would be the Dole Pineapple Plantation.  Here he is imitating a commonly seen pose. :)

We took the informational train ride around the plantation.  After 20 minutes what did Travis learn?  The Dole Pineapple Plantation was started by James Dole.  Yep, that's all wer remembered.

My handsome boyfriend trying his best to pay attention.

Next stop on Travis' itinerary... Jameson's By The Sea for lunch.  We thought these trees were pretty cool, although they don't look as interesting in the pictures.



There is always a great view wherever you are on the island.  I love it!

The view from our table at lunch.

Then, since we were just down the street we just had to go back to Motsimoto's for one more shave ice.  It's really challenging to convince Travis to smile nicely for a picture.

After 2 tried I gave up.

I got sweetened condensed milk on my shave ice this time.  HEAVENLY!  Oh, so so so good.

Next Travis was determined to go back to the Laie Temple.  Yes, we had been already been there on Monday, but he just insisted we go back.  So, we made a deal.  We'd walk around for a little bit and then head to the Sea Life Park.  I was really worried that we would run out of things to do!  We finished lunch probably about 1:00 and still had hours before our flight.  Plus, I like sea animals. :)

When we first got there we headed into the visitors' center and chatted with the missionaries for a minute and then made our way out behind the temple.  We sat on the stairs directly behind the temple for a few minutes, but then Travis decided the sunshine was bothering his sunburn (he got FRIED on Thursday) so we moved to the back corner.  It was a beautiful area shaded by a huge banyan tree.  We sat on the marble benches there and just talked for awhile (I don't remember what we talked about, otherwise I would tell you).  Then Travis decided we needed some pictures, so I gave him my camera and all of these are what we ended up with.

After we'd been sitting in the back for a little while a family came up to our original spot on the stairs to take family pictures.  We watched them for awhile and then realized a couple of the sons were watching us too.  It was a little weird to have an audience.

Still in the back corner.  Unknown to me Travis is holding a secret in his fist. 

When he felt as though he had enough pictures he decided we needed to walk down to the front of the temple.  I followed asking, "Are you ready to go yet?"  Hey, I had a plan and I don't like not being able to follow my plan.

We walked to the front of the temple and Travis wanted to go stand by the fountains.  I would not for 2 reasons:  1. He had spent the entire trip threatening to throw me in water and I was not having that! 2.  A bride and groom had just come out of the temple and were down in front having pictures taken.  I did not want to photo bomb those pictures, that would stink to have 2 tourists pulling faces in the background of your wedding photos.  So, we kept walking down to the front entrance.  Off to the side there is a little alcove containing a sculpture and explanations of all the sculptures along the top of the temple.  We walked around in there for several minutes (with me asking another time, "Are you ready?" and Travis determined now to talk about the Book of Mormon).  We read the placques and attempted deep spiritual conversation, which I found odd considering we don't really do that... ever.  Travis had been all sorts of overly chatty and rambly and I couldn't figure him out, I was just ready for our next activity.

When we finished reading the explanations we stood in the corner and Travis gave me a big hug and when he stepped back he had tears in his eyes (first time I've EVER seen that! So, of course everyone who reads this needs to know that Travis Rogers has tear ducts, a heart, and feelings!  Don't let him ever tell you otherwise) and he held up the most beautiful ring ever and asked, "Will you marry me?"  What a perfect moment!  My Travis is all sorts of thoughtful and romantic.  What was my reply?  "Really?!"  Yes friends, when Travis proposed to me I said, "Really?!"  He reassured me that he was serious and then I said, "Yes!"  It was perfect.  It was perfect for us.  We got engaged in Hawaii at the temple!  There wasn't an audience, it was simple and thoughtful, absolutely perfect.





And my ring is perfect.  I had no say in what it looked like and I am in love with it.  It's totally something I would have chosen for myself.  Travis has always known that I wanted everything to be a surprise, including the ring and he delivered.  It's beautiful and I'm honored to wear it.

We realized that we had spent quite a bit of time at the temple and it was probably time to head toward the airport.  I couldn't imagine leaving such a wonderful moment, but now we just have to go back....  Every month. :) 

The drive toward the airport was amazing!  We hadn't been through the center of the island yet, but this drive took us that direction.  It was so green and incredible.  These pictures just don't do it justice.  I was in awe.  That day couldn't have been any better.

I wanted nothing more than to send my mom a picture so when she turned on her phone as she got off the plane in Salt Lake she would have a surprise.  Travis wouldn't let me.  He said my parents would be mad to get that news via text.  That meant I had to keep this a secret until Saturday morning when my parents picked us up from the airport.  Travis hadn't told anyone this was going to happen, he wanted it to be a surprise for everyone and didn't want to risk someone telling me or giving hints.  So, we then spent a ton of time trying to figure out how to tell my parents.  Yikes!

My new fiance in our convertible.

Seriously so beautiful!

Can you see my new sparkly ring?

We surived the unorganized airport and the long wait in line (it's a good thing Travis decided just to head to the airport, we had to wait in line forever!).  The flight home was long, and we both managed only a couple hours of sleep.

My parents picked us up in Salt Lake Saturday morning at 9:30 and we loaded the luggage and climbed into the car.  My dad started driving and Travis looked at me like, "When are you going to say something?!"  So, I handed my ring up front and said, "Um... Travis has something to show you."  He looked a little shocked and said, "I do?"  My mom grabbed the ring and both parents said, "That's not funny.  Quit joking you guys.  This isn't even real.  You're not even funny."  Ummm.....  When Travis and I didn't really have a response my mom figured it out and got all excited.  My dad didn't say another word.

We were dropped off at our houses, showered and headed to Lindon to talk to Travis' parents.  They had the exact same response as my parents!  I guess when you joke about the subject for a year and a half it's a little like crying wolf.  Travis' dad's response when he realized we weren't joking has been one of my favorites.  He grabbed Travis by the shoulders and started shaking all while whooping and hollering and yelled, "You're a man now!"  SO stinking hilarious!  I will always remember that.

This trip was great.  I am so grateful to my parents for allowing Travis and me to tag along.  I couldn't have asked for a better ending.

Now, to answer the often asked questions....

No, we don't have a date.  Still working on that.

No, I don't know what my colors will be, but my mom took me to Home Depot last week to pick out paint chips (yes, she's good like that) and I think we're leaning toward cranberry and plum.  Pretty!

We will be getting married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

No, we don't have a reception center.  We don't know what the reception will be like.  We're hoping to keep things simple and small, but that's looking a little challenging at this point.

No, we don't know what food will be served.  However, root beer floats is sort of my style......  How awesome would that be?!

We will be living in my house.  We're already discussing storage options for the garage for all the football and hunting gear. :)

Yes, I'm happy.  Travis makes me feel safe when I'm with him.  He's a good man and a hard worker.  We will most likely drive each other crazy a lot but he's very loyal and he loves me.  He supports me in the things I do and I look forward to helping him meet his many goals.

I think those are the most asked questions.  As I get new answers I will update.

I am a very blessed person.  I never thought this would happen for me, and I had resigned myself to that fact.  Travis has been a blessing in my life and I love having him around.  I am excited for the future and the new possibilities.

July 20th, a day that will go down in history as a great day.