08/24/2020

If you are looking for romance you may want to turn back..

It was the August of 2020, Carly was still recovering from the after effects of Covid-19 and Dave was about to graduate with his DPT. In addition to having zero short term memory, taste, smell, or patience Carly was preparing for her big Capstone examination in order to maintain her place at Dominican College. To make up for Carlys deficits, Dave stepped up his game in the memory and patience department. Somehow and someway Dave found the time in the craziness to plan out a “road trip to remember” for the two of them in celebration for the end of capstone, a difficult year, and most importantly his amazing accomplishments of graduating from PT school and passing his boards (first try!!).

The day after graduation Carly and Dave packed up the truck with camping gear and dogs as they set off for a surprise of a lifetime. Carly didn’t quite understand why it was necessary to drive two days straight to Jackson, WY without stopping. Was all this driving, sleeping in rest-stops, and one highly questionable lodging site really the way to enjoy a road trip? Turns out the answer was “Yes”.

It turns out that all of the rushed driving through summer construction would be absolutely worth it since Dave had locked in the first cabin they had ever stayed at in Jackson, the cabin where they had stayed on the prior summer road trip, and the cabin where they fell in love with the Tetons and even more in love with each other. I must warn you though, this is where the romance of the story ends.

The weather was absolutely horrendous the day they arrived. It was a very chilly summer day and the rain was just being dumped down from the heavens. In typical Maber fashion, Carly decided to venture out in the rains with Brooklyn to explore and Dave opted for a much needed hot shower. Upon Carly’s return she dried Brooklyn off with a towel and plopped down on the couch. Not too long after Dave emerge from the shower, joined Carly and Brooklyn on the couch, and proceeded to tell Carly that this is the place to get engaged as he pushed the ring onto her finger. It is still up for debate whether Dave actually every asked Carly to marry him or if she ever had the opportunity to answer.

At the end of the day it really is the thought that counts. Dave planned out a truly amazing trip for the two of them to their most special place after a year of maximal stress and little opportunity for travel. He had a more romantic plan for the proposal (at the top of Carlys most favorite peak) but was nervous that he would drop the ring at some point during the 10 mile journey to get there. What 2020 taught us best is that you never know what tomorrow will bring so why not make the most out of every opportunity?