We’re Engaged!
When your day starts at 3:30 in the morning, you’re probably on your way to the snow. But it’s June, so Rachell & I had long since turned in our snowboards for the year. Instead we ate grapes Rachell fed me grapes while Ottmar serenaded us on the drive to Napa to catch a sunrise flight on a hot air balloon.
From over 2,000 feet up, we floated over the Napa Valley with breathtaking views; learning all sorts of things about balloons that will give us lots to talk about at parties. A delicious champagne brunch followed with our pilot, Ferrel Gray, and the rest of our flight. Bob Barbarick and his wife Cindy from Balloons Above the Valley, were kind enough to let me barter some consulting for the ride.
We worked off our full stomachs with a quiet stroll through downtown Napa before heading to Cakebread Winery; our first tour of the day.
Instead of dropping by several vineyards along Route 29 for tastings, we opted for more involved tours and special tastings for this special day. At Cakebread, Tim Gratchen gave us a mini-tour of the winery and gardens before serving up four fabulous recipes paired with four wines. Rachell took notes on how the components of the wine and food create an epicurean harmony, while I worked to refine my palate eat all the food. We both highly recommend you sample some Cakebread for yourself next time you’re out. She liked the reds… And I even liked the whites.
About a mile down the road is Niebaum-Coppola Winery, where David Liniak, the son of Rachell’s co-worker, Carolyn, was gracious enough to set us up with a complimentary tour and tasting. We learned all about why the Director of the Godfather makes such great wine.
All day I had been trying to forget that I’d later be getting down on one knee. After all, I couldn’t let on that this day was somehow more significant than I had been letting on. But in the midst of Kevin’s eloquent recitation of the history of the winery, my mind began to drift to the importance of the day, and of my love for the beauty beside me. It was truly a blessed day, with a blessed woman.
After taking advantage of David’s employee discount with a few more tastings and a few bottles of wine, we took a stroll through the vineyards. I stole a kiss from Rachell in one of the vineyard gardens and the surpise made for a great shot. But we still had more adventures for the day, so we left the vines for our last tasting…
Set high on a hill in the heart of the Carneros appellation stands the majestic Domaine Carneros chateau overlooking the Napa Valley. The setting truly is remarkable.
Walking up the grand staircase Rachell spotted the small balcony on the top floor with the table set for two.
“I wonder what sort of pretentious people get to sit up there?”
Rachell thought to herself
Needless to say, soon after arriving we were escorted up the stairs, through a long hallway, and up to the balcony with the table set for two. In order not to show my cards just yet, I acted just as blown away as she was. This wasn’t difficult, because it really is a remarkable setting, looking out to all of the Napa Valley from the top floor of a beautiful chateau, above our loyal subjects.
Our private server, Jude Cassel, treated us to three sparkling wines and three pinots complete with crackers, cheeses, fruits and nuts. After nearly two hours, Rachell and I shared our last toast accompanied by hand-crafted chocolate truffles. We stood overlooking the valley as I began sharing more about my love for Miss Rachell.
One thing they never tell you is how hard it is to actually transition to getting to one knee. I had played the moment in my mind a thousand times, but when you’re actually there, it’s far more difficult than imagined. When else is a particular set of words so tied into a body movement?
After many attempts, I finally told her once more of my love for her, stepped back, knelt, and looked up. I hope to recall that image of Rachell in my mind forever. She was so beautiful, so surprised, and so happy. Suddenly the words came easily, “Will you marry me?”.
The rest is a bit hazy, as my mind was racing faster than ever. Rachell cried and nodded and smiled and cried… From the balcony with the table set for two, in front of everyone in Napa, I hugged my beautiful fiance for the first time. With ring in hand, I finally stepped back to place the ring on her finger, sealing the deal. The guests and servers below cheered as we shared our engagement with the crowd.
We spent the last bit of our time at the chateau on the terrace, sharing stories of the day and taking pictures. And just before they locked the gates for closing, we escaped to Sonoma for our last adventure for the day. Following Jude’s advice, and with very full stomachs, we exchanged our picnic plans for a “short” hike to the Sonoma Overlook, where we watched the sunset over the Sonoma Valley.
May God be praised for weaving our lives together, and for orchestrating a day that was truly from the pages of a fairytale.
June 3rd, 2005 at 4:31 pm
Welcome to the family, Rachell!
June 4th, 2005 at 12:05 pm
Congratulations! This is so very exciitng. Brett and I look forward to our friendship and service together in the future as we minister as “Kingdom of God couples”, along with all the other equip couples that will be joining us!
June 4th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
Rachell, Ryan wanted to propose during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field, but you’ll be happy to know that I disuaded him. You can thank me later.
I am sooooo happy for you guys. Congrats.
June 4th, 2005 at 3:19 pm
Rachell, welcome to Ryan’s great circle of family and friends. I was absolutely elated when I heard the news of your engagement and it has brought countless smiles on my face over the past several days, and I can only imagine how many smiles this has brought over both yours and Reno’s face. I feel that he is extremely fortunate to have found such a wonderful and spirited woman as yourself to spend the rest of his life with and I look forward to hearing and experiencing many memories with the both of you.
Reno, as I said before well done! In every aspect, Rachell is nothing less than perfect for you, the engagement looked and sounded great, nice job on the website; you should consider doing it as a profession. As said by the Grails-man in Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom, “You have chosen wisely!” Mozel-Tov!
With much love to you both,
Todd
June 4th, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Congratulations to you both, Ryan and Rachell! What a beautiful engagement story, it does sound like it was out of a fairytale
(Ryan, by the way, love your little tidbits of humor). I am so excited for you and know that God is smiling down on you both.
June 4th, 2005 at 9:32 pm
Dude, that is awesome. I enjoyed reading your story and the bios. I look forward to catching up sometime in the next couple weeks.
June 5th, 2005 at 3:09 am
Praise God, my prayers have been answered! A Godly woman for a muched loved son and Godly man. Rachell I welcome you into our energetic, adventurous and fun loving family! I look forward to watching how God will grow the two of you into one as you undertake this new adventure of marriage.
Much love and God Bless,
Mom
June 6th, 2005 at 7:23 am
Dear Ryan and Rachell - To have found a partner in love and have your separate steps become tandem on the path to God’s everlasting Kingdom is truly a blessing. His hand can truly be seen throughout the scenery of California and in the orchestration of your wonderful engagement day. I am so very thrilled for you both - thanks for sharing!!
June 6th, 2005 at 9:25 am
Man…. i nearly beat you to it! All I need is (pick one)
(a) a girlfriend,
(b) a ring
(c) a will
(d) a way
(e) a girlfriend
(f) all of the above
June 6th, 2005 at 1:12 pm
Ryan and Rachell,
We are so happy for you!!!!!!!!! God must be smiling and delighting in you and your love. Love is grand .. but sharing God’s love, as you both do, makes it awesome to boot. God’s blessings to you and the incredible adventure He has in store for you together .. not unlike flying 2000 feet without a net or parachute.
We have been talking about Rachell since we met her .. It was easy to see how deeply in love you were with her, Ryan.
I just got back from fishing in Canada and caught some big fish — But it is nothing as big as you both caught with each other. Thanks for documenting and sharing your joy with us.
Congrats again.
All our love,
Craig and Marsha
June 6th, 2005 at 4:32 pm
Very good. VERY VERY GOOD. And exceptionally done. Here’s to the floodgates opening for Kingdom marriages everywhere!
June 6th, 2005 at 4:37 pm
Dear Ryan & Rachell
I am delighted to hear the news of you both making this decision to embark on this life journey together. An old sage shared with me once the following ingredients were necessary to insure success, which I gladly share with you both:
Rachell, even though I only met and spoke with you for a few moments a few weeks ago, I immediately recognized that you have a kind heart, so welcome to the family. Ryan you have been blessed, and as Yogi Bear said: “Don’t You Forget It”
June 7th, 2005 at 5:06 pm
I’m wondering about the secret photographer who followed you around and took pictures of you making out all day…does that guy get any credit?!!!
Congratulations. I’m still in shock, but very happy for you both.
much love,
Daff
June 8th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
I am overjoyed and delighted for you both! I am so excited to meet this beautiful woman of God who has captured the heart of my precious cousin! What a gift our Lord has given the two of you…John and I can’t wait to celebrate your union in November!!! May our God and King richly bless your upcoming nuptials!!!
Love in Christ Jesus,
Trish
June 15th, 2005 at 10:01 am
Wow.
Ryan and Rachell CONGRATULATIONS!!!
May the Lord delight you with himself and all the blessings spiritual and otherwise that could possibly come to you!
Excited for you from IL…
-The Handys
June 15th, 2005 at 5:11 pm
Ryan and Rachell, congratulations! Your lives are an encouragement to my heart, and a testimony to God’s faithfulness and provision for His children. Many blessings to you during this special time!
much love,
Molly
January 2nd, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Awesome!! Congrats!! You guys know Ottmar!!! That’s awesome - check out Dominic Guadios!! That is a great engagement blog - we just got engaged last week… Life is wonderful.