*Ellie
Chris and I had been planning a trip to Switzerland for months, a last chance to travel before moving to Milwaukee, and a chance to see Urs, Sabine, Timo, Pelle, and Jana, a great Swiss family we had met when they lived in Madison. My roommate asked me early on if we were going to get engaged in Switzerland. I said I didn’t think so. But, when Chris and I started ring shopping, I thought maybe it was a possibility after all.
*Chris
Ellie and I had spent a few weeks ring shopping, but if you know Ellie making a decision doesn’t happen quickly. Our trip to Switzerland was coming up fast and I felt like that would be a great time to propose. Our flight was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The Thursday before our flight I decided I would just have to pick one out myself. On my lunch break I went and picked out the ring. I wasn’t sure if they could have it ready in time, but they assured me that I could pick it up the next day. Friday night I went to buy the ring. Just by chance I asked what size it was. The jeweler said 6 ½ . I said “but Ellie is a 7 ½, I can’t give her this.” They said, “sure you can. You can resize it when you get back from your trip”, to which I replied, “no, that’s not going to work, I don’t want it.” Amazingly, even though the store was closing, they said they would have it ready at 10 the next morning.
*Ellie
A few days before our trip, Chris said, “Ellie, you didn’t pick out a ring, how are we supposed to get engaged in Switzerland?” I thought, wow, what a bummer to be told you’re not going to get proposed to after all. I knew it would take weeks to get a ring made up.
*Chris
Saturday morning, a few hours before we left for our flight, we hadn’t even started packing. I told Ellie I needed to run an errand and pick up sandwiches for lunch. Ellie did not want me to leave, but I left. I picked up some subs and a ring that was the correct size. As I was leaving the jeweler’s I got a frantic call from Ellie about how I was not packed and I needed to get home right away.
*Ellie
The morning we were leaving, Chris disappeared and left all the packing to me. I couldn’t figure out what was taking him so long.
*Chris
Despite the last minute rush we were able to relax once we got on the plane. After talking with Urs and Sabine, I decided that the Santis mountain would be the best place to propose. I had to wait a week for the weather to clear, and the entire time I had to carry that ring in my backpack. I was so worried I was going to lose it.
*Ellie
About a week into our trip, I was digging through Chris’ backpack looking for our guidebook. In one of the pockets, I found a jewelry box. I freaked out because I knew I was not supposed to find that. Then, I remembered that a mere two days before our trip, Chris did not have a ring, and so there was no way this was a ring. I decided it must be an anniversary gift, since our 2 year anniversary was coming up that Tuesday. So, I anxiously awaited Tuesday to see what he got me.
*Chris
Eventually the weather cleared and we headed for Mt. Santis. It was the perfect day to be on top of the Alps. With a clear blue sky you could see snow capped mountains for miles. I was so nervous, but somehow I managed to ask Ellie to marry me. By the way, she said yes. Most of what I remember was how relieved I was to get it over with and how happy I am to be with Ellie.
*Ellie
On Sunday, we headed to Mt. Santis. I was enjoying the view when Chris tapped me on the shoulder and pulled out that jewelry box. I was momentarily very confused since it was not Tuesday yet, but then my mind caught up and I realized it was a ring after all, and he was asking me to marry him. And then I cried, because that’s what I do. And, of course, I said yes!