First and foremost it is important to share a little background about some of the adorable and yet restrictive rules that Jaclyn gave me in the event I ever wanted to propose. In true Jaclyn form, these rules were shared at random moments over the years and it became very evident that I was in for a bit of a challenge!
Some of the “blackout dates” included: No Holidays, No Birthdays, Not on Vacation and definitely not at Family Gatherings.
So naturally I decided to break them all!!
Planning began with my co-conspirators Caitlin (Maid of Honor), Ouida (my future Mother in Law), and eventually the GOAT himself, Chuck (my future Father in Law).
For the past few years we’ve been fortunate enough to take a yearly Savage family vacation in Playa de Carmen, and I decided this would be the perfect proposal location during our April 2019 trip. Once Ouida and Caitlin knew that I intended to propose then, we agreed we would do family photographs on the beach as a guise for the proposal, as well as to capture the exact moment on camera.
So as the day of the photos arrived, the photographer and I met in secret to decide on the spot that would be best for sunset shots. Ouida and Caitlin made sure everyone knew we were doing family photos and kept everyone on schedule to make our way to the beach, which was not an easy task to get Jaclyn and Caitlin & Ryan Savage's three small children ready. Chuck was tasked with procuring and hiding the celebratory champagne.Anyone who knows Jaclyn is well aware of her meticulous personality and ridiculous super power to sniff out any surprise, so I was very worried she would notice something was amiss. As we got ready to head out to the door (with ring in my pocket), the first curve ball came: Jaclyn decided my swim shorts I was wearing weren't a perfect choice, so she handed me a new pair. However, these ones didn't have the optimum pocket storage that the first ones had.
After managing to change and sneak the ring out of one suit and into the other without getting caught, we made our way to the beach. Jaclyn, however, was simply not feeling pictures and made little effort to get involved with them, and most definitely didn’t want to cooperate with my request to move over to a different spot…yep that spot, the one the photographer and I picked out. Clearly the whole plan was unraveling, and finally the photographer had to intervene. She began giving direction for us to line us up- the picture was pretty cheesy, but it at least got Jaclyn to the pre-chosen spot! All I had to do was to produce the ring and start my well-rehearsed proposal- only problem was the ring was stuck and I couldn’t get it out of my pocket! After just about tearing the pocket completely out of my shorts, I got it!
I started into my proposal but Jaclyn was having a hard time hearing me, as the wind was blowing, and I could tell she just wanted to head back to the pool, not knowing what I was trying to do. It was time to go big.I dropped down to my knee and as pulled out the ring, Jaclyn just had a confused look on her face. I popped the big question but was met with total silence… she was in complete shock, so I asked one more time. Without response, she took the ring and placed it on her finger. I asked, "Is that a yes?" and with tears and a smile she finally said "Yes!"
While it didn’t go quite as planned it couldn’t have been more perfect, and the photos were amazing. We're so happy we could share that moment with her family, but more excited to celebrate our union with all our family and friends in Mexico in June!
Jaclyn and Ryan met in Kansas City and it was not quite love at first sight. While Ryan instantly fell in love with her blue eyes, Jaclyn was more interested in the potential "spread" or business he could offer as she had just opened the KC office for Insight Global. They quickly became friends, and silly banter about basketball and sports betting (which Ryan soon came to realize she knew nothing about) led to their fist date. Ryan took Jaclyn to the Star Light Theater for their first date to see Wizard of Oz; between Jaclyn crying during somewhere over the rainbow, and Ryan being over served at Manifesto, the rest was history. Over the next 5 years they lived together, loved long distance, and eventually made it through and bought a house together in San Antonio, Texas.
During their time together they have had the opportunity to visit and travel to multiple countries and across the United States, enjoying activities that they both love such as snowboarding, hunting, relaxing on the beach and getting massages, catching the occasional Pokemon... and of course throwing the dice on the craps table. When they first started dating they agreed that the most important thing in a partner is not only to be best friends, but also have someone who strives to make you better every day. They both know they have found that in each other and are so excited to celebrate the best day of their lives with you in Mexico. There is no looking back!
#CertainAboutBurton #BurtonGotSavaged
We could not celebrate this special day, and journey into the next chapter of our lives without our crazy family. We are so excited to grow not just with each other but blending our two families. With everyone spread across the country it is very rare that everyone can be in the same place at the same time. Ryan has four beautiful children Taylor, Makayla, Justice and Jaxson.
We are also blessed with an amazing extended family:
Jaclyn's brother, Ryan and wife, Caitlin live in San Diego, who have Jack and Miles and Isla. Ryan's sister, Chassidy and George are in New York, and have a son Logan. We are excited for Ryan's dad Kirk and wife, Donna, to meet Jaclyn's parents, Chuck and Ouida, so our crazy families can finally hit the jackpot in Vegas.