For a while now, Rob and his family have been getting everything in order for his Grandparents, The Macs, to move from Silver Spring to Salisbury, MD. After much planning, Moving Day was scheduled to start Wednesday, November 11th, and expected to last through the weekend. Under this cover story, Rob schemed away on his master plan and successfully misled me to pull off the ultimate in romantic surprises - a perfect engagement story.
The story begins when Rob asked me a few weeks ago if I could take off the Thursday after Veterans Day to help move The Macs to Salisbury. I thought it was odd to be moving mid-week, but initially did not ask questions and got the permission to take the time off.
As a planner and creature of habit, I like to know what's in store for me. So naturally as the dates got closer, my inquisitive (and somewhat detective like) side came out with the questions. Usually, Rob is only happy to provide me with the details and share the plan, plus plan B and C too. However, this time, our plans were vague/non-existent and in some cases didn't make the most sense to me at the time- but am I an expert mover?...I think not. At times, my brain would become restless with stirring thoughts that just didn't seem to add up- but in the end, I was completed blindsided by Rob's master scheming. Here are just a few:
1. LY: "Why are we going to Salisbury first? Shouldn't we start off in Silver Spring?"
2. LY:"But you will see him next week..." While in Salisbury over Halloween weekend, Rob got an early birthday present from his mom because "the next time they saw each other it would be after his bday passed." I chimed in- "Oh, but we'll see you again in less than two weeks." I just thought that no one heard me- but now that I think about it, maybe they were just ignoring my comment!!!
3. LY:"Why can't we go yet?" By 10:30 AM yesterday morning, I was ready to get on the road to Salisbury. But Rob insisted that we couldn't leave until 1:30 PM. So here I was trying to think of things to be productive- I had already worked out, folded laundry, cleaned, dropped off dry cleaning...what else was I supposed to do for 3 hours...I wouldn't find out later, but it was all because Rob was basing this off the hotel check-in time.
4. RB:"Bring a nice outfit for dinner." Rob mentioned that his mom and Doug were taking us out to dinner at Ruth Chris Wednesday night as a way of thanking us for our help. So let's look at this a little closer: We aren't leaving Alexandria until 1:30-which puts us in Salisbury around 4 PM which means it's nearly sunset now and we really only have a few hours to pack and move things until we go to dinner...this seemed a little fishy to me, but at the same time, not unrealistic.
5. RB: "Really Lauren, I don't mind if you take a nap for the rest of the way." I am notorious for falling asleep in anything moving- cars, boats, planes - and I know this could be on the top of the list of Rob's pet peeves too- so imagine my surprise when I heard this!
Of course, I took Rob up on his approval of my napping and the next thing I know we are driving down a brick-bordered driveway lined with a full canopy of arching trees that leads to an elegant white plantation style building.
"Where are we?" I was completely disoriented and confused! Rob's response..."You were just saying how it would be nice to plan a little weekend getaway together...well here it is! that's happening this weekend." I was shocked and at this point knew that this was beyond a special getaway.
We had arrived at The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, MD. Since my words won't do it justice, please check out the link above. It is gorgeous, sitting right on the Miles River. You walk in an are immediately welcomed into an atmosphere of comfort and elegance. For those of you who have watched the movie Wedding Crashers, the Inn is where the first wedding scene was filmed. It is absolutely gorgeous.
As a planner and creature of habit, I like to know what's in store for me. So naturally as the dates got closer, my inquisitive (and somewhat detective like) side came out with the questions. Usually, Rob is only happy to provide me with the details and share the plan, plus plan B and C too. However, this time, our plans were vague/non-existent and in some cases didn't make the most sense to me at the time- but am I an expert mover?...I think not. At times, my brain would become restless with stirring thoughts that just didn't seem to add up- but in the end, I was completed blindsided by Rob's master scheming. Here are just a few:
1. LY: "Why are we going to Salisbury first? Shouldn't we start off in Silver Spring?"
2. LY:"But you will see him next week..." While in Salisbury over Halloween weekend, Rob got an early birthday present from his mom because "the next time they saw each other it would be after his bday passed." I chimed in- "Oh, but we'll see you again in less than two weeks." I just thought that no one heard me- but now that I think about it, maybe they were just ignoring my comment!!!
3. LY:"Why can't we go yet?" By 10:30 AM yesterday morning, I was ready to get on the road to Salisbury. But Rob insisted that we couldn't leave until 1:30 PM. So here I was trying to think of things to be productive- I had already worked out, folded laundry, cleaned, dropped off dry cleaning...what else was I supposed to do for 3 hours...I wouldn't find out later, but it was all because Rob was basing this off the hotel check-in time.
4. RB:"Bring a nice outfit for dinner." Rob mentioned that his mom and Doug were taking us out to dinner at Ruth Chris Wednesday night as a way of thanking us for our help. So let's look at this a little closer: We aren't leaving Alexandria until 1:30-which puts us in Salisbury around 4 PM which means it's nearly sunset now and we really only have a few hours to pack and move things until we go to dinner...this seemed a little fishy to me, but at the same time, not unrealistic.
5. RB: "Really Lauren, I don't mind if you take a nap for the rest of the way." I am notorious for falling asleep in anything moving- cars, boats, planes - and I know this could be on the top of the list of Rob's pet peeves too- so imagine my surprise when I heard this!
Of course, I took Rob up on his approval of my napping and the next thing I know we are driving down a brick-bordered driveway lined with a full canopy of arching trees that leads to an elegant white plantation style building.
"Where are we?" I was completely disoriented and confused! Rob's response..."You were just saying how it would be nice to plan a little weekend getaway together...well here it is! that's happening this weekend." I was shocked and at this point knew that this was beyond a special getaway.
We had arrived at The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, MD. Since my words won't do it justice, please check out the link above. It is gorgeous, sitting right on the Miles River. You walk in an are immediately welcomed into an atmosphere of comfort and elegance. For those of you who have watched the movie Wedding Crashers, the Inn is where the first wedding scene was filmed. It is absolutely gorgeous.
Our suite was beautiful- Again- fully elegant with a working fireplace, enormous bathroom- with a large soaking tub (and bubbles to go with it!), bottle of Cabernet waiting to be open and the most important element- a private patio overlooking the water.
Of course, enjoyment of our suite and the Inn had to be put on hold for a bit. This was due to some major absentmindedness on my part. It appeared that none of my hangers holding my evening attire had made it to the car. Don't ask me how I forgot all of this. I felt pretty stupid and also sad because I felt like I may have royally messed up all of things that Rob had planned. So we dropped off our things, took a quick look around and headed out to find a nice outfit for the evening. After browsing some stores and only finding nice ladies formal ware more suitable for a women of 65 I was a bit worried. But just as I had given up hope I found a nice little dress and my mini-crisis was averted.
After returning to the Inn, Rob and I opened the bottle of wine and decided to sit out on our patio to watch the storm, celebrate us and relax. Rob started taking pictures with his new camera and I proceeded to point out a great scene over in the distance that could be a good shot for him. When I turned around, Rob was down on one knee with a tiny black box cupped in his hands and proposing to me. His words were perfect, personal and filled with so much love and I will remember this as one of the happiest, heart-felt moments in my life.
Of course I said YES. I wanted to say yes the minute I turned around and found Rob on one knee. But I didn't interrupt and instead let my smile and waving hand gestures display my excitement. At approximately 4:36 p.m. I was officially the future Mrs. Rob Benedict. You can see the ring below- it is breathtaking. What makes it even more special- the ring was created using an heirloom that once belonged to Rob's great grandmother. I feel truly honored.
Since the aftermath of Hurricane IDA had put a damper on the weather situation, we stayed inside lounging in our comfy robes while sipping wine by the fire before going off to Masons for dinner. Dinner was amazing. We were greeted at our table with flowers, a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine as a celebratory gift from Mom, Doug, Jamie, Dave and Lil' Lilly. Dinner was great and everyone in the restaurant was so delightful and happy for us. The night could not have been more perfect.
The mid-week surprise getaway ended with a riverside breakfast and a wonderful massage at the Inn's Spa. It is always nice to be pampered. Perfectly romantic and unforgettable in every way.
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