Clear Creek Engagement

I met Katie and Jim at the Clear Creek Trail in Golden, Colorado. We had a great day enjoying the yellow leaves, watching their dog, Zion, bound along the creek and celebrating their engagement.

Katie and Jim met in high school English class. Katie shares, “We didn’t start dating until our senior year, but my very first impression of Jim was that he was incredibly tall, he fished, and he had this long hair that made him look like shaggy from Scooby Doo, but that was sophomore year.”

Jim adds, “I remember the day she asked me to sit with her at her table and she commented on my terrible goatee (it was truly terrible). I went home and shaved that night because I really wanted her to like me. I remember how excited she was that I shaved it off and I sat with her the rest of the year.”

“Our first date was dinner and a movie,” Katie shares, “The Nun, if you can believe it, we both are horror movie lovers. After we ate, we went out to Jim’s convertible (a Z3 BMW, which he was very proud of). He went to put the top down, misjudged the clip, and accidentally smacked me right in the face. I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my cheeks. He thought he seriously injured me, but that only made me laugh harder.”

Jim continues, “I was so nervous! I never really watched any horror films, but I was just so excited to go to a movie with her I was willing to see one. Turns out it’s one of my favorite movie categories and we are still catching me up on the classics. Also, I completely thought that the first date was going to be the last date because I smacked her, but we went to the lake later that night and just sat by the stream and talked. It was then I knew I had someone very special.”

Katie shares, “I think I knew he was the one when we exchanged promise rings. He gave me mine at Garden of the Gods, which was such a beautiful place, and it felt like this huge, special moment just for us. I still think about that day all the time.”

Jim continues, “Honestly, I knew pretty early on. We were just driving one day, not really going anywhere, on a dirt road, I turned and looked at her and was like, she’s the one.”

Katie tells the story of the proposal, “Jim proposed! We were in Breckenridge for the day, grabbing drinks, just enjoying the town and later we decided to drive up Loveland Pass. Our friend Alara was with us, and our dog Zion too, which made it even more perfect. I truly had no idea it was coming. I thought he might wait until our Thanksgiving trip. So when he dropped to one knee, I was completely shocked in the best way.”

Jim shares, “I wanted a really pretty proposal, but I also wanted it to be a complete surprise. I also knew I couldn’t trust Alara to not say anything, so I told Alara only two hours before that I was going to propose. I had multiple backup plans for the day and actually had to drive by a spot because of a wedding going on. So technically it was spot number two but I think it could not have been more perfect.”

Katie shares, “We celebrated first in California with my family, and my aunt hosted the most amazing engagement party for us. We cooked together, enjoyed time with everyone, and even went to the San Diego Zoo, something I loved doing as a kid. It felt like such a full-circle moment.”

They chose Clear Creek in Golden for their engagement session because it is one of their favorite places to fish together. They love Golden’s stunning views and fall colors and have so many happy memories there.

Zion is their wonderful little puppy. Katie shares, “She is a mini red healer. We brought her home last August and life has been a mix of chaos and joy ever since. She keeps us laughing every single day. She has endless energy when she wants to play, but she also loves to curl up and nap for hours. She is sweet and silly and spoiled in the best way (way too many photos of her) and she has already become such an important part of our little family. She also loves water. Whenever she hears a river she MUST get in the water.”

Katie shares, “My engagement ring feels incredibly personal to us. Jim helped create the design and my uncle, who owns a jewelry shop in California, is the one who made it which makes it even more special. The ring I have is perfect for me. It feels meaningful and timeless and every time I look at it, I think of how much love went into making it.”

Jim adds, “Her uncle did an absolutely amazing job! I knew what she wanted and told him and he nailed it on the first design. I also had it shipped discreetly but ended up fessing up that I had the ring in the house. I had to move it multiple times so she would never find it.”

 

The wedding plans are in the works. Katie shares, “We are thinking about a small elopement in the mountains surrounded by nature followed by a simple celebration in a spot we both love.”

I asked them, “What do you love most about each other?” Katie replied, “I love how kind and caring Jim is every single day. No matter how tough the day is he always shows up for me.” Jim replied, “I literally love everything about her. I love her smile, her laugh, and the way she can always cheer me up. I love how we can spend every moment with each other and never get bored. I feel like she is my other half in this world and more than I could have ever dreamt of. But if I had to choose one thing it’s how she can always make me smile.”

Congratulations to Katie and Jim!