Ok, that’s not quite how it went.
But I did get to be apart of a special moment for two of my really good friends at Gatorland!
I received a phone call late Saturday (2/27) afternoon, “I need your help.”
Honestly, the first thing that went through my mind was, “Oh good lord! What happened?!”
Thankfully, Tommy quickly told me that he needed to think of a place to propose to Ashley.
So, my brain started going crazy.. “What about the Sanford Zoo?” That got shot down.
Ok, fine! “The fair is in town. You could get her a funnel cake and put the ring on top and hope she doesn’t eat the ring!!” A laugh and a no, combined.
As Tommy said something to the fact of, “Just think about it and let me know. I’d like to do it next weekend.” I blurted out “Ok sure. We’ll think of some places.” (And here is what could have gotten me in trouble….) “Oh, by the way, we have tickets to Gatorland. The Florida resident discount ends soon, we should all go.”
There was silence. Then came, “Maybe I’ll ask her there.”
After some research, I found out the Florida resident discount ended the NEXT day. A phone call back, he agreed that Sunday would work. And then I waited, and waited, and waited to call and plant the seed to Ashley.
After that was complete, 10AM at Gatorland was decided upon.
—
On Sunday, we got there earlier than Tommy and Ashley so I could ask some of the Gatorland employees where a good stop for a proposal could happen. As much as I was expecting to get laughed at, they all told me that someone had gotten married there.
(Incase you’re wondering where you should pop the question to your special lady at Gatorland, I was told the tower or during a show.)
Tommy and Ashley showed up LATE and Jeff was convinced that Tommy was getting cold feet or he was stalling to get there.
Either way, that wasn’t the case and they finally got there and we went in and watched some gators. Most of them were being gators and just laying around. However, we did see the Jumparoo and those gators sure do love some chicken.
I had to pull Tommy aside and try to figure out WHERE he was going to ask so I could be ready with the camera.
Our master plan:
Me: “Hey, will you take a picture of Jeff and I?”
T or A: “Sure.”
After our picture:
Tommy: “Can you take one of us?”
Me: “Sure.”
Then Tommy made it AWKWARD (in his own party words) by doing some stretch and making a speech about surprises (she knew what he was talking about, so that’s all that mattered) and then pulled out the ring.
I was waiting for him to get down on one knee. But no. He failed me. However, it was very sweet and I’m glad we were there to be able to get some pictures and video. And now I can not WAIT to take some real engagement pictures of them!! 
