Engagement at the Banff Springs

[ashey063009]

FI (Kurtis) proposed at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel at the end of April last year. I love reading everyone`s engagement stories, and figured it was time to share ours!

 

So on Thursday, just before exams began, Kurtis picked me up after my last class. We stopped quickly at home and packed up an overnight bag, hopped in the truck and headed out to the mountains. Kurtis had made reservations at the Banff Springs, and had planned for dinner at the Grizzly House (this great little fondue restaurant in downtown Banff) and we wanted to get out there in time to enjoy the hotel and get settled in before we went out for dinner.

 

We arrived, had the car parked and headed inside to check-in. I had signed us up for a prestige program online (which I recommend to anyone booking through Fairmont--free and AWESOME!) so the doorman--who was dressed in a kilt--lead us to a private entrance and check-in area where we didn't have to wait in line, and were addressed like royalty. The woman kindly mentioned that we had been upgraded to the Junior Honeymoon Suite on the 9th floor. It wasn't until we arrived in the elevator that we realized that the 9th floor was the very top of the magnificent hotel. We climbed the stairs to our private suite--complete with it's own doorbell, HUGE main bathroom, sitting room and spiral staircase that lead to the bedroom and ensuite. We were both blown away with the beauty of the room and the view. It couldn't have been more perfect.

 

Once we had taken a look around the room and dropped off our bags, we decided to head down to one of the lounges for a quick drink. I discovered a hidden gem called the "Brown Bear"-- a signature drink made from vodka, Baileys, Kahlua and espresso. DELICIOUS! Then the staff, to whom we had told it was our anniversary (also something I recommend) brought us a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. We were in heaven!

 

After venturing throughout the hotel it was time to get ready and head out for dinner. We had a great dinner at the Grizzly House and were stuffed and smelling like a fondue house. So we headed back to the hotel, changed into some new, clean smelling clothes and headed down to the lounge to grab a drink and watch the hockey game. We spent the evening chatting, watching the game and relaxing. Once the game was over we headed back up to our room, where we opened up a bottle of champagne (that the VP of the Banff Springs had left for us in our room) poured an container of bath bubbles into the massive jacuzzi tub, and laughed for hours. We had decided that, because our time in the majestic room was so limited sleeping would be a complete waste of time, so we proceeded to discuss how we were going to scam the front desk staff into bringing us scrabble at 2 am.

 

As I stated that I thought a good game of cards would suffice Kurt suddenly became quite serious and asked, "What are you thinking right now?" Without a pause I laughed and said,"I'm thinking I wanna play Cheat" (a card game that he ALWAYS beat me at!) not realizing that over the last 20 minutes Kurtis had crept onto the floor beside the bed, and was now perched on one knee. "You know what I'm thinking?" he said quietly, "I'm thinking I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

 

Now you think I would have clued in by this point in the conversation, but I smiled, and said "Aww, thanks babe I want to spend my life with you too!" thinking he was just being his regular old, romantic self. However, I then saw that his hand was searching for something underneath the pillow on the bed, and that was when I realized that he meant it!

 

He continued on saying all the things I girl hopes to hear (crying all the way-- which I'm not supposed to add in, but I must!), and then pulled out the most beautiful ring I could have imagined. It was the perfect, most fantastic proposal I could have ever asked for.

[*Nadine*]

Such a great proposal Ashley! I especially think so b/c its pretty close to how mine went down last april too!! It was the weekend of the snowstorm in calgary though, so the original plans to go to the fairmont at lake louise was kyboshed and he got us one of the heritage suites here in town at the palliser

 

Its almost time for your wedding!!

[ashey063009]

LOL! That it too funny, the night we went up it was clear and beautiful and green-- but we woke up the next morning and the ENTIRE place was covered in a GIANT blanket of snow! That really was a crazy weekend.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnvb9 Such a great proposal Ashley! I especially think so b/c its pretty close to how mine went down last april too!! It was the weekend of the snowstorm in calgary though, so the original plans to go to the fairmont at lake louise was kyboshed and he got us one of the heritage suites here in town at the palliser   Its almost time for your wedding!!

[EDSROSA]

What a beautiful story!

[H&F]

Hey Ashley, my FI took me to the Banff springs for NYE right after he proposed at my parent's house. It is such a lovely hotel and definitely a romantic place! I loved reading about your proposal.