That Time Hunter Proposed in a Cave
- sarahwilk24
- Feb 19, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Luray Caverns
2,688 pieces | Blocks World: 76010
Assembled by Mike Alfare, February 2025
Interaction Rating: 3 / 5 (interaction with the set is okay, but only with help from an adult)
February 19, 2023
The main thing the couple wanted to do during their trip to Luray was to visit the famous cave, which is the largest in the Eastern part of the U.S. and has the world's largest instrument made out of stalactites: The Great Stalacpipe Organ. This was still during the COVID era, so they wore masks inside the cave. They didn't go on an official tour, and instead moseyed along the pathways, taking in the beauty of all the formations that had been taking shape for millions of years. They admired Dream Lake, a shallow pool that appears much larger than it is, as its complete stillness allows it to reflect the cave on its surface. They were charmed by the "Fried Eggs" formation, which was once full-sized stalagmites that cave workers accidentally broke off in the 1920s. All the while, Hunter was growing more nervous beside Sarah, who had absolutely no idea what he was planning. He was trying to find a semi-private place to pull her aside and ask her the question he'd been wanting to ask for many months. He hadn't asked sooner because Sarah had made it clear she wouldn't entertain the thought of marriage until they'd been dating for at least one year. That day in the cave marked one year and five days of dating. He couldn't wait any longer.
Pearl Engagement Ring
128 pieces | MOC: 128846
Assembled by Sarah Wilkinson, January 2025
Interaction Rating: 5 / 5 (interaction with the set is encouraged)
When the pathway through the cave opened up, creating a natural place to pull off, Hunter led Sarah away from the crowd. He pulled her close, like they were about to hug. Sarah could feel his leg shaking, which took her a couple of seconds to process, as it was very out of character. Hunter had forgotten to take his mask off and was speaking so quietly that she couldn't make out what he was saying without being able to see his lips. Sarah asked him if he was okay, her attention returning to the badly shaking leg; she had a split-second concern that he might be having a medical emergency and could fall over. Hunter was motioning down to his hip, and when Sarah followed his gaze, she saw a wooden heart-shaped box containing her maternal grandmother's pearl ring. She finally realized what was happening and heard him say the words, "Can I keep you?" They'd been jokingly asking each other that for months by then, and had even lightheartedly agreed to say that when they proposed, instead of the more traditional, "Will you marry me?"
Sarah's brain was still catching up to what was happening. The proposal was so subtle that no one else around them realized a proposal was happening less than five feet away, probably because he wasn't down on one knee (he was unable to, given how badly he was shaking as he waited for her answer) and was still wearing his mask. In those seconds that stretched like hours, Sarah was finally able to coax the word "Yes" out of her throat. Once it was out, she wasn't sure if she had said it. It was a surreal moment that took her by surprise. She was wearing yoga pants and a pink sweater with a ripped sleeve, for goodness' sake! She would have dressed up a bit (at least worn a sweater without a rip in the sleeve!) had she any inclination that Hunter was batty enough to propose to her in a cave with gash marks caused by her teeth shining brightly on his forehead. They hugged as the moment washed over them, other cave-dwellers buzzing around them like nothing had just happened.
The Car and Carriage Caravan Museum
199 pieces | ROKR: AMKA1
Assembled by Mike Alfare, January 2025
Interaction Rating: 3 / 5 (interaction with the set is okay, but only with help from an adult)
They hardly remember seeing the rest of the cave or asking someone to take their photo. Still, they must have since they have photographic evidence (the photographer definitely didn't know that Hunter had just proposed and the significance of the photo they were taking!). In the gift shop, they picked out a Luray Caverns ornament in hues that would match their bedroom. Outside, they sat on a bench near the parking lot for a while as Sarah verbally processed what had happened. They'd already discussed the idea that they'd both have the chance to propose to each other before they planned a wedding, and now that Hunter had done it, Sarah wanted the opportunity to express her love for him through her unique proposal. They jokingly called themselves "half-engaged" (a concept that would take some explaining before their parents understood). After feelings time, they wandered through two other attractions at Luray Caverns, the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum and Toy Town Junction, a museum featuring vintage toys. The car museum was surprisingly large, featuring over 50 vintage motorized vehicles, including one of the oldest functioning cars in the country: a 1897 Mercedes-Benz. Hunter had fun roasting the early Ford models (for backstory on his hatred of Henry Ford, be sure to visit the "Our Quirky Life" exhibit). They walked around as if in a daydream, not remembering to take any photos, but enjoying the time together nonetheless. After a while, it was time to head back to their cabin in the clouds.
Sarah innocently eats her breakfast of potaffles (mashed potatoes crisped in a waffle iron) and admiring the rock formations in Luray Caverns, completely unaware that Hunter is about to pop The Question.
Minutes after Hunter proposed, they convinced someone to take a photo of them. Thankfully, they remembered to take their masks off first. Can you see the slight look of, "What the hell just happened?! OH MY GOD!!!" on Sarah's face?
In this photo, taken shortly after he proposed, you can vividly see Sarah's teeth marks in Hunter's forehead from the mishap the night before. You can also viscerally feel Hunter's relief that Sarah said "Yes" to his marriage proposal and Sarah's nervous energy about the fact that he asked The Question at all (in a cave, to boot).
After the proposal, they sat on a bench overlooking the beautiful mountains (you just have to ignore the parking lot) and looked at the heirloom ring on Sarah's finger before heading to the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, where they didn't take a single photo because both of them were pure adrenaline and couldn't think straight. Pictured here are photos they stole from the internet, including one of the 1897 Mercedes-Benz.