“Hey are you ready to start the hike?” Jack said to Holly, and Francis. “Ryan and I will be loading up last minute supplies in the jeep. So let me know when you two ladies are set.”

For the first time since Jack and Ryan had returned from studying abroad, Holly and Francis were going on camping trip with two of their closest friends. 

As Holly finished packing blankets, eating utensils, food in bear proof containers, and last minute gear in her backpack, her first date with Jack kept going through her mind. Jack knew she loved hiking the trail of the Rocky Mountains as vigorously as he did. He planned a trip to Timberline Falls. They had been friends long before that first date.

“Girls, are you alive? We need to head out now to start our camping trip.” yelled Ryan from outside. 

They all loaded into the jeep and started their two hour drive through the side streets of the beautiful countryside. 

After a long day of hiking off and on trail, they camped out for the night and sat by the campfire looking up at the Big Dipper, Draco, and Ursa Major. 

“Oh my goodness! Do you see that shiny yellow thing in the fire?”

“I think you are going crazy Holly. The fire has the color yellow in it.”

“No Jack, I am not crazy. I saw what looked like an engagement ring slip off from someone’s finger into the campfire. Give me the fire-tweezers we brought.”

Jack fumbled into his camping backpack next to him. He kept feeling around in the bag praying he wouldn’t find it the hard way, piercing his finger or hand. He finally grasped the handle and handed it over to Holly. 

She cautiously grabbed the ring out of the fire. “I am crazy, no one sitting at this camp fire is engaged, but this is an engagement ring.” The ring band  had begun to melt slightly, but the one carat diamond had not started to melt yet. It had the greatest clarity she had ever seen. She stared over at Jack startled, and wondered if this was one his elegant and elaborate plans or scavenger hunts. This was the craziest yet. A one carat diamond with the greatest clarity I have ever seen?

“Will you accept it?”
“So you did sip it into the fire!”
“Yes. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, Yes. Yes.”