Breanne Gaynor


It was hardly “love at first sight” for Joe Wald and Breanne Gaynor. We met when we were 12 years old. At first glance, I saw Joe as nothing more than a dorky, not-so-good looking, arrogant boy with cooties and high-top sneakers that hardly fit the idea of my Prince Charming. The feeling was mutual, Joe will tell you my four eyes, huge bangs, and chatter-box ways were the first sign that I was trouble. Of course, it didn’t help spark romance when I finished just in front of him in our town’s annual downtown race. Little did he know then our paths would continue to cross, and he’d be chasing after me once again.

I guess you could say, like our first meeting the proposal was far from perfect, but it WAS perfect in every way. Just two years before, I thought the idea of marriage had surely gotten away. My longtime boyfriend of six years was tragically killed in a car accident. I remember thinking that I would never be able to move on, and marriage was something left for only the “luckiest” people. Fortunately, God had another plan and brought Joe back into my life. Only this time my four eyes were gone, and I saw him in a completely new light. He showed me that life really can go on. I can truly say the next year was the best time of my life. Joe showed me how to live again and renewed my wavering faith in God and His master plan. We had been dating for a little more than a year, when Joe went on a two-week trip only to come back and plan the perfect way to pop the question.

The scene was the site of one of our first dates. Joe’s family farm outside of the small town of Geary, OK, hidden miles away from the busyness of life. Joe had asked me just two days before, if we could take a quick trip down there that Friday night. However, we had already made plans to visit some family friends at the lake in Eufaula, and much to his disappointment I did everything but go along with the plans. I did end up giving in and going, but the agreement didn’t come without its share of questions and a continuous reminder that we were traveling more than 100 miles out of our way just to “hang out” at the farm for one evening!

I quickly got over it, though, when we arrived at the gates of the farm, and Joe presented me with the first note of a scavenger hunt he had planned through all the memorable places on the farm we had shared.

The first question led me to an old balcony at the cabin. It was there that we first confessed, “I love you.” We talked about how nervous we were to say those three little words, and what an exciting feeling it was when we heard them back. Before we moved on to the next clue, he handed me a single red rose marking the moment.

Now, the second clue was a bit less romantic and more humorous than anything else. We all know love makes us do crazy things and that’s exactly what led to the second “memorable” location. You see, Joe loves to hunt, and in the beginning of our relationship we were inseparable. So, we decided to go hunting --TOGETHER! We’ll spare you the details and just say Joe missed out on a great deer and was quickly reminded of my less than silent ways! The clue led to a deer stand marked with a second red rose where we shared that ONE TIME and only one-time adventure!

Now by the time clue number three came around, I had forgotten all about the lake and was really getting into the game. However, I began to notice Joe starting to stall as we headed to clue number three. Much to Joe’s dismay the lively game began to backfire, when I asked, “Is this the last clue?” Joe’s silence gave away the answer and my disappointment showed as I exclaimed:

“Joe, only three? We drove all this way for a three-clue scavenger hunt!”

The disappointment wouldn’t last too long, though. Joe had me close my eyes as we drove up to a hill that overlooks the entire farm. A hill where we’ve always said we would one day like to build a house and grow old together. It was a hill that couldn’t have been more perfect for what was about to happen.

Joe helped me out of the truck and walked me to the very top of the hill where I opened my eyes to a hill full of rose pedals, a chest of flowers, a wooden bench and the largest grass-mowed heart covered in candles you could ever imagine. It was there that Joe knelt down on one knee and said:

“Breanne I love you today, and I will love you forever. And since this is the place we plan to grow old together; I could think of no better place to start that life together ... Will Your Marry Me?”

The scene perfect! At least it was until I replied, “Are you sure?” (See I told you our story wasn’t perfect!) After a convincing nod from Joe, still on one knee I might add, I finally gave him the answer he was waiting for. “Yes!!”

It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more. It was a moment I had thought two years ago I would never experience, but Joe has opened my eyes to a greater love than I had ever imagined I’d find. A love I thought only happened in movies.

The night only got better when I found out his brother had been hiding in the trees taking pictures the whole time. Joe had even arranged for our very own firework show!

I promised him then I would never question another trip to the farm even when it is 100 miles out of our way!