Mount Dora Marriage Proposal

We love a great Mount Dora proposal story, don’t you? When we heard their story, we knew that we wanted to feature Carly & Kevin’s Mount Dora marriage proposal story.

man and woman take picture together smiling into camera for selfie

Share with us when and how you met each other.

West Seminole Baseball – Allstars – Summer 2018 was the introduction of Carly & Kevin.

Kevin’s two youngest boys (out of 3) and Carly’s boy were all on the same Allstar team. Previously, Carly always signed up to be the team mom on the prior seasons and this time she wanted to take a step back. Kevin took the reins, since no one else would and started trying to organize everything… Clearly Carly should have stayed involved… Haha! J/K!

couple take a selfie together smiling

There was definitely flirting going on, smiling and a lot of eye contact during the season.

The team traveled for a tournament to Brooksville, FL. The evening before the tournament, while Carly was staying at her friend Casey’s Step Mom’s retirement community, Carly was messaging Kevin (with Casey’s help “wink wink”). One thing led to another and Kevin set up the first date for July 22, 2018 at San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant at 925 W State Road 436, Altamonte Springs, FL. 32714.

After the wonderful first date full of nerves, smiles and laughter… they couldn’t get enough of one another.

They kept their relationship rather quiet for the next year while the two got to know each other better. By the following summer, the two decided to move in together and blend families.

What are your favorite things to do together as a couple?

Laugh (share Tik Toks), hang out with our close friends (driveway dinners, pool, local restaurants), tag team with sports, plan family vacations!

How long were you together before getting engaged?

4.5 years.

Did anyone help with the Mount Dora marriage proposal?

YES! All of our friends and family!

five women pose for picture some sitting on giant alligator statue and some standing behind them with trees in the background

Share your marriage proposal story…

It all started with the once in a lifetime text from Kevin on 12/9/22, “Hello everyone! The guys got a wild hair the other day and been meaning to send a text the other day… since the holidays are here and everyone will be busy plus a few out of town, the guys talked and want you ladies to enjoy a girls evening next Saturday, December 17th. That day worked best for all the guys schedules. Hopefully this will work.”

This text went out to Jason & Schlaine, Justin & Katie, Leroy & Tricia, & Gary & Elle. Everyone was magically available… (Surprising because that close to Christmas)

So, I started a separate “girls text” to continue to discuss the 17th and where to go – Which included:

Trying to figure out where to go in Mount Dora, FL. (30 minutes from us), mention of the sunset (for girl’s night?)… After deciding on Pisces Rising for dinner, we stopped by Katie’s for her “Jingle Juice”, then picked up Tricia from Lake Brantley High School (watching her boy’s games), Schlaine drove like a crazy person and then once we got to where I thought was the restaurant, we stopped to take a picture with a fake alligator and then saw a huge chair to also take a photo in… After the photo, I looked up and noticed my friend, Kristin Klinger standing at the entrance of a long path toward the lake/lighthouse holding 6 white roses.

woman wearing black dress holds hands over mouth in surprise while two women walk next o her

I instantly knew this was it, something was happening! She hugged me and said to follow her… I looked at all of the girls I came with like, what the heck!? It was quite the whirlwind but between all of the hugs and smiles.. I kept on the pathway walking toward the water… As I get closer, I hear music (live music – Casey Picou playing “In Case You Didn’t Know by Brett Young” on his guitar) and see ALL of our close friends and family lined up on either side also holding sunflowers! (QUE TEARS!) This includes our boys in brand-new outfits and Brock crying harder than anyone. (Sweetest thing!)

woman stands close to man while holding a bouquet of flowers with water in the background

Then… in the center of it all, was my handsome man, holding a dozen red roses!

He held my hand (one hand) ((because I was too stubborn to hand the flowers to someone else)) and told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, got down on one knee and presented the most beautiful/perfect ring EVER, and asked me to marry him!

I SAID YES!

man proposes in mount dora marriage proposal in front of the water Started down the line with giving everyone hugs, took photos before it got too dark and then another surprise… Paper lanterns! Everyone helped light paper lanterns to let go over the water… We all wished Kevin’s mom, Debi could have been there, however, we know she was there in spirit! It was absolutely beautiful!

family poses together smiling for picture in front of body of water

men in the family poses together smiling for picture in front of body of water

You think that’s it? Not with Kevin…

He then says “Let’s go… we have a bus to catch” – I want to say 20 of us got on a bus all decorated with balloons and engagement items, drinks and music… to take us to Pisces Rising for dinner… that’s right… we got to Pisces Rising! Haha! Meanwhile, in the town of Mount Dora during the Christmas season… everything is decorated with Christmas lights…. absolutely breathtaking!

man and woman stand together holding hands facing each other in front of christmas tree with light up snowflakes decorating it

woman wearing black long sleeve dress stands next to man with mustache wearing button up long sleeve shirt

It was an incredible/magical night and I felt like a million bucks! (Also, our friend Casey Picou who was doing the music, had his brother, a professional photographer, taking photos during the proposal!) He thought of EVERYTHING!

black and white image of couple holding a floating white lantern they're about to release at night time