An Engagement to Remember
(Photo by Caitlin Bittner)
Rob Shaw proposes to girlfriend Carrie Gingerich with the help of an airplane. The couple celebrated their 17-month anniversary on Sunday, June 12. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
By Caitlin Bittner
Over the weekend, Prairie du Chien resident, Rob Shaw, made a proposal of engagement to girlfriend Carrie Gingerich. He hired a plane from the Air Signs and Banners to help him convery the message.
Shaw, a traveling nurse, got the idea while he and Gingerich were in California. “We’d been talking about getting married for awhile, but I didn’t know how to ask,” said Shaw. “But I knew I wanted it to be big, and I wanted it to last forever.”
“I thought about a lot of ways to do it. Like collecting white rocks, spelling it out, then taking her up to the bluffs,” said Shaw. “I also thought about having our friends hold signs up for her.”
But in the end, Shaw said that when they saw the planes, he just knew an airplane would create a big enough spectacle to make the moment memorable for all involved.
On Sunday, the weather was perfect as 2 p.m. neared. Shaw, Gingerich and many of their friends and family gathered on St. Feriole Island awaiting the big moment. Shaw said that during that moment, he was most excited to see Gingerich’s face. “I know I’ll just be there with this stupid look on my face. I’ll probably be half smiling, half trying to play it off.”
The proposal was met with smiles, hugs and, of course, that all important ‘yes.’
The couple meet Jan. 12, 2015, when Shaw moved in to Gingerich’s apartment as a roommate. “I’m the guy who moved in, and never moved out,” Shaw laughed. “Everyone raved about her. It wasn’t too long before we were talking for hours, and we became best friends.”
Shaw said that if he could sum up their relationship in one word, it would be passion. “I was lacking passion before I met her. Passion for life, for goals. But with her, I’m the best person I can be.”
