A Vermont Engagement: Sarah & Daniel

Nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains, Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester, Vermont, served as the perfect location for Sarah and Daniel’s engagement on October 8, 2024. Surrounded by 412 acres of natural beauty, Sarah and Daniel celebrated the beginning of their forever at this majestic location, a place where history and nature blend seamlessly. It was not just the beauty of the venue that made the day special but the story of how this couple, who had met years ago at a work event, found their way to this momentous occasion.

Vermont, A Place that Feels Like Home

Vermont has become a second home to Sarah and Daniel—a place filled with memories and new traditions. It was here that Dan spent countless winters snowmobiling with friends, riding from Southern Vermont all the way to the Canadian border. Whether renting houses in Island Pond or skiing at Mount Snow, Vermont was his playground.

For Sarah, Vermont became special through family trips during winter vacations. She fondly remembers staying in Stowe and cross-country skiing at the Von Trapp Family Lodge or watching seaplanes land on the frozen Lake Morey while ice skating.

As a couple, Vermont solidified its importance in 2022 during a snowy weekend getaway at Mountain Top Resort. They spent another winter weekend in Woodstock and Quechee in 2023, and when Dan proposed in 2024, it marked the ultimate full-circle moment. Vermont is no longer just a place they love individually but one that now holds their shared history and future.

Sarah + Daniel’s Love Story

From the moment Sarah and Daniel met, their paths were intertwined. Their journey began at a work holiday party where Dan first noticed Sarah, even though they worked at different subsidiary companies. However, it wasn’t until a few years later that their story truly began. Sarah transferred to the same company where Dan worked, and after another work gathering, Dan found the courage to ask a coworker for Sarah’s number. His excuse? He needed help with some interior design elements for a bathroom renovation—a perfect reason to ask her out. As Sarah recounts with a smile, “He knew I liked interior design, so he used it as a reason to see if I was interested. It was cute, and I agreed to help.”

The “Bathroom Date” that Started it All

The first time Sarah and Daniel spent time together wasn’t exactly a classic dinner and a movie—it was a DIY project. Sarah visited Dan’s house to check out his bathroom renovation, which, at the time, was stripped down to the studs. What started as a casual discussion about tiles and fixtures turned into hours of conversation. They ordered pizza and talked late into the night, and a strong friendship blossomed. Their friendship soon grew into something deeper. Those pizza-fueled conversations laid the foundation for their relationship, which evolved over the following months from project to life partners.

The Perfect Proposal at Mountain Top Resort

When Dan decided to propose, there was no better place than Mountain Top Resort. Nestled in Chittenden, Vermont, this beautiful getaway held a special place in their hearts. After all, they had enjoyed countless adventures there, including snowmobiling through the snowy trails that crisscross the resort’s 700 private acres of woods and meadows.

The day Dan proposed was perfect. They had rented a quaint one-bedroom cottage with breathtaking views of the pond and mountains. Before they could check in, Sarah and Daniel spent the day exploring on a snowmobile, racing through the frosty trails. Unbeknownst to Sarah, Dan had been carrying the engagement ring in his pocket all day, waiting for the right moment.

Later that evening, in their cozy cottage with the sun setting behind the mountains, Dan finally popped the question. The warm golden hues of the sunset bathed the room in light as Sarah said, “Yes!”

Creating Memories Together

Sarah and Daniel’s love story is more than just about proposals and first dates; it’s about the life they’ve built together and the adventures they share. Their mutual love for the outdoors and tackling DIY projects binds them together, whether it’s hiking, snowmobiling, or taking on home renovations.

“We love spending time with family and friends, going to concerts and sporting events, and tackling big projects around the house,” Sarah says, laughing. “Right now, we’re nearly done with a large storage barn that Dan built for his toys. Up next is the patio and fire pit!”

But even when they’re apart, Sarah and Daniel embrace their individual interests. Dan loves to ski, snowmobile with friends, and tinker in his newly built storage barn. Meanwhile, Sarah enjoys vintage fairs and antique shops, always hunting for new ideas to inspire her home design projects.

Looking Forward to Forever

Sarah and Daniel’s engagement at Hildene was just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures together. As they look ahead to their Vermont wedding, they’re excited to celebrate their love in a place that has come to mean so much to them. The beauty of the Vermont landscape, the rich history of Hildene, and the love they share make this engagement the start of something extraordinary.

This is just the beginning for Sarah and Daniel, and as they look toward their future together, they know one thing for certain: Vermont will always be a place that holds their hearts.