SHE SAID, 'YES

'Yes!' She said,

Family home creates perfect atmosphere for clever proposal

Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Sierra Benton & Anna Webber

arrett Falk had his heart set on proposing to Hannah Castillow just three months after they started dating. Four inseparable years later, he finally got his wish on Sept. 7, 2019. He got down on one knee at Tangarray in Eclectic and took his brideto-be completely by surprise.

“He did so good; it was absolutely perfect,” said Castillow. “Garrett said he probably tossed and turned for weeks stressing about the proposal, and I had no idea. He played it off so well.”

Falk set his plan in motion months in advance and concocted a fake surprise birthday party for a friend at Lake Martin, so Castillow would be dressed to go somewhere nice and completely thrown off.

“We had this imaginary birthday party on our calendar since about June. Everyone played into it,” said Falk.

He bluffed that the birthday present had accidentally been sent to his mother’s house, which is now Tangarray event venue, so they had to go by there first to pick it up.

“When I got out of the car, and we were walking through the grass, he was squeezing my hand so tight. That’s when I had a feeling I knew what was going on,” said Castillow. “I felt all the emotions. He got down on one knee; he was nervous. I was G

The beautiful location is a place the couple will return to time and again

20 A big backyard celebration takes place after the surprise shaking and crying, yet so excited and so happy – it was all a little surreal.”

While Falk had a whole speech planned, it all went out the window when he opened his mouth.

“He said he completely forgot what he was going to say, but I didn’t want him to feel bogged down by the words. It was a sentimental mo- ment – a grand gesture. Just the fact that we made it here, that was a big moment for us,” said Castillow. “The anticipation of it all; choosing each other and taking the next step in life, it’s a proud moment for both of us.”

The couple met at Troy University through a mutual friend more than four years ago, and their relationship escalated quickly. They both knew early on that they were in it for the long run.

“We were serious quickly, and we had talked about marriage for a while. We were feeling the pressure from everyone asking when we were getting married, and we didn’t want that to ruin it for us or feel pressured, so we kind of tabled the discussion, knowing it would happen when it happens,” said Castillow.

Originally, Falk planned to propose over Labor Day, but not everyone from their families could be present – and that was important to both of them. Plus, he knew Castillow might consider that, so her guard might be down for the follow- ing off-weekend.

Adding to the surprise element, Falk had his family and her family (all the way from Mobile) and friends watching the proposal from a dis- tance, through the windows inside the house.

“Family is huge to both of us, and I knew we wanted everyone there. We made it a big back- yard party,” said Falk.

Without her knowledge, Falk had asked Castil- low’s parents’ permission to marry their daugh- ter at a baseball game they all attended in Atlanta earlier in 2019 – another element that threw Castillow for a loop.

“I knew he’d have to go to Mobile to ask my parents. I didn’t know how he’d get away with that and me not know, but he snuck that right by me for sure,” said Castillow. “The first thing I asked after I said yes was, ‘Did you ask my dad?’”

Falk knew the ring design his fiancée wanted for more than three years and spent three months

before the big day shopping around for the perfect choice.

Growing up, Falk worked at marinas on Lake Martin, and Castillow spent time on the lake with family friends each summer. They reminisce now that they likely crossed paths back in the day but never knew it.

“It wasn’t the right time for us to meet, but Lake Martin still holds a special spot for both of us,” said Castillow. “We’ve made a lot of memories there.” As a result, Falk originally planned to propose somewhere at Lake Martin, but no one spot held the significance that Tangarray did.

“Not only is it where I grew up, but it’s just a beautiful location with white columns, big oak trees, rolling hills – it’s a one of a kind place,” said Falk.

While Falk’s mother, Rita Falk, converted Tangarray into a wedding venue more than five years ago, it’s still considered Falk’s childhood home.

“Now, every time we go visit my mom, we drive right past the place where I proposed. Hopefully one day we can bring our kids there and show them where dad got down on one knee,” he said.

The couple set their wedding date for Oct. 17, 2020, at a repurposed church building in downtown Mobile. It will be a traditional Southern wedding in a chapel setting, said the future bride. “It’s easier for me to do the wedding in Mobile because most of my family is there. Plus, we really want Garrett’s mom and family to be a part of the wedding. If we had it at Tangarray, Miss Rita would just be working the whole time. It’s a phenomenal venue, but it’s still also Garrett’s home,” she said.

The couple lives in Troy, a perfect midway point between Eclectic, where Falk grew up, and Castillow’s hometown of Mobile. They recently bought a house, and Castillow started a job with the city as an executive assistant for the utilities department. Falk launched his own business a few years ago, Brand New Promo, so he has flexibility with his work location. They both still visit Elmore County often.

“We’ve made a little community here at Troy outside of our hometowns and have grown up with all these people. It’s a perfect opportunity for us,” said Castillow.

With a new job, new house and wedding to plan, the couple is excited to continue their journey together.

“We’ve been looking forward to this point in our relationship. All the ups and downs just kind of flew out the window. We’re excited to be taking this on,” Castillow said.