Sand-Written Wedding Proposal Mystery Solved!
Before we delve into the deets behind the mystery proposal that captivated our readers, let’s get a couple of things out of the way: (1) Her name is Kelly Riplinger and she said “yes” and (2) Jason Fordley, the mastermind behind the sand art question, might well be the most romantic man in San Francisco.
On Wednesday at approximately 3 p.m. I posted a blog featuring photos of what appeared to be an elaborate wedding proposal writ in sand, hoping we might be able to locate the couple and find out what happened. The reaction was swift: Within an hour readers identified the pattern’s artist as Andres Amador; by 10 p.m. I had an email from a friend of the couple saying he was contacting them; and the next morning there was a message in my inbox from Jason’s (admittedly) proud mama ratting him out and providing his email (thank you, Laurie Rickson). In between there were a few doubters (someone commented that there was no way it was real) and several women who offered via email or Facebook to take the mystery man up on his offer if Kelly rejected him.
Ladies, you are out of luck. As Kelly told me via phone late yesterday: “He’s taken, sorry!”
Here’s how it all went down: Several years ago, Jason and Kelly were enjoying a picnic of Thai take-out on Ocean Beach when they noticed Amador creating a mural in the sand. “It was one of our first dates in San Francisco and it was just so cool,” says Kelly. “We took a bunch of photos and it was a great memory.”
Three years later, Jason tracked down the artist via the Internet and asked him to create a wedding proposal sand mural on February 12 (and not this past weekend as previously reported—my bad). The artist conceptualized the design and directed a handful of the couple’s friends in raking it into Ocean Beach. It took them, according to Amador, about an hour and a half to get the job done; then everyone took cover on the sidewalk above the rocks.
Meanwhile, Jason was luring Kelly back to the picnic spot. “As we walked down the beach, we talked about the mural we’d seen years ago,” Kelly says. “When we came upon the patterns in the sand, I couldn’t believe the artist was back!”
Because the design was so large, Kelly couldn’t read the message until she climbed up on the rocks (which took some coaxing). The waves were just starting to erase the edges of the mural when Jason pointed out the words and got on his knee. “I was in total shock,” says Kelly. “I mean, after five years I was getting a bit impatient, but I had no idea he would do anything like that! He told me that he’d made me wait so long, he knew he had to make it really good.”
And, as I said at the beginning, she said “yes.” Jason slipped the ring he’d designed on her finger, their friends (and the small band of onlookers) cheered and the champagne started flowing by a fire pit on the beach.
But the surprises weren’t over. Jason chartered a limo to take the whole crew around the city to scenic spots (such as Crissy Field and Twin Peaks) before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge for an In-N-Out Burger feast. After that, they came back to Ocean Beach for a bonfire. “There happened to be fire dancers there that night,” says Kelly. “It was the ONLY thing he didn’t plan.”
I asked Kelly what women around San Francisco want to know: Is the guy this romantic all the time? “He really is,” she says. “He’s just stupid creative. I don’t know how I got this lucky. He made a huge effort, and it was the happiest day of my life.”
The wedding is set for next fall in the Wine Country.
That is one of THE most romantic and clever proposals I ever heard of, congratulations to them both. And to the people with the negative comments... "Bitter table for one!"
By on June 20, 2011
It's notable that the bride to be is named Kelly, and, the place the artwork proposal took place is, Kelly's Cove.
Thank you very much. (Say in Elvis voice).
By on April 13, 2011
Jason, way to put thought and romance into the proposal! Congrats to you and Kelly! It was an amazing proposal.
For the ones making negative comments... why do you have to be such a downer with something that is so good?
By on April 13, 2011
Would have been more romantic if he had attempted the drawing himself instead of hiring an artist. That's like take out for a romantic dinner. weak...
By on April 12, 2011
If the proposal is this cool... imagine the wedding! I want to photograph it!!
By on April 12, 2011
LUUUCCCKKYYY~~~~ :P
I wish I were Kelly! Congrats to the happy couple~ :D
By on April 11, 2011
Congrats to the couple! Note to guys: it's the thoughtfulness that counts. You don't have to be the most creative person in the world to be thoughtful.
By on April 11, 2011
First email that I read this morning....Just love such positive and beautiful stories...Congrats Kelly and Jason...I'll do the make-up for your wedding! No charge!
By on April 11, 2011
I wish for once everybody with negative comments and "poor me" attitudes would just appreciate what one person took the time to create, for someone else, someone he loves!! Mr. Divorce decree you are in serious need of good vibes.
By on April 11, 2011
Maybe we should truck that sand to wine country and make a dance floor out of it.
By on April 09, 2011
well whoop dee doo for you!
By on April 09, 2011
Congrats, Jason, you have just ruined it for every unmarried man on the west coast. Good luck topping that going forward, real life is wonderful but hard. I know, I've been with my wife for 12 years, going on 13 this May. :)
By on April 09, 2011
I wish it were legal for me to marry my partner of 22 years.
By on April 08, 2011
These two are some of my best friends in SF - and proudly my neighbors.
They are super good peeps, caring, and the number of friends they had to celebrate this moment with them is reflective of how well liked they are in SF... Wish I could have made it you two - lost my own moment in the sand lol...(
By on April 08, 2011
How will he top that for the divorce decree?
By on April 08, 2011
Jason is my Step-Brother and although I'm more impressed with the in & out burger stop (nicely done Jay), then the actual sand art I will say Jason & Kelly are two of the most Amazing people I know and Im so Happy for them. And yes Ladies Im single........ :)
By on April 08, 2011
We know these guys and they are "that" awesome.
By on April 08, 2011
Damn you! This is fantastically awesome and amazing.
The only bummer about this article is my girlfriend (love of my life) forwarded this article to me...
Congrats!
By on April 08, 2011
Way to politicize THIS of all things to the geniuses prior. Your level of romanticism is apparent with every silly little keystroke...
By on April 08, 2011
Seriously, this made me happy - and I'm not Kelly! Congratulations to both of them, the inspired guy and his inspiration.
By on April 08, 2011
so sweet & precious
By on April 08, 2011
I always see articles posted from SFgate.com that always have haters to some level, especially on articles such as this.
Big congrats to the happy couple and it's nice to know there are men out there, either in SF or not, that can make a valiant effort to surprise a girl once in a while.
I'm lucky like that and have a romantic husband just like this lady has in her life.
By on April 08, 2011
Romantic? Sure. Waiting for 5 yr for a man to propose? Not me! I always asked them, will you marry me when my visa runs out?
By on April 08, 2011
There go heterosexuals again, flaunting their sexuality for all the world to see.
By on April 08, 2011
Hi Mary Jo,
Great artticle .... so I guess there is 1 ROMANTIC guy in the Bay Area... lucky Kelly lol , I'm sure he isnt in the Tech Industry =)
Congrats to the couple ...
Sepi
By on April 08, 2011
Awesome!!
By on April 08, 2011
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