Karley Swindel, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, is eagerly anticipating her upcoming wedding! On August 25, Swindel’s fiancé, Landon Sandell, proposed at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Swindel shared with PEOPLE that she thought their visit to the museum was just to assist photographer Wisteria Jade with her portfolio. Little did she know, Sandell had orchestrated a surprise proposal with Jade’s help.
Swindel admitted she had a hint that something might be happening that morning. “I wasn’t completely caught off guard! Women’s intuition is strong, so I prepared myself, suspecting it might be the day,” she explains. “Normally, my fiancé gets nervous and stressed, but that morning he seemed unusually calm. That made me think the proposal might not be happening.
The proposal was followed by a surprise celebration with family, friends, and Swindel’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader teammates
It wasn’t until we were midway through the photo shoot and I saw him tear up and his lip quiver that I realized it was the moment!” Sandell proposed with a stunning 4.03 carat solitaire diamond ring set in white gold.
The reality of the proposal then began to sink in for Swindel. “The feeling of finally being able to plan the wedding of my dreams and knowing I will spend my life with the man I adore was truly surreal,” she says. Adding to the excitement, Sandell had organized a surprise after-party featuring Swindel’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, along with family and friends.
“I am incredibly grateful for everyone who made this day so special for us,” Swindel reflects. “From the photographer to my family, Landon’s family, my hometown best friends, and my teammates—there was so much love and support. I know a lot of thought went into both the proposal and the after-party, and looking at the photos always brings the biggest smile to my face,” she adds. “I felt like the luckiest girl in the world!”
One of her cherished memories from the evening was returning home to share the news with their new puppy. “One of the highlights was coming home and telling our puppy, Tinley, that mom and dad are getting married! If she could understand, she’d be thrilled!” says Swindel.
As they look forward to their wedding, the couple is excited about celebrating their special day. “The chance to plan the dream wedding I’ve always imagined and to spend the rest of my life with the man I love is such a surreal feeling,” she concludes.
