Jackie Miller’s extended family had a memorable vacation at Stone Lake in Cassopolis even before Tony Moore of Elida, Ohio, popped the question on bended knee to her niece, Julie Adams, also of Elida.

After dating for eight years, since the bride-to-be was a freshman in high school, the couple will be married next August. Otherwise, they might return to Cass County next summer.

Jackie, of Columbus, Ohio, said by phone Friday that her niece always said she wanted to finish college before thinking about getting married.

The future dietitian graduated from the University of Dayton in June and is continuing her education by completing a master’s degree, including an internship at the Cleveland Clinic.

Tony proposed to Julie on the “Lodge House” dock while renting for the first time from Ted and Brenda Gogol of Maryland.

Jackie said they used to vacation in North Carolina and found the Gogols surfing the Internet.

“Every person we came into contact with in that town was delightful,” she said.

Their family journeyed to Dowagiac a couple of nights for dinner at Wood Fire and Zeke’s.

Tony told the family of his proposal plans because Jackie’s mother gave him a family diamond to have made into a ring, so Jackie was ready with her camera when the magic moment arrived.