Real Commitment: 10 Years of Vacations + A Proposal!

10 Annual Trips to Cinnamon Shore Led to Marriage Proposal!

After growing up visiting Cinnamon Shore, Jackson Kinney chose to propose there. Having dated as far back as middle school, he and girlfriend Britain had rekindled their romance at Cinnamon Shore after their families from Hobbs, N.M., had started vacationing there together. So, under the guise of a fishing date at Lake Colby, Jackson knelt in front of the pavilion and popped the question.

In on the secret proposal and waiting on The Great Lawn, family and friends lit tea lights, played Train’s “Marry Me,” and poured champagne. 

Keeping the Secret

“It was magical,” says Jackson’s mom Haley Kinney, who submitted a photo of the celebration to the Cinnamon Shore photo contest. She had hidden T-shirts and engagement-theme cookies on the drive down to help with the celebration. 

“Cinnamon Shore has been part of their lives every year for most of their lives. So, it just seemed like a natural place [for them] to get engaged…now we are closing in on a decade of memories at Cinnamon Shore, and we would never think of going anywhere else,” Haley wrote in her contest entry.

Rekindling Romance at Cinnamon Shore

The young couple made their commitment here on the group's 2022 vacation, but these vacationers are also committed to Cinnamon Shore.

“[It’s] the only place we have stayed [on annual beach trips] and the only place we will ever stay,” Haley says."We truly love everything about Cinnamon Shore. Around 18 of us call it home for a week that seems to go by too fast."--Haley Kinney, Mother of the Groom

Discovering a Texas Beach Destination for Life

A real estate agent in Hobbs, Haley and husband Jotty also pastor together at Christian Center Church. Their family of five has traveled to Cinnamon Shore with a group of almost 20 for 10 years, gladly making the 9-hour drive and booking various homes that accommodate their group.

“We love being able to stay together,” she says. “That’s the best part.”  They’ve enjoyed lakeside “Blue Willow,” where Jackson first learned to fish, and, more recently, spacious “Sea La Vie” with Gulf views.

Starting  & Keeping Traditions

After days spent by beach and pools on the property, the families that vacation together stay up late playing games and talking. “We love the bonfires on the beach. We cook most of our meals, but Dylan’s is so easy for pizza. We love the concerts, the movie nights, the snow cones,” Haley says.

On Saturdays, the men cook a smorgasbord of a breakfast while the women visit. “It’s a tradition,” Haley says, adding that back home, when they’re missing Cinnamon Shore, someone on their group text will declare it’s time for a “Port A breakfast.” The guys pull out the waffle iron and skillets even though they’re inland.

Ahead of the annual beach trip, they have a group countdown via text, too.

Fans for Life

The Kinney family helps spread the word about Cinnamon Shore, eager for everyone to experience the joy they do when they visit. “I told my [someone] today, “You don’t go to Port A unless you stay at Cinnamon Shore,’” Haley Kinney says. One of her other son’s best friends brought his family here for a family member's birthday celebration this past summer.

rave about the warm greeting and friendly staff. “Cinnamon Shore did not miss anything on amenities and how you treat your guests,” Haley says.

Staying Committed

These steadfast fans of Cinnamon Shore will continue to visit with the recently married couple and will always remember their fishing dock engagement. “[Jackson] might not have caught a fish that night, but he did bring home a keeper,” Haley says.

Start Your Own Annual Vacation at Cinnamon Shore

For families and friend groups large and small, our seaside village offers a variety of accommodations. Cinnamon Shore condos and townhomes mix with cottages and mid- and large-scale beach homes. And all put a premium on bringing groups together in grand livings spaces and making sure everyone has a restful retreat to retire to each evening.

SEARCH FOR YOUR PERFECT RENTAL!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE KINNEY FAMILY