I have not blogged in nearly six months. So much has happened. To sum it up in two words...I'm engaged!!
I reunited with an old classmate over the Thanksgiving holiday and low and behold...he turned out to be the one who makes my heart smile, makes me feel young again, and loves me for everything I am and everything I have defined about myself. It only took us 22+ years to discover this...
He proposed to me on March 30 and I happily and whole heartedly accepted.
The morning started our fairly typical for us (well, as typical as it could get for the time we are able to spend together).
I got up, made a pot of what we refer to as "snobby coffee", made breakfast burritos, and got dressed. I knew that we would be spending the day together by ourselves because he made it quite clear the month prior that I was not to make any plans for this particular day. With my travel schedule and family & friends dominating most of what little time I had to spare, he said he wanted me all to himself.
After breakfast, I noticed he was a little off, especially when he sprayed his breath spray on his neck like cologne instead of in his mouth. After I shot him a "what the heck" look, he immediately realized what he had done and blamed his absentmindedness on lack of coffee and said he was going to run out with his good friend to get us a couple of latte's from our favorite little coffee stand up the street. This led me to think he was off his rocker because we had just finished a pot of Starbucks. He said that they were going to make a stop at the store because his friend had to pick up a few things. I smiled and said "Okey dokey" and finished getting ready.
About an hour later, I received a text message from him asking me if I would meet him at the Starbucks. My initial thought was "oh man...I really wanted that butterscotch breve". I decided I didn't need the extra calories so I came to peace with the disappointment and replied back with a simple "K".
When I met him, he was pretty restless. I assumed the pot of coffee we drank had finally kicked in but started to worry a bit when I noticed he was sweating. We got more coffee, hopped in the car, and proceeded up the freeway to La Conner.
It was a bright and sunny day in the Pacific Northwest and the 30-minute drive north was beautiful. He kept texting someone but I did not pay any mind to it. After we arrived, we parked the car at Nasty Jack's (a well-known, local antique shop), and walked through town. I was lollygagging in each store we went into and took my time looking at various things but he seemed to be in a hurry and kept texting someone. It was starting to irritate me because this was, after all, supposed to be our day to spend together...alone. With him rushing me in and out of stores and him being preoccupied with his phone, I thought "hmmph...so much for a romantic day".
After he rushed me through the kitchen gadget store, he said he wanted to take me to another shop up the street. It was a little wine shop with a deli and had a dock overlooking the Skagit River. Again, I was taking my sweet time looking through the shop and he was texting again. He led me by the hand and took me out to the dock so we could look at the boats passing by.
I was busy looking at the bridge crossing the river and was amused by one of the boats passing in front of us while he stood behind me. We had been standing there for a couple of minutes when he said "well, I guess now is as good as time as any". I turned around to ask what he meant by that and he got down on one knee, took my hand in his, and asked me to be his wife forever. I know he said some other mushy stuff because it made me cry but I don't remember what it was because everything became a blur when he pulled the ring out.
I obviously said yes!
After we hugged (and smooched) forever, I grabbed my iPhone and said "I need to get a picture of this exact spot."
He said, "Don't worry. I've got you covered."
I looked at him with a puzzled look and he said, "I've got three cameras on you right now."
He explained that he had been texting his sister all day because she, her husband, their two kids and soon to be son-in-law were in town following us around and they captured his proposal on camera.
After I forgave him for rushing me through stores and texting all day, my first thought was "oh, my hair!"
We met up with his family at a nearby restaurant and had lunch. It was such an amazing and blessed day and one I will remember for the rest of my life.
The pictures below were captured by our "paparazzi". I was amazed at the amount of planning he went through to make sure his moment was captured forever.
I love him so much and cannot wait to be his wife (date to be announced soon but will be in 2014).
Me, totally oblivious of what is about to happen; Him, wondering what he should say.
Time for a question.
Me, thinking "Oh Em Gee".
Aaaannnnd, here come the tears.
More tears.
My first glance at the ring.
It's so pretty!
It fits!
Yes!!
Yes!!
She said, yes!
I love him!
He loves me!
Date to be announced soon but it will in Spring of NEXT year.
p.s. - I found out later in the day that he had asked my parents permission earlier in the week. Such a gentleman. I laughed when I found out that he had asked them when we are at dinner. I had excused myself to go to the ladies room and he took that moment to ask for their blessing. I wasn't gone very long and apparently I got back to the table before he got their answer. He asked anyway so I hope they approve!