The Engagement Day

"THE ENGAGEMENT DAY"      (special feature)

This is the story of how I asked for your hand in marriage. This story is full of suspense, drama, love, action, and some rain. It starts out in the summer of 2009, where you were down in Dallas for the summer and I was in Lincoln. I hated being away from you. I remember we talked everyday. and I remember that we texted often. I went to visit you one weekend in July; I really was going to visit you, but that was only my cover. Really, I was on a top secret mission to ask your father for your hand in marriage. We had such a fun weekend, and all at once I find myself in the living room with no one home but your father and I. I have to admit my heart was beating very fast, but there I was. God had given me the perfect opportunity so I had to take it. "Jerry", I started out, "there is another reason that I came down to Dallas this weekend". "Oh, what's that?", he replied. Immediately I began to sweat, and I'm sure that my face turned red. Somehow I managed to squirt out that I wanted to marry you. I remember being very nervous about it but at the same time being confident that I was going to go the blessing. Then, he took it from there. Thank goodness your dad is a talker because after that all I had to do was listen. About a half hour, and a couple sweat rags later, it was all over and I had the blessing to ask for your hand in marriage. Mission accomplished, and so I was off.

Looking back now, I should have talked with your dad before buying the ring; luckily he said yes and I didn't have any serious issues (other than being a little embarrassed when he asked if I already had a ring and I said yes, as if I was saying "I'm asking you but I got the damn ring so I'm going to ask her no matter what you say"). I started shopping for the ring earlier that summer. I remember thinking about how freaking dumb it is that tradition requires I must go spend all this money on some stupid rock just to get a wife. After a little more thought and anger, I realized that it was a small price to pay (relatively), for what I was going to get in return. I had some inside help from different people that shall remain nameless (Lauren), and somehow I managed to pick out the perfect ring! Then I had daddy's permission and a ring; I was set.

July 24th. You were flying in for Matt and Erin's wedding, I was so excited and going crazy. I kept thinking about how I was going to be engaged so soon! I wasn't really nervous, mostly excited. I was a little nervous mostly for the fact that is was such an important part of our relationship and that it was going to be remembered for the rest of our lives. I didn't want to screw it up. You were coming, though, and I was also excited to just see you. You see, when I am away from you for any period of time, I begin to miss you quite a bit. Not only that, but I had this ring that I would look at all the time. I was so proud of that ring. I thought I had done such a good job. It took me many visits and many tries but I had finally found one just right for my baby. Looking at that gave my stomach funny feelings, just because I knew how my life was going to change when I gave it to you. I was so excited because I knew that I was finally ready. I felt at ease even thought I knew that I was dedicating my life to another person. I was so calm about my decision because I knew it was what I wanted and what God wanted, but I was excited because I knew that I was starting my life new with the woman of my dreams. Then sometime that morning on July 24th, I drove to Epply Airfield to pick you up and our Engagement Day had begun.

 

I remember sitting in the airport next the donut shop on those stools, always checking down that hallway waiting for you. Whenever a group of people would come up I would just stare. I remember wishing I knew what you were wearing so I could spot you easier, but at the same time I liked the suspense of not knowing. I would see any tall brunette girl with a nice body and would automatically think it was you. I would get excited and then they would get close and I would be pissed when it turned out not to be you. That happened about 3 or 4 times, to the point where it was beginning to upset me. Dumb, I know. Then I saw you. You looked so breathtakingly beautiful. I remember my heart jumping because you were even more beautiful than I had remembered. I have noticed that it is that way whenever I am away from you; when I see you, you are even more beautiful than I remember. I remember that when I saw you I tried to keep from smiling so big but I couldn't. Your touch was such an amazing feeling, and your hug blew my world away. I was reminded again why this woman in my arms was the woman I was going to ask to be my wife.

 

July 24th goes down as one of the most amazing days of my life; by no accident, though. I wanted to show you why I deserved to be by your side the rest of your life. I wanted you to remember why you loved me. I think it worked. I think that our first stop was the zoo. I absolutely love that we go to the zoo, and I know that you do too. It is such an amazing tradition that we have, I hope it never stops. I think that is the day that we rode the chair lift. I remember making fun of people and loving how much fun we have doing that; yet another thing that confirms that we are meant to be together. Our next stop was Wheat Fields. I remember where we sat and everything. I remember thinking about how you have good manners and how lovely you looked sitting eating your food. Such grace and elegance, another reminder that you are the one. After Wheat Fields we went out to the Village Pointe Mall to meet my grandparents. I remember meeting them at this store where you were looking for dresses. I can picture them walking in and it made me happy to know how much they liked you. I know they love you so much and it helps me know that I had picked a good one. We went to Cheeseburger in Paradise after that and I remember just sitting and talking with them about this and that. When we said goodbye I leaned into my grandma's ear and whispered, "I'll talk to you later tonight". She looked at me funny and then walked away so confused, looking up at my grandpa and back at me while I walked away smiling. I think she began to suspect something.

Then it was more us time. We were headed to Lincoln to spend the rest of the day together and relish in our happiness to be together once again. I couldn't wait to go home and hold you so tight as we cuddle. We were planning on going swimming and "going to a movie". I told you that because I thought that you might be starting to suspect something so I had to keep you on your toes.  I was in paradise. I couldn't believe how amazing you were. I just kept thinking about how amazing it was and how I could have ever landed a girl this amazing. When we got back we made it to the pool for a swim. We got back and got ready and made our way downtown.

At this point in the day, I was shooting from the hip. I had noticed dark clouds in the sky which concerned me a little. I wanted to get to the park soon because it might rain, but I also wanted to eat at Doozy's. I even remember where we parked downtown. On the way in it was decided that we were going to get it to-go, perfect plan. I remember being at the counter wondering if you were having as perfect a day as I. I thought you were, which made me so happy because we are so incandescently happy together. I remember that I got the Italian Sub and you got your Turkey. Classics. I kept thinking that this day was going too good to stay this good. Could it be that this was the perfect day?

When God made all those flowers bloom at that park He had to have been thinking of us. I'm not just saying that. I think that God made that garden especially beautiful just for us. He did such a good job, too. I remember sitting on our bench while we ate, sitting there facing each other eating, laughing, smiling. The sky was getting dark but now I was okay with it because a little rain would be perfect. Too perfect, I couldn't believe this was happening. I couldn't have planned it any better, because so much of this was out of my control. As we ate our sandwiches and remember thinking about how perfect you were in my eyes. How the little things that you do made me so happy and delighted. Things like you love turkey sandwiches, you liked me making fun of people, you like walks, you like learning things about me, and the list could go on. I remember walking around the park and I had such butterflies in my stomach because our lives were about to change so much. I couldn't decide where I wanted to propose to you. I kept looking at the water, a nice choice. Also the top of the garden, not as nice but still good. Then when we sat down on that bench, I knew immediately that it was perfect. I got so excited because it was all about to go down. You looked so beautiful and couldn't believe it was happening. It felt like a dream. I did think to myself that I wished I could stop time because I knew that we were going to think back to that moment for the rest of our lives.

As I held your hand, I asked you the question that mattered most, "do you love me?" You looked right in my eyes and replied "Yes, with all my heart. Do you love me?" I needed to make sure so I asked, "are you sure?". Then you concreted you fate with your simple answer, "Yes". I think you realized I was serious with my questions so you wanted to ask too, "are you sure?" Then I knew it was time. My heart jumped as I reached into my pocket and grabbed the box that held the symbol of my love. "Yes. So sure . . . in fact. . . " I said as I slipped down onto one knee and looked up at your surprised and perplexed face. Immediately when tears filled your eyes I knew what your answer was, even before I asked the most important question I have ever asked you. A question that I had always dreamed of saying but couldn't believe I was actually going to ask it. Then, without hesitation it came out, "Amanda, will you marry me?" Your head began to nod as you said "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Just like that we were engaged! I knew how happy I was when I tried to put the ring on your finger but almost couldn't because I was shaking so bad. Somehow after a few tries I got it on though and couldn't wait to get up and hug and kiss my new fiancee!

Then God started crying. That is how I know He was happy, too. Like clockwork rain began to fall and we soaked it up along with our new happiness. I have never been so happy. I couldn't believe what had just happened. I just kept thinking to myself that I was getting married! I was getting married! I never thought that it would ever actually happen to me. It happens to other people, right? Not me! It was happening to me though and I couldn't contain my excitement. I was so excited that my heart felt like it was just jumping around for joy in my chest. I just kept looking at how beautiful my new bride-to-be was. I was so happy with my choice, I knew I had picked a good one. I have never been as happy as I was sitting there on that bench with you, holding each other and laughing and crying. Not a care in the world because we were together and were going to be together for the rest of our lives.

What fun it was to sit in my car soaking wet, with the rain pouring outside as we called those people closest to us to tell them the good news. We were all smiles; so much, in fact, that my cheeks began to hurt. We called people and told them the news and they were all so happy for us. Not as happy as we were though. We would be talking to people and then look at each other, and every time we told the story we would just stare at each other smiling because we were so happy. What an amazing memory.

We are now just months from becoming man and wife. It's been a while since then and the butterflies have worn off but our love is stronger than ever. We both know what our relationship is built on and with that we know that nothing can come between us. As we grow together we will make more memories, and we will come to new times in our life. Very few, though, will hold as important a place in our hearts, as the night I asked you, "Amanda, will you marry me?"