(Please don't judge me for my outgrown nails. I'm getting them redone today!)That's right. We're engaged, baby! I think I've already bragged it to death, but I was thinking over the last few days how sad it will be when I've forgotten all of the feelings and little details of the day and our engagement. After all, the fiancee stage will be the shortest one in our lives. Gabriel was my boyfriend (officially) for 10 months, and he will be my eternal companion, but the fun engaged part is so brief. You know, the part where everyone knows you're head over heels. When you're married, everyone knows its fun for a little while, but then its just every day life. Your days are consumed with work, kids, dinner, homework, baths... its not always the most exciting time. But when you are engaged, its wedding dresses and cake tasting and getting used to the sparkle on your left hand. (And boy, does my left hand sparkle! ;))
So, because I don't have a journal (I think we call can see why. See also: last blog post in April), I really want to document how I felt, what the day was like, and how its been since I said 'yes!'. And because we are Generation: Overshare, YOU, my dear reader(s?) get to experience it with me. :)
So, the day started the way any magical day would, with Kneaders french toast and smoothies. Then we headed off to look at houses. It was so much fun, but at the last house, I tried to hug Gabriel and he jumped away from me. I posted on my Facebook that I was pretty sure he had my ring.
We had made plans to go downtown to dinner at Tucanos, his favorite restaurant, so after we looked at houses, he made a reservation for that evening. We had some downtime, so we took my car to get her brakes redone, and then took Trax into Salt Lake. When we got there, he said he wanted to go walk around by the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, so we headed that way. On the way there, we saw a horse-drawn carriage. The driver saw us looking and asked if we wanted a ride. He had a tour of Memorial Grove that was 40 minutes long, so we decided to do that.
It was so fun! The driver went through downtown and pointed out all of the old houses that were built in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The history geek in me loved it.
So we drove through Memorial Grove, and it was so perfect. There were families and brides and couples taking pictures scattered through the park. The leaves were frozen in a perfect Fall pattern of yellow, red and orange. The creek was bubbling next to us. It was a beautiful day.
As the carriage turned around, I realized G had his hand in his coat pocket. He started talking a couple times and stopped. Our carriage driver informed us that we were passing 'proposal bridge'. A moment later, Gabriel said: 'Well, since we're passing Proposal Bridge, I better do my part' and pulled out the small gray ring box. Then he said, 'I want to be with you, married for eternity in the House of the Lord. I want to be selfish and be with you forever.' (box opens) 'Will you marry me?'
That, my friends, is what I want to remember always. His voice, the way he kind of ducked his head and gave me the sweetest, most loving, humble look, with a hint of a nervous grin when he asked me to marry him. I want to remember looking at the ring in the box, amazed that it is mine forever. Feeling so in love with him, and amazed that HE is mine forever. I want to remember the flowers he sent me the day before. The 18 colorful roses that are still sitting on the kitchen table. That after I said yes, he just kind of looked at me, and I had to ask him if he was gonna put the ring on my finger. And, 'I don't know what to do with this other ring, so here!' (talking about the wedding band). how it felt to kiss my fiance for the first time. Getting used to the weight of the ring on my hand. The feeling of having, for as brief as it was, an aspect of our relationship that was all ours, no one knew (except the driver, and Charlie the horse) that we were engaged yet.
We waited til the ride was over to call our families and tell them. I wanted to have a moment to bask in the tide of happiness before the flurry of 'Let me see that RING!' and 'So how did he do it!' started. Which is exciting in its own right, of course.
I can't believe how lucky I am to have him in my life. I can't wait to start my forever with him. I am so, so thankful for everything that he is. His kindness, the way he loves my insane family, his motivation to take care of our family. He doesn't ever make excuses or let laziness rule his life. He is a worthy priesthood holder. He has made all the right choices in life so that I could make the wrong ones and we are still ok. He makes me feel beautiful, and worthy, like no one ever has before.
I am also thankful to our friends and family, for the outpouring of love and support from them. They genuinely love us and want to help us in any way they can, and we adore them for it.
And with that, Let the wedding planning begin!
