Even as a write our proposal story, it doesn't feel real. Every single detail was so thought out, so deeply intentional.
Oh, how I prayed for a love like this.
And it’s that, the consideration, the dedication, and the profound love that we share, that made this decision the easiest one I've ever had to make.
I SAID YES!
What was (to me) one weekend of bliss with our closest friends was the culmination of four months’ planning, preparation, and butterflies for Tim. And to top everything off, I didn't have even a hint of suspicion that this was going to happen.
After sharing breakfast with our friends, we played basketball at Lakeview Park (I sunk the game-winning shot in Tim’s face) before relaxing in the grass for a post-game nap. Now at this point, all I had planned for the night was a group dinner. I was completely relaxed and just… at ease.
We returned to the house and soaked in the hot tub, taking in the beautiful sunset. And as fate would have it, I turned to Tim and said, “This would be a beautiful place to propose.” He smiled and nodded. I still had no clue what was about to happen.
We’re standing by the door waiting to leave for the restaurant when my best friend says we need to run to the store, so us girls hop in one car and I told the boys that we will meet them at the restaurant. (Tim would later tell me that this is how he knew I had no idea about the proposal.)
Then came the windup to the main event. We’re waiting in the restaurant parking lot, and Tim isn't answering his phone. I’m immediately spiraling and assuming the worst: He’s hurt, he’s sick, etc. We head back to the house and I’m calling him without any response. (you can see Cedric holding two phone, each zoomed into our location to see how soon we’d be arriving back at the house.) Each minute felt like agony but I’m trying to hold it together and keep up the conversation with my friends.
We pull into the house. There’s now two new cars parked in the drive. My fears growing, my heart pounding in my chest, I push door open and rush across the front lawn to get in the door. I’m crossing the living room floor and I hear one of our most loved songs drifting in from the backyard.
“Don’t waste your time… The girl is mine”
For a moment my feet are glued to the floor, the room is spinning, my head is racing. And suddenly it’s like pure happiness surges through my whole body, opening the door and moving me through the rose petals across the lawn, into the arms of the love of my life.
And then everything goes blurry. I remember flashes and phrases: “I love you”, repeated, and I’m answering with “Are you serious?” “Is this for real?” His hands shake and mine do too. I pull him in for a hug so I can ground myself in the moment, but it’s still so surreal that I feel like I’m watching from outside of my own body.
He sinks down on one knee. I’m thinking “This isn't happening.” He reaches back and pulls out a black ring box. “This is not really happening.” He opens the box, and my dream ring is sparkling in the setting sun. Everything is blurry again, and he’s sliding the ring on my finger, and then everyone is cheering and I’m so caught up in the moment that I just can’t even think clearly.
The rest of the night I’m floating on the high of the moment. Our closest friends are there (explains the extra cars in the driveway), and they are talking, celebrating, and eating cake while Tim fills me in on every detail that has been hidden from me since February. And truly, I am surrounded by and filled with so much love that I don't even know what to do with myself.
The next morning I wake up and it’s like waking up from a beautiful dream, and then reality sets in that it was real, and I put my ring on, and we begin our first day together as fiancés.
To everyone who knew, and helped, and prayed for us, I am thankful from the bottom of my heart. This moment will be cherished for the rest of our lives.
Our good friend Premier was documenting our moment and gave us these beautiful photos, as well as a video of everything! Having a recording of our night is amazing because I was overwhelmed in the moment, and now I have every word saved forever.