I Owe You a Story...

Mr. Wonderful and I have been together for a year and a half. From about six weeks of knowing him, I had the sense that he would be a permanent part of my life.  Through time, I became very secure and confident in that as my trust deepened and we just continued to experience life together.  I wasn't hopeful for a Christmas proposal, but I did hope it would be soon.

January held a series of things that simply happen in the course of life: Major vehicle repairs, a broken hot water heater, out-of-pocket work expenses and numerous budget-busters.  So, while in our hearts we were already planning a life together, I was thinking it would take a little more time to get to the place where we could start the process. 

My birthday happens to fall on the day before Valentines.  When I stopped by the home of my best friend to get a birthday kiss, I was expecting a quick hug and hello before hurrying home to put my three children to bed.  It had been a good, but full day with work and school, dinner with friends, small group at church and lots of life happening (homework, laundry, phone calls, etc.). 

I was greeted with hugs and "Happy Birthday's" from Mr. Wonderful and his girls.  We laughed and giggled, and Mr. Wonderful brought me to his living room where said he had something for me.  He handed me the sweetest card and a rose.  He's written me lots of sweet love notes, but it was my first actual card from him and I loved it.  The words spoke of "...forever with you." and he had handwritten, "So why wait? Let's get started tonight!"

When I looked up, he was on his knee with a small, closed box.  "Will you marry me?"  YES!  and I can't believe you're doing this!  I was truly surprised and so excited.  Mr. Wonderful then asked my three children to be part of his Forever Family.  They all three cheered and we had a big group hug with all the family. 

It means so much to me that all of our children were present when we made the official decision.  It really is a family choice for us.  His girls were snapping photos with their phones and so this is the best quality I have from that night.

When he opened the box, I was equally surprised by my ring which is a gorgeous diamond with sapphires on each side.  It doesn't look like a traditional engagement ring and Mr. Wonderful said he kept coming back to it and thought it was so pretty.  I do, too!

I have terribly chubby fingers and the ring was much to small for me, but you can be sure I smashed it right over my knuckle that night!  I've since had it sized and I am amazed at how quickly it has become normal to wear an engagement/wedding ring.  I love it.  I love that he chose it himself, just for me.  So special!

I must confess that the day I had it sized, I was driving back home from picking up my new ring, chatting away on my cell phone with one of my best friends ... feeling quite giddy and carefree.  I was dropped back to earth by the flashing lights of a police officer who pulled me over to say that I failed to follow traffic signal (rolling stop) and gave me a ticket!  Ugh!  But nothing could dampen my mood and truthfully, I was quite distracted by the sparkle.

It's been a whirlwind of a week - we're hoping for a wedding in July, working out details of locations, family availability, honeymoon time and more.  I love that Mr. Wonderful is enthusiastic about moving forward.  I even love the more challenging things like working out budgets and making housing decisions with him.  I love the way we work together, that he hears and considers my input and that I trust him so deeply.  I am in love and will choose to love him for the rest of my days. 

I really didn't know that I would or could experience this happiness!