My happiest day thus far ....

The Proposal .... 

Over the last year or two every time there has been a family event, special occasion or anything out of the ordinary I hoped there would be a ring at the end of it. 

Since Holly and I started dating I was planning our wedding in the back of my head. 

If you do the math over the course of a decade that is a lot of thinking, over thinking as many have told me ( I tend to do that, a lot ). 

I knew the day would come.

I prayed.

I had faith.

I annoyed the heck out of my friends and family. 

but I knew, someday it would come.

Being my anxious self, I was growing impatient by the day. I was more than ready to start our next chapter.  
I would think is today the day? When is it going to happen? What is she waiting for? 

So I did what any girl would do ( right ? ) , decide maybe I should propose to Holly. 
I first talked to Holly's best friend Tricia about it who gave me the green light to go ahead if that is what I wanted to do. Then I talked to my parents about it, they were not so sure of this decision and we very good at trying to lure me away from making that choice. 

All because they had a secret. 

And I generally dislike secrets. But not this one... 

My Step-Mom Linda ( key liar in this whole thing ) text me earlier in the week to say that she wants all the family over for family pictures on Sunday. 
I first thought that this is odd seeing as we have never had any family pictures taken, ever. So I question it, cause I question everything. 

 About a month prior to this Linda had a minor stroke, so she used this condition to convince that she was getting sentimental and just wanted to make sure we all had a beautiful family pic if anything was to happen.

I totally bought it.

Hook, Line and Sinker. 

I drove my family crazy all week. I must have called everyday asking questions like : Are we wearing summer or fall clothes? Are we color coordinating?  Will there be props? Is there time for outfit changes? 

Yes, I asked all of these.

They were so tired of me calling. 

My step-mom told me I was crazy at least 3 times that I can remember. 

I think she purposely stopped taking my calls.

But I wanted it to be was perfect. 

Little did I know that it was going to be perfect no matter what I wore. 

So Sunday came. I got up early, got all my cleaning done and was trying to figure out the question of the week. 

What was I going to wear?

I of course threw out my inevitable " I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!! " tantrum. 

A closet full of clothes and I have nothing. It happens every single time. 

Holly was a champ dealing with this side of me and she would just come over to me, whisper in my ear and say ... Babe, you look beautiful in everything. 

I of course response in my charming way with, NO I DO NOT. Not thank you, not awww babe but NO I DO NOT.

It must be awesome dealing with me. 

Moving forward.. 

It's about noon and her boss calls her and asks her to come into the office about 3 for an emergency meeting.  

Now normally I would think this is weird but he really called her and they were really on the phone together. Also she occasionally has emergencies at work on the weekend so I buy it. Again hook, line and sinker. 

She tells me that she will just meet me at my parents house cause the meeting may run late. 

I say ok cause I'm still working out my outfit in my head and still fuming that I should have gone shopping the day prior.

 I'm totally ridiculous. 

I know.  

She leaves, I get ready and then realize I have to go to the store cause I was suppose to bring dessert. 

So of course in natural fashion I am running late cause that is one of traits of Holly I have picked up along the way in our 10 years together.

My brother text me to ask what time I will be there and I explain I'm running late. 
I should have known then. 
He never texts me when I running late. Ever. But again I'm oblivious. 

So I show up at parent's house finally .. 20 minutes late. 

I hurry in with bags from the grocery store in one hand, a bag with about 2 changes of clothes in another. my cell phone, sunglasses .... ahhhh.... I'm disheveled to say the least.  

As I walk into my parents house they basically stop me in the doorway. I didn't even get a chance to put my bags down when out of no where I start to hear music play. 
I immediately knew the song. 
It was our song.
Garth Brooks " to make you feel my love" 
This song represented us and our relationship from the beginning and will forever be held in our hearts as very special. 

I started to shake instantaneously.
I knew this was it. 
This was the moment I had waited to for since I knew she was the one. 
I literally froze for a moment.
That was until my parents & aunts basically ushered me into the breezeway to the backyard. 

My dad went to the doorway and told me to head out to the backyard.
I walked out, shaking the entire way but didn't see anyone or anything.
Just our song playing over the sound system my brother had set up earlier in the day. 
Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone behind a tree but couldn't make out who they were. Little did I know it was twinsie so I would have obviously known her face since it is identical to mine. 
Then a within a second I start to see a the legs of people marching across the lawn with a sign held up over their faces. 
At this point my parents and aunts had come up behind with their arms around me. 
It is such a blessing to know and feel your family's support as they surround with their love and their blessings.
They too have been waiting for this moment just as long as I have. 

As they all come together the signs reads ...  
"Did you honestly think she was going to let you be the one to ..."
( this was the secret I mentioned early, my parents and her best friend trish told holly that I was thinking of proposing soon so the sign was telling me that.)
I lost it. I cried like a baby. 
It was perfect. 
It felt surreal.

The sign then parted, someone softened the music, and who else but my person, Holly comes emerging from the back. 
As she walked towards me the the sign came down and to my excitement it was being held up by our friends and our family. 
Some of these friends ( my monkey and MOH Carrie )were even suppose to be on a vacation still but lied about that too! 
So I was completely shocked and delighted to see all these faces whom I love dearly. 

Holly walked up as I stood there with my support behind me. 
I could hear the sniffles, and the feel the love. 
She said the most beautiful, special words anyone has ever said to me and then gets down on one knee.
She says that I told her that even if she proposed with a twisty tie I would say yes. 
She she opens the box, and there sits a twisty tie. 
I of course said Yes! 
But was secretly wondering where the other box was hiding. 
She stood up. 
She spoke more heartfelt words. 
She knelt again, this time with the other box. 
She asked me to spend the rest of life with her. 
Without a thought I said I WILL!!! 
I didn't even look at the ring, I couldn't stop staring at her face. 

The next thing I knew we were hugging, crying some more and the champagne was flowing! 

You see, my parents wouldn't let me the house when I got there cause they had already decorated for what would be an immediate engagement party!   
It was more than I ever imagined. 
I seriously have the best family!

The one who was suppose to be on "vacation" .. my monkey, my MOH!

Everyone made this a day I will never forget. Something I will always cherish and hold so dear to my heart. 
It is the happiest day thus far in my life. 
Now to enjoy all the occasions coming. 
All the quality time I get to spend with the ones I love.

They say the next year will fly by quick, so I plan to stop and soak up as much as I can from this moment. 



Love,
The Future Bride and Broom. 
xoxoxo