Okay, I'm ready to spill the story..
October 9, 2010
John had been talking about taking me out to a nice place for dinner for a couple of weeks, so I didn't suspect much, but was still particularly excited to go out together this Saturday evening. After work, we got freshened up and ready to go to a place downtown called the Paggi House. It was a delightful dinner. We enjoyed talking about anything and everything, reminding me of the first few times that we went out together in Manhattan's famous Aggieville.. We were on a pretty balcony with a veiw of downtown Austin. I remember noticing an older couple walking in holding hands, and telling John how great a testament to love I thought it was.
After filling our bellies with yummy entrees, John informed me that it was time to go on a walk. The sun was beginning to set, so we were quickly onto our next adventure. Paggi House was conveniently located near Lady Bird Lake, so we set off down the sidewalk. A few minutes into the walk, I felt compelled to jump onto a nearby stone wall and pull him in for a kiss.. my first clue was the way he hastened the kiss and encouraged me to keep walking, as it was getting dark.
A little furthur down the walk, John began leading me into an open grassy field. It was dusk now, and the city of Austin was glowing behind the trees lining the lake.
I awkwardly asked him what we were doing and he replied with a silly, "I just like walking in fields." (clue number 2).
The next moments felt like slow motion. He asked me to read aloud from a small compostition book in which he wrote things to me that melted my heart, the way only he has done. I stumbled through the words, partly because it was hard to read with only the glow of the city, and partly because I was trying to grasp what was happening right before me. He anxiously and patiently waited for me to come to the last line which read, "Will you marry me?" Now down on his knee, he looked at me and waited for my response, which I could not do fast enough.
Without furthur thought, I half-whimpered, half-proclaimed, "Yes.. a thousand times yes," as I jumped onto him. Knees shaking, he picked me up and told me that he wanted to be that old couple holding hands. The tears came when he slid the ring onto my finger.
The rest of the night was filled with celebration, and me letting everyone in the city of Austin know that we were engaged!! We went downtown for a couple drinks and I delighted in tellng complete strangers the good news. I yelled out my car window, and even stuck my head out of the moon roof at a stoplight. People honked and cheered and yelled congratulations to us. I rememeber thinking.. "See, people do believe in love" (A statement that I have questioned multiple times thoughout life).
Now that you know the story, you should know how I feel about this. It is earth-shattering, crazy, bold, scary, exhilerating, and glorious all at once. I feel like I know what I'm getting into, but at the same time, have no idea.
I feel extremely blessed to be engaged to a wonderful man, that I am so excited to marry.
I look forward to experiencing our joys and sorrows together, our happy times and not-so-happy times, but most of all, I look forward to love. A love that continuously grows through sunny days and stormy weather. I look forward to God's revelation of Grace and Truth in our lives. I am excited to know the ways in which He changes us together and utilizes us for His kingdom.
May He reign in this marriage.
I can't wait to grow together, challenge each other, and continually push each other toward greater things. I am so incredibly blessed.
Our Lord is so good.
I love you John Churchill!
