Our Engagement Story

Nelson really wanted to go running that day.  He made me promise come rain, snow, whatever, we'd go running.  So, in preparation, I did the very smart thing and ran about 3 miles with my roommate... do I usually go running? No. Did I overestimate myself and my athletic abilities? Yes.  So the next day (Friday) I was in... a. lot. of. pain. I could barely do anything.  It was a fun sight to see for everyone at work.

When I got home, I called Nelson and begged to not go. I did NOT want to go running.  But... all my pleading did no good for me.  So reluctantly, I changed and then made my way outside to sit on our bench on our "porch."..... BUT IT WASN'T THERE!  Panic started going through my body and I frantically started texting my roommates, seeing if one of them had taken it.  No one seemed to care though as much as me.  Why, do you ask, did I care that much?  Because this bench meant so much to the relationship Nelson and I have!  On that bench, in the late hours of the night, we'd sit in the frigid cold weather and milestones in our relationship was achieved.  I gave him an ultimatum on that bench... we said "I love you" for the first time on that bench... we always said goodnight on a good note when we sat on that bench.  So you can understand why I was so worried when I went outside to find out it was gone!  When Nelson came over, I told him I was thinking about calling the police... and he said that my landlord had probably taken it.  When he-- the other half of why this bench was significant-- wasn't concerned either, I just figured I was overreacting.

So we then left in his car to go running... I thought it was odd that we were driving the location to exercise.  Doesn't that defeat the purpose of running?  He said he wanted to go to Utah Lake and run because of the scenery and I said "alright" but still thought it was strange. :)  When we got there though, it was absolutely beautiful.  The sun was setting.... the clouds streaked across the horizon... the sky was a bright red orange/yellow.... the water was still and reflecting this beauty.... it was breathtaking.  So I completely understood why he wanted to run at that location!

We got out and started running... but sadly for him, I'm not a big conversationalist when I run.  I put on my big headphones and turned on my iPod, but Nelson kept talking. :)  After a few glances and nods in his direction and him continuing to talk, I teasingly said to him, "Why are you still talking!?" Poor guy.... I was so sore and it just isn't in my nature to be a huge talker when I run.  Soon, he grabbed my hand and we walked the rest of the way to the end of the pier.  It looked like a big cul-de-sac surrounded by water with three large snowbanks at the end.  When we got to the end, Nelson said that he had hurt his foot and wanted to check it out.  While he did this though, he asked if I wouldn't look.  I didn't think it was weird at that time, so I turned around, closed my eyes, and put my headphones back on.  After asking him a few times if he was alright, and some songs going by... I was wondering what was going on.  I was concerned that he had really gotten hurt or that it wasn't just his foot.  He had previously ran a marathon (literally right before he picked me up for a BBQ date in September) and hurt his foot... so I was starting to get worried.  He said he was about done, and I heard him walking towards me.

He told me he wanted to talk to my parents about a certain issue (I'm sure you know) and as he said that, I thought that tonight was the night he wanted toreally talk about getting married-- I was completely clueless what was going on.  When I opened my eyes, he had changed into a tux and there was the bench-- placed for us to look at the Utah Lake sunset.  There, he sat me down and asked me to marry him.

And then he gave me this:

You think it's pretty in that picture.. you should see it in person.


I never want to take it off [but sometimes I have to... silly dishes and sleep. who needs to do those things right?? ;) ].

The moment that I really realized what was going on... it was the most amazing feeling.  It didn't feel real.  It felt like a dream... I kept thinking, "No... thiscannot be happening right now!  No.... oh wait, he's still on one knee.... he's pulling out a small box.... oh my goodness there is something shiny in there... oh yup, there it is... is this really happening?!?!" While all this was going on in my head, I was saying "yes!" a few times... just in case it was real. Oh, and it was. 

Remember how when you were a little girl you'd dream about the day you'd get married? You'd fantasize about your Prince Charming and wonder who it'd be... I remember one of my last Young Women's activities was a wedding time capsule.  This time capsule contained my "dream wedding plans" and also the "dream" guy... I can't wait to open it and laugh.  I can't wait to laugh because the guy that I dreamed about then... compares to nothing to the guy that I have now and gearing up to spend forever with. He brings joy into my life and I'm so excited I am sealed to him for time and all eternity.  It's going to be a fun ride. It has been already, and we both know it always will be.