I said yes

On this day nine years ago I was getting ready for a date night with my boyfriend. We were getting dressed up and going to eat at one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. I really didn't think that night would be different than any other, but boy was I wrong!

My mom encouraged me to take the camera so we could take pictures of us all dressed up, a move that looking back on makes complete sense! We made our way downtown to the restaurant looking forward to eating a delicious meal. We parked in the parking deck and walked to the restaurant and on the way Chad realized that he left the parking stub in the car and needed to go back so we could get it validated. I didn't really think much about it, and he returned and we continued on our way.

We walked into the restaurant and they were really crowded. There was a play at the theatre next door and so the maître d' told us that he was going to have to seat us off to the side of the restaurant and showed us to a little private room that was kind of close to the kitchen. We began to look at the menu and Chad realized that he had left his wallet in the car. I was beginning to wonder what was going on because that was not like him and he just seemed to be acting different. Then, as we were eating, the servers would walk by on their way to the kitchen and look in and smile at us. I was thinking that was kind of weird, but little did I know that Chad had prearranged all of this with the restaurant, so they knew what was going to take place and I guess they kept looking in to see if it had happened yet!

We finished our delicious meal....well, actually I finished all of mine AND finished Chad's! I was like "what is wrong with this boy and why is he not eating?!?!?!"...and as we finished, Chad said that he has something he had written for me and wanted to read it. My man is so sweet and had written me poems and notes before, but as he was reading the last line "With these words I have written it's easy to see, I only have one question for you..." he made his way around the table, knelt down in front of me and said "....will you please marry me?" I was shocked, immediately started crying and said "yes!"

(when I look at this picture I think I look so young, wonder why I EVER thought my hair looked okay like that, and wonder how I let my nails get that long without biting them! Ha!)

We're engaged!!

Our server came in to bring us champagne and dessert and so many of the ones that had been peeking in before came by to congratulate us. It was such a joyous moment, and one that I knew would come from the moment I met Chad and we took that walk the July before. The rest of that evening was spent going to both of our families houses to celebrate. And yes, they already knew what was going on because Chad had asked for their blessing...no wonder my mom wanted me to take the camera!

God is good, and I'm so thankful that He decided to bless me with such a wonderful, godly husband. I truly do not deserve him, but I'm so grateful that he is mine!

As I was writing this, I prayed for you girls who are waiting for your husband and for this day to come. I know that He has the perfect man that He wants for you, and I pray that He will bring him to you soon!