The Unfolding of an Engagement in 3 Parts: Part 1

Part One
On Sunday, January 16 - The eight month mark of "Happy-Knowing-You-This-Long-Dear" Day - We were sitting on Bill's couch after scripture study and I was just about ready to leave. My scripture bag was zipped and I had slipped my Sunday shoes back on.

Bill asked the usual question, "Any last thoughts, comments, concerns...?" To which I replied (as usual), "Nope." Then I asked, "You?" (Because usually when Bill asks me this question, he has something he'd like to bring up. *wink)

Bill and I had been dating for eight months at that point. We just fit together! There were few severely dramatic moments in our relationship and we basically lived LIFE with the intent of one day getting married. Deep down I felt like I always knew Bill would be the guy I'd be lucky enough to marry! It was just a matter of when (as well as a matter of convincing myself that I'd be emotionally prepared for the LIFE of marriage). We had been talking about getting married for ages and ages it seemed. I thought we were just having another one of those conversations when he told me he'd like to start taking the steps to making things more official between us. I'm sure he was a little miffed with me when I wasn't acting overly-excited about the idea. My response was probably something along the lines of, "Okay. Sounds great. Let's keep moving in the direction that we're going then and eventually we'll get there."

Then it occurred to me that he was essentially proposing to me. Oh!

I had to let my brain analyze that for a moment.

I was sitting on the couch committing to THE biggest decision of my LIFE. Already having that peaceful feeling that he was going to be the man for me, was nice: Of course I'd marry him! But now? We're discussing this now? I don't think anything was clicking. Where was the sparks? The singing birds? The Olympic fanfare?

Was this real LIFE? Yes. Yes it was.

I went home, not really feeling that this was happening. We went so far as to even pick out a few dates in June when we could possibly get married! I was contemplative. Quiet. I let it sit with me throughout the week.

I stopped by his place that Friday night after a hockey game. He had texted me earlier saying that he had some news for me! So I popped into his room and asked what it was. He told me that he had called my dad that evening. (You think that something would have registered here too. Nope. I'm a little slow on the uptake.) ;) He told me about their conversation. Suburban stuff...business stuff...asking my dad if he could marry me stuff...

WHAT?!?

Really? Happiness exploded inside me!!! This was real! He had asked Pops! And Pops said, "Yes." We were golden!!! So we started looking at wedding rings online right then and there and planned to go ring shopping the following evening for date night.