The Proposal!

Wow. There are few words that can ever describe this truly perfect day. I was already overjoyed, we were celebrating my 21st birthday with a pool party at my Nana and Papa's house like we have for as long as I can remember. My sweet love managed to finally get a Sunday off but I later found out he could only make that happen by telling everyone that he was proposing...how sweet! We went to Cavins and Pastor Pace preached an amazing sermon on how to experience joy despite worry....it calmed Chris down when in the seat next to him I had no idea what was awaiting me. The pool party was lovely and I got the sweetest gifts; l sat looking around the room at dozens of people who loved me, took time out of their day to be with me and, most of all, all knew what awaited when I was completely oblivious.

Chris had already told me that after the party we were going on a picnic at the prayer gardens in Central, SC, so sierra and I got out of the pool and got all prettied up--pretty dresses, press-on nails, makeup, the works! If it hadn't been for her, Chris would have proposed to me while I wore a hoodie and some jean shorts.

As Chris tried to swallow the nerves we drove the hour and a half to the gardens listening to music and talking about life. I was so, so grateful that my love wanted to give me one last lovely memory with Sierra and Tyler before they moved to Georgia--this was the guise that kept me completely clueless up until he pulled out the ring. After we had eaten lunch and were about to head to the prayer cabins, Chris suggested that we take some cute pictures on the picnic blanket....I'm always down for some cute pictures with my sweet love, so there was n oway I was turning that down. Sierra grabbed my phone to take some pictures, Tyler secretly started recording, and Chris started playing our song ("Ever Be by Jess and Gabriel") as he knelt to meet me on the ground.

Sobbing in disbelief, I could not have said yes fast enough. The ring was more than I ever thought I was worth, and the video still makes me cry every time I watch it. The day of the proposal remains the absolute best day of my life...I look forward to a lifetime of surprises and sweet love with this amazing man <3

Photos