{Photos to come!}
The LOVE of my life asked me to be his bride on Thursday, June 24, 2010. It could not have been more perfect! After a long, strenuous and stressful day at the office, we (so I thought), parted ways for the evening. I went to Outward as was typical for a Thursday evening, to babysit for the married's Lifegroup. Toward the end of babysitting Brian popped by to say "Hi" and told me to grab him to say goodbye after babysitting. We met up afterwards and he told me he was hungry and craving Chinese food. I was thinking "Ok, whatever, I am not hungry, so whatever sounds good to you babe."
As we were heading towards Kwan's restraunt, he decided he wanted to go to Marco Polo instead. random restaurant, yes, but a place he always brings up to go to, so it was no surprise. We found the perfect parking spot in front of the restaurant and headed inside holding hands as usual. The host / waiter welcomed us and offered their "outdoor seating" - because it was a beautiful day. Surprised, we looked at eachother and agreed "yes!" that was where we wanted to sit.
As our waiter led us downstairs, out the building, around the building, to the beautiful park around back, I became confused. Brian and I joked about what a long journey it was to find their outdoor seating and laughed as we wondered where the waiter was taking us!
I started to look up at the beautiful park out back. First, I noticed the candles lining the pond and thought to myself "wow! This must be how they decorate for summer. How cute!" Then, not even a moment later, I noticed a lantern on each tear ledging over the water. It was at that moment I got suspicious, because I knew they were my mom's lanterns! Slightly paralyzed on the inside, I looked up to notice not a single person (or table) in the park, except the on set up specially for two. In that moment, I tried to stay composed, but welled up with tears. With the happiest grin I have ever seen on his face, Brian led us to our table. I am pretty sure I asked him five times what was going on as I fought tears of joy.
We hugged. He told me "I just want to tell you, that I LOVE you." (We promised at the beginning of our relationship to not say " I love you" until engagement). He instantaneously dropped a knee and asked me to marry him. I was so overwhelmed with joy, I could not help but cry.... my eyes out.
In the midst of that sweet, unforgettable, romantic moment, i noticed him holding the ring I fell in love with around Christmas time. The only one of its kind that 'disappeared' sometime in February. There was much cheering, clapping, and rejoicing in the background as he was proposing to me. An unforgettable moment.
After cherishing the first few moments with my new fiance, he had me turn around . The park was a haze from my teary eyes, but I saw so many of our dear friends walking toward us teary-eyed and smiley. My mom was with them, which topped off the special moment.
After some "congrats!" and "finally"s, our friends scattered to let us eat and be together. Not much eating was happening on my part, just a lot of reminiscing. Once we were done our friends came back to clean up for us, and we walked to River Front Park - one of our special places. We then sat on a bench, prayed, and rejoiced with one another for the incredible gift that was given to us - the gift of marriage.
It was the perfect proposal to the most perfect man for me, on the perfect day. November 6th, 2010, HERE WE COME!!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Song of Solomon 2:10-12
My beloved speaks to me and says;
'Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away,
for the winter is past;
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.'
That incredible passage has made me teary-eyed and sent chills down my spine since 2008, on my dating fast in Kona. Recovering from a crappy, ungodly relationship, to healing and looking forward to meeting the 'one' for me. I so longed to find the one who I would know would come after the winter-like seasons of my life, and revive me, bringing the freshness of spring to my life always. And here I am.
I always thought of this passage as fitting me and my personal situation incredibly. It does this, however it also rings true in the life of my brand new fiance. It is his story to tell, but after four years of heartache and destructed dreams of what a marriage should look like, Brian, too was brought to rock bottom. This passage not only fits me and my past, but fits us perfectly. I am so thankful for the redeeming love of Christ, and that He brings us joy.
Thank you, Jesus, for your unfailing love! Thank you that you can restore broken hearts, not only to satisfy our human desires, but to draw us closer to yourself. You are beautiful. Thank you that the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, and now is a time for rejoicing in the life of the future Mr. and Mrs. Bradley.
'Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away,
for the winter is past;
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.'
That incredible passage has made me teary-eyed and sent chills down my spine since 2008, on my dating fast in Kona. Recovering from a crappy, ungodly relationship, to healing and looking forward to meeting the 'one' for me. I so longed to find the one who I would know would come after the winter-like seasons of my life, and revive me, bringing the freshness of spring to my life always. And here I am.
I always thought of this passage as fitting me and my personal situation incredibly. It does this, however it also rings true in the life of my brand new fiance. It is his story to tell, but after four years of heartache and destructed dreams of what a marriage should look like, Brian, too was brought to rock bottom. This passage not only fits me and my past, but fits us perfectly. I am so thankful for the redeeming love of Christ, and that He brings us joy.
Thank you, Jesus, for your unfailing love! Thank you that you can restore broken hearts, not only to satisfy our human desires, but to draw us closer to yourself. You are beautiful. Thank you that the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, and now is a time for rejoicing in the life of the future Mr. and Mrs. Bradley.
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