Five Years Ago

Five years ago today this happened:

Some people's engagements are a surprise, but ours was not. We had already set a date, called the temple, bought a wedding dress, and started invitations. Really, there was no question that the answer would be "yes!" but he did surprise me with the timing.

As close as our wedding date was, I knew he would be proposing any day. That morning, we had signed a contract for married housing. As drove away with our new keys, he asked if I'd like to go on a hike that night. I perked up immediately, thinking that he would propose on this date! But as soon as I agreed to go, he asked if I would pack a picnic dinner for us, which made me think this was not a proposal after all. Who packs her own dinner for getting engaged? (Uh, me, apparently.)

So we drove to the Mount Nebo Loop and found a hiking trail. We didn't go very far up, since we didn't have a lot of time before it got dark. We enjoyed our little picnic of sandwiches and fruit, and watched the beginnings of a gorgeous sunset.

The fact that he didn't propose on the top of our little mountain confirmed to me that this was just a really fun date, and not a proposal. We hiked back down and drove around to a park. We sat at the top of this huge bowl, and the sky opened up in front of us. We were very much in love, and we gazed at those stars and talked about our future together.

Then he asked if I could do something for him: stand up. I was confused for a second, but I stood up like he asked, even though he didn't get up. Then I suddenly realized what was happening and I started to cry (I have always been a crier!). Then, kneeling there before me, he asked if I would marry him.

I said yes, of course. It was very dark by then, and I sat down with my brand new fiance and realized I hadn't even seen this ring on my finger. I tilted my hand to catch the light from a streetlight, and it glinted of the ring. I remembering gasping, both at its beauty and the shock of seeing a ring there! We hadn't discussed a single thing about what I wanted in a ring, but he nailed it perfectly. It turns out he had consulted with my best friend and sister, and everyone agreed that I was not the type of girl that wanted or needed to pick my own ring. He picked a perfect ring for me, and I knew that I would love anything that he picked for me.

I am so glad that this sweet boy asked me that simple question five years ago. Looking at these pictures reminds me how young we really were. We were certainly in love then, but I now know a deeper, truer form of love from our years of experience together. How lucky I was then; how joyful I am now.