Anxiously Engaged

Sunday. January 30, 2011. 7:59am. For me, was the day that every girl thinks about her whole life; trying to imagine what it would be like to see him on one knee, to see that sparkly ring poking out of its box.

I cannot believe that it has been one year since that special day. I, personally, like it better when Chris tells the story so I talked him into writing up his experience. What a good sport! :)
"How I tell it :)
Hello all of Melissa’s blog readers I have been asked by my amazing wife to share with you all my side of the engagement story. I have no idea why anyone would want to read this but for the love of my dear wife I will write it.
So Melissa and I started dating after I saw her at my sister’s ward. I noticed this cute short curly hair girl and I asked my sister about her. Elizabeth (My sweet sister who lives now in Argentina) told me that Melissa was an amazing person. So after counseling with Elizabeth I decided to add Melissa on facebook. I tested the waters by commenting on one of Melissa’s photos by stating quote, “your way cute”. She then gave me a positive reply that started our pin pall time together. We then e-mailed each other many times a day for a few weeks before we “really” met for the first time. I asked Melissa out on a date over thanksgiving break but I couldn’t wait that long so we moved up the date to the weekend before. On the first date I wanted to find out quick if this girl was worth my time (douche bag alert) so I tested her. I picked her up and we drove down to Orem (a 30 min drive) to go to this restaurant. The restaurant was closed because it has way weird hours (Pizzeria 721). I have yet to go there. So then we went to In-n-Out. On the way down we listened to no music (Test) to see if we could hold a conversation. It was a success! Then after we ate we went to Liberty Park and ended up rolling down a grassy hill and then we got into a weird grass fight. Well needless to say we have a strong connection from the start and it was easy to tell that we had something special.
After a few more dates I finally met the family. I was very impressed with how amazing Melissa’s family was. I remember feeling very nervous when I first met her dad and I remember how welcoming her family was.
Christmas break soon came and I was off to NC. It sucked leaving Melissa but we had an amazing date a temple square right before I left. When I got to NC I had one thing on my mind and that was where I wanted to take my relationship with Melissa. I new that if I wanted marriage that there was no need to wait any longer. So when I was out with my Mom I told her of my desire to start ring shopping so she made a U turn and headed strait for Rudy’s (a ring shop in Fayetteville). When I first held Melissa’s ring I knew it was the one. The price tag didn’t matter because this ring was everything I wanted for my wife. After purchasing the ring the Christmas break soon ended.
After I got back to Utah I spent a few days with Melissa and then I headed back to Rexburg. Now all that was left to do was talk to the Dad. Finally one night when Melissa and I were staying at her parent’s house we told them we wanted to talk. So after Douglas and Jackson (Melissa’s brothers) had gone to bed we sat down to have the talk. This was nerve-racking but also calming. We told them of our plans for the summer and that we were serious about getting married. While we were talking Megan came home and was quickly excused from the room. After we had talked I asked to talk to Jim alone. We talked about many things and I made him promises that I will always keep.
That night I asked Melissa if the next day we could get up early before church and have some alone time. She agreed that it was needed, and then we went to bed. Needless to say I didn’t sleep that well because I knew the next day I was going to purpose. After we got up and dressed for church we headed up to this park that over looked the valley; we were sitting on the bench. Melissa didn’t want to get her butt cold so she was sitting on my lap we were talking about life and I ask her if she wanted to be an old fart with me she said yes and so I took that as she wanted to marry me haha. I then took the ring out of my pocket knelt down on one knee and the rest is history………… "

Us, after church on the big morning...happily exhausted.

And for those of you still reading....here's my side of the story. :)

"I knew Chris and I were going to get engaged. I just didn't know when. But, because decisions needed to be made and soon; we talked to my parents and ran our plans by them. I was going to transfer to BYU-Idaho and Chris and I were going to try to get an internship in South Carolina. We wanted to get married at the end of the summer when Chris' dad would be home for a few weeks from Iraq. The deadline for Fall '11 semester at BYU-I was Sunday (the next morning) so we were under a little pressure. I was anxious to know how my parents were going to react. I knew that they knew I was head-over-heels in love with Chris and that I was thinking about the transfer. I had also told my mom about the possible internship. It was just so much so soon...Chris and I had only been dating for about 2 months. But, I knew it was right. So, we talked to them. Told them everything. It went great! They were very supportive and seemed to be excited for us. I was so relieved! The hard part was over. Chris talked to my dad for a bit and then we spent about an hour after that talking about our future and how exciting everything was.
At this point, I was thinking that we would get engaged in March or April. I was positive Chris didn't have a ring, so when he asked to take a drive with me the following morning before church I wasn't suspicious at all. We got up early the next morning and drove to this beautiful park in Cedar Hills. We walked up the hill to sit on a bench swing. I was siting in Chris' lap and we looked over the valley and talked for awhile. I felt Chris fiddle behind my back with something, but figured it was just his phone or something. Then, he said; "Do you want to be with me forever?" I'm sure I said something cheesy and then he asked me what time it was. "7:59. Why?"
"You're going to want to remember that." He stood up and knelt down. I started bawling as he pulled out the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. I said "yes" before he could even finish his "will you marry me."
It was such a great moment, followed by a great day. We got lots of congratulations and our faces were tired from smiling so much. I stared down at my hand all day long, looking at my beautiful ring. It truly was a perfect day. "