I’m engaged!!!
I still can’t believe those words can come out of my mouth. It’s been two weeks since Blake proposed and we are still on a high from the fact that we are going to be husband & wife. God is GOOD.
It’s really cool to look back at our story and recognize the times when God clearly paved a way for us to be together. For those who don’t know, Blake and I met over Instagram. He lived in Houston, TX and I lived in San Jose, CA. The fact that Blake just happened to stumble across my fitness Instagram is still no coincidence to me. God knew the man I had been praying for and the woman that Blake had been praying for over many years.
Turns out, I was kept in the dark for quite awhile. Everyone knew about the proposal for a couple months before Blake actually popped the question. And I mean everyone or it least is felt that way. I am impressed (and a little scared) that everybody did such a good job hiding it from me!
In September 2016, Blake, myself, and many of our friends vacationed in Lake Tahoe, CA. This is easily one of mine and Blake’s favorite places on earth. (You should go ASAP.) Weeks before the trip, Blake mentioned that he wanted to take nice photos on the beach with his professional camera. As an early Christmas gift, he was going to have a photo printed on a large canvas for my apartment. I was all for the idea! One of Blake’s best friends and his girlfriend said they wanted to get in on the fun, too. So, the day we made it to Tahoe (finally), Blake, myself, and our two friends scouted out a pretty beach that would make for the perfect sunset background.
Blake started by taking photos of Carlo and Kacie. Blake told Kacie to turn her back to Carlo, while he ran up behind her, tickled her, hugged her, and ultimately captured a ridiculously adorable photo. Since Blake has photography experience, I didn’t think anything of it. It seemed like a pretty legit idea to me!
When it was our turn for photos, Blake told me that we were going to stage the same photo. So, I turned around and waited anxiously for him grab me from behind and tickle me. I swear I was twitching as I anticipated him coming up behind me. Several seconds passed.. I was about one second away from turning around to see what was taking so long when I heard, “hey, can you turn around?” I turned and there he was on one knee. I swear my heart stopped beating for a few seconds. I was in complete shock. It’s one thing to imagine that special moment, but when it actually happens, nothing prepares you for the feelings that flow through your body.
Blake told me when we first started dating that he made a promise to himself years ago. He wanted to wait until the day he proposed to his future wife to say “I love you” for the first time. While I wasn’t sure I could wait until (or if) that day came, I respected his wishes and his intentions behind it.
So, as he was kneeled down in front of me, he continued to say, “there is something I have been wanting to tell you for a long time.. I love you! Will you spend the rest of your life with me?” Again, my heart froze and those words meant more than I could have imagined.
After the proposal, he gave me a two-page, handwritten letter. We sat on the beach and read it together. I’m telling you, those moments and memories still feel so surreal. I will treasure them for the rest of my life!
I spent a lot of time praying for God to bring the right man into my life, a man of God with a sense of humor, a caring and loving spirit, and someone who would pursue Him with his whole heart, as well as pursue me.
I can confidently tell you that God is faithful and good. He will always come through for you, even if it isn’t according to your timeline.
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11.
