the night I said yes // september 23, 2017

It started out like any other Saturday morning. I awoke to a "good morning" text from Josiah, saying he would be over soon to take me out to breakfast. I was up, showered, and waiting when he arrived.
I remember thinking that morning,
"I wonder if he will ask me to marry him today?"

This may not be for everyone but, I knew he had a ring for me.
How? Because I was there when he bought it. *wink*
Living long distance, you do a lot of talking. A lot. Seven hours worth on FaceTime a day. We discussed, planned, and dreamed together.
When I finally flew there, he told me he wanted to buy me a ring. I was a little surprised when he first said it. We knew we were going to marry, but due to finances, I thought it may be awhile.
Still, I was all for it. I hate being apart from him and "when you know, you know." I knew. He knew. Why wait?
Next on the list: finding a ring.
He asked a few family members advice on where to go. We browsed online. He had found a set he liked and showed it to me. Imagine my surprise when it was almost exactly what I had envisioned in my mind! And all I had told him was I wanted rose gold! We were already thinking alike. *smiles*


The Saturday before, we hit the road and drove an hour to a jewelry store suggested by someone. Walking in was a little overwhelming, but soon we relaxed. The lady there asked what we were looking for, and brought out a rose gold ring. Imagine our surprise when the set she brought together was the exact one we had looked at online! It was just meant to be.
Before we knew it, rings were bought, and we were heading back towards home.


My parents were flying out the next weekend, unexpectedly, and Josiah said he would just wait until he could talk to my Dad in person about asking for my hand. Made sense to me.


So why did I even think that maybe he would ask me the following Saturday? My parents flew in that night.
"I'm sure he will just wait and talk to Daddy in the next few days."
He made it to my Grandma's and we headed out to breakfast, hand in hand. The sun was shining. It was cold and crisp. A lovely way to begin a day.

That dimpled smile (yes. he has a dimple.) and baby blues? *gasp* I am one lucky girl.

After breakfast we headed to Josiah's house, and said hello to the family. His Mom and sisters were having a garage sale so we browsed through the items. After awhile, Josiah disappeared on me. I just hung out in the house, watching the activity outside. I thought he had gone off to use the bathroom.
When he finally emerged, he said we could head out. We planned to go tour a local historic mansion.
"Oh! I am going to use the bathroom first."
I looked at him funny.
"Well where in the world were you before?"
He just grinned at me and took off down the hallway.
Even after that little thought I had that morning, nothing crossed my mind.
We headed on the road and toured the "Barrett Mansion". It was breath taking and a lot of fun! I absolutely loved it.

Shiplap!

We had to put little wraps on our shoes to protect the floors. *giggles*

After the mansion, we stopped at an old cemetery. Maybe I am odd, but I love reading old headstones. We don't have such old history here out west, as we are still "young". It's exciting to see dates like "1786".

Soon we grew tired and hungry so we headed back to Ed and Rachel's (Josiah's parents). We hung out, drank coffee, and Josiah taught me how to shoot his '22.

We did not have to pick my parents up until midnight from the airport, so we had some time to kill. At first we watched some movies, but Josiah became restless and wanted to do something. We finally decided to go hike Kidder Mountain. We had not been yet this trip, and its a sort of special place for us. The last place we went together on my trip out there before, and also where he carved our initials in a tree.
As we walked up the trail, I'll admit I peaked at his pockets to see if I could see a ring box. I couldn't.
"Stop thinking anything. He isn't going to ask you yet!"
This time, I believed myself, and just enjoyed the stroll.

Josiah seemed a little more serious, but he had a lot on his mind. We just walked along, and I talked his ear off about who knows what. I do that a lot. *wink*
A beautiful sunset filled the sky and Josiah played Alan Jackson hymns on his phone. The air was cooling and everything felt right.
As we headed on up the trail, coyotes decided to start yipping. Loud. And close. I became nervous and wanted to turn around. So turn around we did, and headed back down the road.

Josiah strayed off the trail and sat on a large rock, facing the sunset. So I followed suit. We had time to kill before the airport.
We were just sitting there quietly, when Josiah softly said,
"So I talked to your dad."
I think my eyes nearly popped out of my head! I was so surprised!


You always imagine your proposal. How it will go. What you will say. But it all happens so quickly, you don't truly have time to absorb it. He asked, I said yes, he slipped the ring on my finger. Some tears were shed, and smiles were shared. It was amazing. Finally. I was going to truly be his. Now we could plan.

I later discovered that when he disappeared at his house, he had been talking to my Dad.
He had wanted to ask me at the Barrett Mansion, and then at the cemetery, but none of the "right moments" came.
I am happy it happened on Kidder, beneath a red and yellow sunset, with hymns singing through the crisp air. It was a night I will never forget.

A message from Jesus was sent from above

He sent me you to have and to love

He didn't send money, wealth, or fame

He sent me you in Jesus' name.

- country song



The Lord has blessed me far more than I deserve. I praise Him daily for this precious gift of love He sent me in an earthly companion. Someone to share my joys and struggles. To help me fight this world and someone who always points me to Jesus. Josiah is my other half. My best friend. The one who completes me.

We aren't perfect, but who is? I always like to tell Josiah,

"We're two imperfect people, perfect for each other."

I pray I can be the wife Josiah needs, and that Jesus will always be our guide.

I love you, Josiah Karl. Thank you for asking me to be yours.