Many of you have asked to hear the story of how Michael proposed, and I want to tell the story, because it's a story worth being told.
Everyone seems to asks me if it was a surprise, and the answer is yes - it was.
Not a surprise that Michael proposed, but a surprise of thoughtful detail and love that went into the proposal.
The day and location were a surprise too, which I am still in utter shock about, seeing as Michael told everyone we know that it was going to happen. His family (of course), all of our friends here in WA (while we were gathered for our friend Joni's going away, and I was in the vicinity - I might add), my friends back in Las Vegas, people in the church ... everyone. Literally there was no one left for me to tell, which I'll be honest, was at first a bummer until I realized that everyone so enjoyed being a part of such a wonderful story.
There are some pre-event details that I think important to share, because I'm just blown away at the love and support of our friends.
Our friend Faith, months prior to the proposal asked me if I thought I would marry Michael. Out of the blue on our drive home from a winter youth retreat. I blushed a little because, no on had asked me this yet and I had never said "yes" out loud! That was something only in my head and heart at this point and spoken silently to God. The truth of the matter is, I knew almost immediately that I would marry Michael. The moment he chickened out of kissing me on NYE and instead put his arm around me. Deep down I knew.
Faith kept all of the information we spoke of hidden in her pocket and when Michael asked she gave him everything. Because of this, my ring got to be a complete surprise - which was so special for me! Michaels family did a great job helping him pick out the ring as well, I am thankful for all of the support he had.
About two weeks prior to our engagement, our friend Jaqui saw me at church. We share the same hair stylist (Cassie). Jaqui knows Saturdays work best for me but not as well for Cassie and that I had been meaning to get in but hadn't yet. So, Jaqui asked Cassie to set time aside for me the upcoming Saturday because I was getting engaged - and "her hair needs to be on point!" After Jaqui casually let me know Cassie had an opening, I called her and booked. Throughout my hair appointment Cassie asked me how things were going with Michael amongst other things, but never even hinted she knew anything about upcoming events! I had no clue it was all a plot and that Cassie knew all along.
Michael proposed to me the day after I got back from Nicaragua, so - Faith thought my nails might be a mess, which was definitely the case. Our friends Avery and Latisha asked me if I was free (the morning of our engagement) to get manicures together - and it just so happened I needed one desperately so enthusiastically agreed!
Michael had let me know that he was going to take me to lunch and that we were going South so it would be warm, and suggested I wear a sun dress. He loves when I wear them, which works out well because I would live in them if weather permitted. So, I picked the one he hasn't seen yet and thought it was a perfect mustard yellow color for early fall.
It wasn't a big deal that Michael was surprising me with location of a date, because this is very common. And, I had previously fooled myself into thinking other opportunities were going to be "the moment" so I had told my mind to behave itself and convinced myself in fact that this would not be the day.
We took the MOST BEAUTIFUL drive. I am a sucker for fall leaves. Last fall I literally chased them. I searched for "hikes with fall foliage" and made it my goal to take in as much fall beauty as I could. Living in Las Vegas for 14 years was really depriving in this area so I am stunned by the beautiful trees here in Washington. We drove past mountains and lakes and trees of yellow and orange, all while I wondered where we were going.
When we arrived, I realized we were at Crystal Mountain. I had never been! Michael pointed to the top and said we were going there. I gasped "but you told me to wear a dress!" to which he replied "we're not hiking, we're taking the gondola". I looked to where he was pointing ... ahhhh. I see. We rapidly took photos during the ride up taking in the beauty. Then at the top ... there she was. Mt Rainier in all her white tipped glory, so close it felt like we could touch! I could almost not pull myself away from the stunning beauty to make our lunch reservations. I can still see the image in my head so vividly.
Throughout lunch, Michael was a little quiet. Lady bugs kept landing on us and it reminded me of my grandma's house in Ohio, which was a lady bug haven. All through lunch I kept hoping the sun would still be out so we could enjoy the view some more.
After lunch Michael walked me to the edge of the mountain. I began deleting images off my phone to clear space to take more photos. A few seconds later Michael took my phone, hugged me, and told me he loved me and would forever. That he wants to spend his life with me. He got on one knee and pulled out my ring. I gasped, it was more beautiful than I could have ever expected! I was stunned for probably two minutes. He tried to tell me Jessica, our friend who is a photographer, was there - and I didn't hear him. I was in a total daze. Finally I recognized her and realized that this most special moment was captured on camera - one thing I had always wanted, but never told Michael, and I thanked God that I was marrying a man who cared for every detail just like He does.We took some photos on the mountain and then rode the gondola back down. We got into the car, and Michael turned on a playlist that he made especially for this moment, our drive down the mountain. I said "oh my gosh" about 55 times, and then it happened. The tears. Tears of joy and of thankfulness and of complete disbelief that I could be gifted with such a wonderful man to spend life with. A man that I truly don't deserve. I could not fathom that all of this was specially for me.
As we drove down the mountain I was thinking of how wonderful it would be to share this news with all of our friends! They have been there from the beginning of our relationship and shared in the journey with us. I discarded this thought quickly thinking it was too late to have everyone get together, and that we would see them in church the next day. I opted we should get in our PJs and have a glass of champagne. Michael suggested we go to the park where we had our first date and watch the sunset. This seemed like a better idea. So, we're walking into the park and suddenly I hear "CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!'" It took me oh, about 5 feet away from our friends to realize they were there to share in this moment with us. The moment just kept getting better. We then went back to my apartment where there were flowers and champagne and snacks, and people we love.
I cry thinking about this day and how grateful I am. For that day. To experience that much joy and gratitude and love. To think of where I've been and yet where I am today. Gifted with a man who loves me with a pure and sacrificial and unconditional love. Who does anything he can to make me feel as special as he thinks I am. Lord knows I needed to know, and that Michael is the perfect one to tell me, for the rest of my life.
I'll end with a quote from Michael "you may have been told a lot of ugly things about yourself. But I am here to tell and show you every day how beautiful you are, inside and out".
I guess that's all the words I have left right now. Hope you all enjoy our proposal story.
Stay tuned for more on our God orchestrated love story.
In love,
Meagan
