Jared asked me to marry him on Friday, July 11. And of course, I said Yes! That's the short story. Read on for all the juicy details...
It had been an extremely long and draining week for me at work and Jared wanted to cheer me up by taking me on a date. He came from Creston to pick me up, then headed back up to Atascadero. He didn't want me to know where we were going, but couldn't keep it a secret. We had reservations at McPhee's in Templeton - I had never been there before.
We had a really relaxing and fun time together. And the food was wonderful. At one point, Jared leaned forward in his chair and was looking around. It looked like he was ready to leave, which confused me, since I was still eating my dinner. He said he was just really full...
The waiter came by and asked if we wanted dessert, and who can pass up a hot fudge sundae when you're with your honey and you've had a bad week? So I ordered one for us to share. Little did I know that messed up Jared's plans.
We started talking about Jared's breakfast with his semi-mentor Darrell. We had been wanting to do pre-engagement counseling with Darrell for sometime and I was under the impression that Jared was going to set up the dates and times. When I found out he hadn't, I was really upset. It was the last straw of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. As we were getting in the truck to leave, I started crying. I was upset, then thought Jared was upset at me for being upset, which just made it all worse. (Girls - you know what I'm talking about)
I couldn't tell Jared why I was crying, but this was the second time I had ruined his plans for the evening. He told me to open his backpack. Well the problem with that was that it was shoved behind the bench seat and we were entering Highway 101. I thought we were certainly going to crash, but finally he pulled it out from behind me. Jared kept telling me to open his backpack, so I did. There sat the Robbins Brothers box! I was so surprised! I think I just kept saying "What? What?" Then he looked over at me and smiled the sweetest smile I've ever seen and asked "Will you marry me?"
For about 2 seconds I was ecstatic, but then I realized I had ruined his plans for the perfect proposal, so I started crying again and zipped his backpack up again. About a minute after that I got over it and was beaming! Jared explained that he has been trying all night to get me to Atascadero Lake Park at sunset, which is where we had our first date, to propose. We drove in awkward giggles to the park, got out and found a spot.
By this time it was completely dark. Jared opened up the ring box and the ring was glowing! The box has this awesome light inside when you open it. I just stood there in awe and then he asked "Do you like the ring?" Then I said "Don't you have something to ask me?" So he got down on one knee and asked me a second time to marry him. I said yes and was so excited. I had already done a fair share of crying that night so there were no tears. Just hugs, kisses, and pure excitement.
We hopped back in the truck and drove to our secret spot, where we go just to be alone and talk. We hung out there just talking and enjoying the time together. It was so sweet!
When we got to my parents' house and told them, my mom was jumping up and down and squealing. My dad was laughing, hugged Jared and instantly whipped out the camera. It was so cute! We toasted with Diet Dr. Pepper, since none of us were in the mood for champagne.
Here's a picture of us that night at my parents' house:
It's been a crazy, fun, overwhelming ride ever since... And we're so happy!
It had been an extremely long and draining week for me at work and Jared wanted to cheer me up by taking me on a date. He came from Creston to pick me up, then headed back up to Atascadero. He didn't want me to know where we were going, but couldn't keep it a secret. We had reservations at McPhee's in Templeton - I had never been there before.
We had a really relaxing and fun time together. And the food was wonderful. At one point, Jared leaned forward in his chair and was looking around. It looked like he was ready to leave, which confused me, since I was still eating my dinner. He said he was just really full...
The waiter came by and asked if we wanted dessert, and who can pass up a hot fudge sundae when you're with your honey and you've had a bad week? So I ordered one for us to share. Little did I know that messed up Jared's plans.
We started talking about Jared's breakfast with his semi-mentor Darrell. We had been wanting to do pre-engagement counseling with Darrell for sometime and I was under the impression that Jared was going to set up the dates and times. When I found out he hadn't, I was really upset. It was the last straw of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. As we were getting in the truck to leave, I started crying. I was upset, then thought Jared was upset at me for being upset, which just made it all worse. (Girls - you know what I'm talking about)
I couldn't tell Jared why I was crying, but this was the second time I had ruined his plans for the evening. He told me to open his backpack. Well the problem with that was that it was shoved behind the bench seat and we were entering Highway 101. I thought we were certainly going to crash, but finally he pulled it out from behind me. Jared kept telling me to open his backpack, so I did. There sat the Robbins Brothers box! I was so surprised! I think I just kept saying "What? What?" Then he looked over at me and smiled the sweetest smile I've ever seen and asked "Will you marry me?"
For about 2 seconds I was ecstatic, but then I realized I had ruined his plans for the perfect proposal, so I started crying again and zipped his backpack up again. About a minute after that I got over it and was beaming! Jared explained that he has been trying all night to get me to Atascadero Lake Park at sunset, which is where we had our first date, to propose. We drove in awkward giggles to the park, got out and found a spot.
By this time it was completely dark. Jared opened up the ring box and the ring was glowing! The box has this awesome light inside when you open it. I just stood there in awe and then he asked "Do you like the ring?" Then I said "Don't you have something to ask me?" So he got down on one knee and asked me a second time to marry him. I said yes and was so excited. I had already done a fair share of crying that night so there were no tears. Just hugs, kisses, and pure excitement.
We hopped back in the truck and drove to our secret spot, where we go just to be alone and talk. We hung out there just talking and enjoying the time together. It was so sweet!
When we got to my parents' house and told them, my mom was jumping up and down and squealing. My dad was laughing, hugged Jared and instantly whipped out the camera. It was so cute! We toasted with Diet Dr. Pepper, since none of us were in the mood for champagne.
Here's a picture of us that night at my parents' house:
It's been a crazy, fun, overwhelming ride ever since... And we're so happy!
This "Sunday drive" was one of our most fun adventures together. I loved discovering this side of God's creativity with Jared. We are definitely going next year! Who's with us?