Blog

We hiked up to a spot on top of a mountain where we had spent some time in the early part of our relationship just talking. It was the first place where each of us opened up some big doors into our history and our lives. All the way there, Carol confirmed to me that it was the perfect day for a proposal as she told me how special the place was to her and how much she loved me (all the while not knowing I was going to ask her to marry me). We got to the bench at the top of the mountain and sat down. She took another chance to confirm things for me and said, "Wouldn't it be cool if we got married here?" I was laughing inside. Then I asked her if she remembered the penny she had given to me that morning. She did. I held it up and asked her if she'd noticed the date. She hadn't. So I told her to close her eyes and hold out her hand so she could check out the penny for herself. She closed her eyes and I dropped a ring into her hand. "Can I open them?" She did. And her look of surprise and joy and love and wonder and confusion and happiness all at one time was one that I will never forget. So I let her sit there staring at the ring in her hand for a minute or so. Then I got down on my knee and told her I loved her and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and I asked to marry me. She said yes. It was ironic to have to walk down the mountain while we were feeling like we were just starting up it...but I had another surprise for her...a party with all her closest friends and family waiting to congratulate her at the home where she worked as a nanny for 2 boys. "Boy, Carol, I'm glad to finally have all that off my chest and all the secrets out in the open. I wasn't sure I'd be able to surprise you. I'm glad I can breathe easy now." I was hoping she wouldn't see the party coming. She didn't. She thought she had to go to work. On the way there, it started to sprinkle and the most complete rainbow either of us had ever seen appeared...a full arch from one side of the horizon to the other. I had never seen a more beautiful rainbow in my life. I teared up as I thought about God's covenant promise with Noah and we both knew that God had put it there for us...a promise to bless us and protect us and use us and direct us if we would only keep him the center in our relationship. You may think its a stretch to think God put that there for us...but only God could put such a thing in the sky...and I believe it was for us. The party was a surprise and icing on the cake to top off the most memorable day of my life to date. God has big plans for us; I know that...but with God's big plans come big attacks from the other side. Please be in prayer for us as we start out in this new part of our life together.