Yesterday started off like any other ordinary day. I woke up dreading having to work during the day, but looking forward to the date I had with Derick that night. I was scheduled to get off work at 5 and told Derick he could come pick me up at 5:45. Derick and I didn't text too much through out the day. This was a little unordinary but I didn't think much of it because my work was really busy and I figured If i didn't have time to text him he didn't have to text me either. The few texts we did send each other were short and brief, mostly me asking him what he was doing with his day off. His responses were "laundry" "went to Janell's" (his sister) "hanging out with my friends". So on and so forth. The first "fishy" thing that happened was when my boss asked me if I knew why Derick had texted him asking if he was going to be at pita pit that night. I said that I didn't and continued on with my work not thinking a whole lot about it. A couple of seconds later my boss called Derick to see what was going on. They started talking about soccer and derick being my boss's assistant soccer coach. Old news. I had already known this was possibly going down for some time. A little random though. A few minutes later Zac (my boss) went outside and was talking on the phone. He came back inside and asked me if I could stay half an hour late and the conversation goes as follows:
Zac: Can you stay half an hour late?
Me: I can't
Zac: Ok, I need you to stay a half an hour late
Me: I really can't I have stuff going on.
Zac: No, I really need you to stay an extra half an hour
(beginning to think.... hmmm something is definitely going on)
Me: Why?
Zac: I can't tell you
Me: why can't you tell me?
(conversation goes on like this for a couple more minutes) It pretty much ended with Zac saying "you are mad at me now but you will thank me later." Now something to know: My boss is not the type to tell any of his employees they have to do something. Especially when it comes to staying late. If we had said we couldn't stay, he would have said "alright" and moved on with his life. And he never tells us, he asks. So, when he told me I had to stay late, I knew something was up. I thought I knew what was going on. Getting married to Derick this summer has always been an idea in my head. Even before he left on his mission I always imagined this summer would be the one. It is May, meaning a short 3 month long engagement would land us in August--last month of summer vacation. Derick had even told me a few days earlier that he wanted it to happen this summer. So I, of course, was looking for any sign of a possible proposal. Red flags were flying high. Well red technically means warning signs.. I'd say Yellow flags were flying high. for "excitement is a-brewin'"
Zac left a little before 5, and Claressa came in to take his spot. I told her I had to stay late and she questioned me as to why. I couldn't explain it to her. There was absolutely no need for me to be there. I ended up leaving 5:11 -- 19 minutes early. I drove home and absolutely nothing was out of the ordinary. I was a little bummed. If Derick was the reason for me staying late I would think it would be because he was doing something at my house. But nope, nothing. He came and picked me up for our date. Acted just as weirded out as me by Zac's strange behavior. Neither of us could figure out why I needed to stay late! We headed out to Belle Monte, a fancy restaurant up at Sherwood Hills Resort.
We got to the point where we decided we would start heading back. Derick abruptly got down on one knee, while my stomach did a funny flip as soon as he got on his knee he said "hold on have to tie my shoe" Calm down, just tying his shoe "Hold on there is something in my shoe"(as he reaches his finger in his shoe) oh my gosh, is the ring in there? But, no ring. We finished our hike and started heading back into the valley.
As we were driving back he told me that was all the plans he had for our date and asked me what I would like to do next. I was bummed. Clearly, if I was now in control of the night there is no way the proposal would be happening. Hopefully someday soon. I thought to myself. I didn't show I was bummed and decided we would go to his parents house to watch a movie. He just recently moved out and I hadn't been over to his parents house since then, and I missed going over there. We watched the 2nd Iron man. Well, Derick watched it while I slept. Derick told me since he had to work early in the morning we probably shouldn't have too late of a night. Maybe 11:30 at the latest. I was fine with this because I knew we were both really tired. 11:10 rolls around and Derick suddenly goes "Well! Ready to go?" we both got up and left.. a lot faster than usual. We usually drag out the end of the night as looong as possible. Strangely I didn't think anything of it.
The drive home is what really threw me off. We were about 4 minutes into our 12 minute drive when Derick turned down the music and said "Let's talk" I asked him what he wanted to talk about and he started going off about how he wants to marry me, but the thought still freaks him out a little. He didn't think he would be able to afford the ring, he didn't think he could live up to my brother in-laws proposals because they were all so cool. He asked me what my dream proposal would be and I refused to tell him. all I said was "if it comes from the heart then it will be just as special for me" I thought the whole conversation was weird and confusing. There I was going into the night thinking we were so close to moving onto the next step of our lives and within 2 minutes we were all of a sudden back to square one. Derick acting like if we were to get married it still wouldn't be for a while because he just "was not ready" All I knew from the conversation was 1. He still did not have a ring.. or even an idea of how much a ring costs. and 2. he had no idea how he was going to propose to me when the time finally came.
We pulled up into my driveway and he said he had a really good night and he didn't want it to end. He suggested we go on a walk and asked me where a good place to walk would be. I didn't have any idea so he said "remember that walk we went on a few sunday's ago around your farm? That was fun... Do you want to walk there?" I agreed so we started walking. He kept stopping to hug me which I thought was cute. We turned a corner and saw lights on in a shed through the window. He asked me if my dad was working. "Why would my dad be working at 11:30 at night?" was my response. We keep walking and turn another corner to another view of the shed and suddenly I knew exactly what was going on. There were a bunch of lights hung from the rafters and as we neared closer Evan Hyde (Derick's friend) popped up and started playing the guitar and singing a song. The rest is on this video:) As I was watching this I thought I didn't seem very excited. So, just so you all know the freak outs started happening more towards the end and after the video. For the first few minutes I was just in complete shock!!!!
Zac: Can you stay half an hour late?
Me: I can't
Zac: Ok, I need you to stay a half an hour late
Me: I really can't I have stuff going on.
Zac: No, I really need you to stay an extra half an hour
(beginning to think.... hmmm something is definitely going on)
Me: Why?
Zac: I can't tell you
Me: why can't you tell me?
(conversation goes on like this for a couple more minutes) It pretty much ended with Zac saying "you are mad at me now but you will thank me later." Now something to know: My boss is not the type to tell any of his employees they have to do something. Especially when it comes to staying late. If we had said we couldn't stay, he would have said "alright" and moved on with his life. And he never tells us, he asks. So, when he told me I had to stay late, I knew something was up. I thought I knew what was going on. Getting married to Derick this summer has always been an idea in my head. Even before he left on his mission I always imagined this summer would be the one. It is May, meaning a short 3 month long engagement would land us in August--last month of summer vacation. Derick had even told me a few days earlier that he wanted it to happen this summer. So I, of course, was looking for any sign of a possible proposal. Red flags were flying high. Well red technically means warning signs.. I'd say Yellow flags were flying high. for "excitement is a-brewin'"
Zac left a little before 5, and Claressa came in to take his spot. I told her I had to stay late and she questioned me as to why. I couldn't explain it to her. There was absolutely no need for me to be there. I ended up leaving 5:11 -- 19 minutes early. I drove home and absolutely nothing was out of the ordinary. I was a little bummed. If Derick was the reason for me staying late I would think it would be because he was doing something at my house. But nope, nothing. He came and picked me up for our date. Acted just as weirded out as me by Zac's strange behavior. Neither of us could figure out why I needed to stay late! We headed out to Belle Monte, a fancy restaurant up at Sherwood Hills Resort.
I knew he wouldn't propose during dinner but I still had my fingers crossed for it happening that night. We then went on a little hike right by the restaurant. Could this be it?
We got to the point where we decided we would start heading back. Derick abruptly got down on one knee, while my stomach did a funny flip as soon as he got on his knee he said "hold on have to tie my shoe" Calm down, just tying his shoe "Hold on there is something in my shoe"(as he reaches his finger in his shoe) oh my gosh, is the ring in there? But, no ring. We finished our hike and started heading back into the valley.
As we were driving back he told me that was all the plans he had for our date and asked me what I would like to do next. I was bummed. Clearly, if I was now in control of the night there is no way the proposal would be happening. Hopefully someday soon. I thought to myself. I didn't show I was bummed and decided we would go to his parents house to watch a movie. He just recently moved out and I hadn't been over to his parents house since then, and I missed going over there. We watched the 2nd Iron man. Well, Derick watched it while I slept. Derick told me since he had to work early in the morning we probably shouldn't have too late of a night. Maybe 11:30 at the latest. I was fine with this because I knew we were both really tired. 11:10 rolls around and Derick suddenly goes "Well! Ready to go?" we both got up and left.. a lot faster than usual. We usually drag out the end of the night as looong as possible. Strangely I didn't think anything of it.
The drive home is what really threw me off. We were about 4 minutes into our 12 minute drive when Derick turned down the music and said "Let's talk" I asked him what he wanted to talk about and he started going off about how he wants to marry me, but the thought still freaks him out a little. He didn't think he would be able to afford the ring, he didn't think he could live up to my brother in-laws proposals because they were all so cool. He asked me what my dream proposal would be and I refused to tell him. all I said was "if it comes from the heart then it will be just as special for me" I thought the whole conversation was weird and confusing. There I was going into the night thinking we were so close to moving onto the next step of our lives and within 2 minutes we were all of a sudden back to square one. Derick acting like if we were to get married it still wouldn't be for a while because he just "was not ready" All I knew from the conversation was 1. He still did not have a ring.. or even an idea of how much a ring costs. and 2. he had no idea how he was going to propose to me when the time finally came.
We pulled up into my driveway and he said he had a really good night and he didn't want it to end. He suggested we go on a walk and asked me where a good place to walk would be. I didn't have any idea so he said "remember that walk we went on a few sunday's ago around your farm? That was fun... Do you want to walk there?" I agreed so we started walking. He kept stopping to hug me which I thought was cute. We turned a corner and saw lights on in a shed through the window. He asked me if my dad was working. "Why would my dad be working at 11:30 at night?" was my response. We keep walking and turn another corner to another view of the shed and suddenly I knew exactly what was going on. There were a bunch of lights hung from the rafters and as we neared closer Evan Hyde (Derick's friend) popped up and started playing the guitar and singing a song. The rest is on this video:) As I was watching this I thought I didn't seem very excited. So, just so you all know the freak outs started happening more towards the end and after the video. For the first few minutes I was just in complete shock!!!!
After we had our moment I turned around and saw Derick's family and my sister along with some of his friends, all capturing the moment. I am so glad this was done! One of the top things I always wanted for my proposal was documentation of it happening. It was so great to have our loved ones there with us!! After the shock wore down a little we ran back to my house to share the good news with my parents! (they already knew, Derick had asked for their blessing that day. He had actually let slip during dinner that he had told my parents something that day. I drilled him with questions on why he was talking to my parents. He came up with a quick not-so-good cover up story and told me I ask too many questions. Let's just say the atmosphere was pretty tense/awkward for a few minutes)
My sister Jillian, and Josh then came over and I had some more freak outs with my family for awhile.
I could not have asked for a better night. It was absolutely perfect. I have learned time and time again to never underestimate Derick but yet, I am always left in complete shock with how well he does things! He did so good!
I am getting Married!!!!! I have been on cloud 9 all day and I have a feeling this is going to stay with me for a long, long time. I can't believe I am finally marrying my sophomore and junior year crush/ my high school sweetheart/ my missionary/ my best friend/ my other half. I cannot wait to spend my life and eternity with him!
 |
| I've gotta admit.. It was weird waking up with this beautiful thing on my finger! |
Now it is time for the wedding planning to begin!!
Location Background: Derick definitely knew what he was doing when he planned out this proposal. I had taken him on a walk around the farm I grew up on a few weeks earlier. The very barn he proposed to me in, was one I had specifically taken him to, to tell him about all of the many childhood memories I had in there. The barn was my grandpa's tractor shed, and his work space. I can't say how many countless hours I had spent in there as a child. Now, not only does it hold childhood memories, but it holds my proposal.
The ring: Derick has always said the guy is the one who is supposed to pick out the ring for the girl. This idea made me a little nervous, because I definitely wanted the thing I'd be wearing for the rest of my life to be something I liked, but he did amazing. Not only did he pick out the ring, he designed it himself. He just so happened to know someone from his mission who makes rings, so he went through him to design it. I love that he picked out the design all by himself. I honestly can say, it has so much more meaning to me now. And if I had picked it out, I can guarantee it would not have been as beautiful.
Random Fact: Derick was originally going to propose to me on April 1st (April fools day) Luckily, that plan fell through. The sad thing? On April Fools day I sat on the edge of my chair waiting for him to propose. I guess I know his style a little too well. I'm glad he actually took me by surprise:)
p.s. The mystery of me having to stay late at work was solved. They were setting up at the farm and Derick was worried it would run late. I never go to the farm but Derick was worried I might "stumble" over there and ruin the surprise. He called my boss, asked him if he was standing next to me and if I was to respond with things talking about soccer. The phone conversation on the other end was completely different from what I was hearing. Zac had told Claressa what was going on and she was left in charge of keeping me there since Zac had to leave. Well, neither Zac or Claressa did too good at keeping me there for an extra half an hour but the surprise was not ruined:)
