The Original Because of Love

The day was November 10, 2002. It was very cold and kind of rainy. Josh called me and told me that he was working on a project most of the day and told me he thought I should hang out with Erica and Jess (my 2 roomies/buddies). I remember hanging up the phone, jumping in my bed and telling Erica that we should just watch a movie and stay in bed all day. Her and Jess gave each other this look, but I didn't think much of it.

A little while later, Jessica's phone rang. She ran into her room to get it and Erica went to join her. They both came in and told me to get up because we were going to the mall. I again said that I didn't want to go to the mall. I wanted to stay in my pjs and just hang out. Erica pulled me out of bed (literally) and ordered me to go take a shower. I argued, but if you know Erica, you know that you don't argue to long with her.

When I got out of the shower, I went and found an outfit laid out on my bed. I asked Erica and Jess why they had pulled out clothes for me and they said I was taking to long and to hurry up. I continued to get ready and soon announced that we could go, even though I didn't want to.

The three of us made our way to the mall and walked around for about an hour or so. Then Erica said that she was ready to go. On the car ride back to our townhouse Erica and Jess started to make plans for dinner. They told me that they would just drop me off and they would see me in a little bit. I remember thinking that was odd that I wasn't invited so I asked them, "Why can't I go to dinner with you?". Jess told me that they would drop me off, I could talk to Josh, and if I still wanted dinner that I could call her and she would bring me something.

When we pulled up to the townhouse I saw that there was a parking spot open right beside our front door. I then tried to convince the two of them to come in with me. Neither one of them would. Eventually I got out of the car and went to open the front door. I noticed that it was very dark inside. I turned and looked at the girls and they motioned for me to keep going.

As I walked in the house I saw that there was a red rose, a candle, and a piece of paper on the stairs leading up to my room.

When I looked at the first paper it said, "The Story of Us". As I continued up the stairs each page told about how Josh and I first met, started dating, about the promise ring he gave me one year, how we went to college, etc. There was also a picture to go with the part of the story. When I reached the top of the stairs and turned the corner into my bedroom, there was Josh on one knee surrounded by roses and candles.

He said a lot of sweet, romantic things that basically boiled down to he was so glad that God had brought us together and that he had loved me for 5 years and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Then he asked me to marry him.

I, of course, said yes.




Later that night we went out for dinner and then started to share our news with everyone that we knew. Well, I tried to share the news, but most people knew already. (Thanks a lot, George! - long story!)

9 happy months (and 4 counselors - another long story) later, we were married.

5 years later, we love each other even more than we did back then.

*If you are wondering why I chose to tell this story today, I was inspired to share our story after listening to Clayton King speak yesterday at church. Check out what he had to say about engagement.