Even though we were apart, he made it very special. Prior to last Sunday, I received eight handwritten letters in the mail. All different, all very sweet, all sharing his thoughts.
So, I was happy last Sunday. Missing him, of course, but reveling in all of our memories from this last year. I had been planning to update Facebook with a picture and some words about him in regards to our one year dating anniversary.
After church that night, I sat at the computer, looking through pictures, choosing one, and I sat, deep in thought, thinking of what I wanted to say. I remember just sitting, lost in thought, lost in memories...and for whatever reason I turned, and there! sitting less than a foot from me is Lucas! In the flesh! With a gorgeous bouquet of red roses! I had no idea he had slipped in!!
I screamed! "Lucas!! What are you doing here?!" I was laughing, nearly crying, hugging him, my family all there...I couldn't believe he had surprised me.
So he asked me to help him get things from his car. I went and got my coat, and he said I needed gloves...it was cold. And then I thought...oh my goodness! I think I know what he's about to do. :-)
We walked outside, I'm still in complete shock that he's here. We looked up at the stars poking through the clouds. He said that there wasn't very many stars out tonight. "They're still there, behind the clouds," I reminded him. We talked about what we've learned this year about each other, about trust, commitment, about love. For the first time, he said those life-changing words, "I love you, Alanna."
And he patted the snow on my driveway with his shoe. My driveway where I spent countless hours walking and talking on the phone with him. That driveway where we sat so many times talking in the car before going into my house. And there in the snow under those beautiful stars, he knelt and asked me to marry him.
*Sigh*
It will forever be a special memory in my mind.
Everything that followed was such a blur of joy. Sharing the news with our parents, our siblings, our families, our friends. That giddy crazy excitement of realizing we will spend our lives together.
What happened on January 19, 2014 has changed my life! :-)
So now, the planning for our wedding is in full swing. But we are also preparing for our marriage. For that happy day will be here and gone before we know it, but our marriage will remain for as long as God gives us life. I can't even express the supreme honor I feel being chosen by Lucas to become his wife. To have the privilege to live out my days at his side. I know I can trust him with my heart, to lead me closer to Jesus. He, like no other, inspires me to be all that I can be for God...to use this life to grow, to become, to love, to reach out. I am so excited about ministering alongside him in God's kingdom, wherever that will be. Lucas completes me, sharpens me, softens me. His love is changing me. And I like who I'm becoming.
I love you, Lucas Ryder. I'm looking forward to the day when I become your wife!
1 comment:
So glad for this post. So glad it is you that made it!
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