Hilariously, the topic of discussion over at Hutch's blog recently has been proposals. They've been recounting great (and not so great) stories of engagements. It's hilarious, because...

We're engaged!!!

Yeah, it happened tonight. Actually, most people who read this blog were there, so I feel a little weird sharing the story. Oh well, it's a story worth telling!

So, my friend Scott Olsen's birthday was yesterday. Kelly thought his wife was throwing a surprise birthday party for him. I even made fake invitations. They arranged to run some errands today, including picking up some posters from Scott's office for decorations. They have this huge Black Sabbath poster that would be great. So, Melody and Kelly show up at the Coram Deo office in downtown Gresham at around 6:40. Only, the office isn't empty:

So, if you take all three of these pictures, you sort of get an idea of what was waiting for Kelly. A trail of silk rose pedals, leading to a candlelit table, with me next to it, holding 14 roses. (The lights were off, but the flash makes the left and right/bottom pic look like they were on)

She was shocked. We've been talking, as recently as yesterday, about a spring engagement, with the possibility of a September wedding. Ha.

You see, last summer Kelly fell in love with the date 7-07-07 for a wedding. Somewhere around last August, I warmed up to the idea as well. Then began the task of getting her mind off of that date, so I could surprise her with an engagement. Which brings us back to the story...

So, there she is, frozen in the doorway of the office. I pull her in, thank Melody, and hand her the roses. Oh, Louis Armstrong is singing Wonderful World in the background this whole time. We dance slowly for the rest of the song, allowing the shock to pass so she can soak up the moment.

I lead her to the chair, and ask her to sit. I start talking about the last time I washed her feet, which was the first time I told her I loved her. Back then I talked about how by Jesus washing the disciples' feet was Jesus telling them that He was willing to be what they needed Him to be; specifically, an atoning sacrifice. (As I'm talking, I remove her shoes and socks and wash her feet) I tell her that I'm doing that again, committing to be what she needs me to be. Not 'needs' as in she's lacking something, but that she can do better than getting by on her own. I slip a toe ring on the second-to-last toe of her left foot. She sort of laughs at me, which is good because it was a cheesy little thing to do. So, I grab a small box and open it to reveal a white-gold ring. I tell her that this ring is a symbol of my love for her. Also, it is a symbol of the ring she'll get for our wedding; this is a completely separate ring, just for our engagement. You see, she has some specific desires for a ring we haven't been able to find anywhere yet, and we have some options to decide from with our rings. So, we can now do that together.

I propose (you don't get the details, that's private!)

She didn't actually say yes, she just smiled really big and nodded vigorously. I think that's still legally binding...

We kiss. Then I lead her in communion, as I'm going to be the leader of our household. I read out of Luke, and we partake of bread and wine. We kiss some more. Next we dance to Etta James singing 'Embraceable You.'

Then, she starts cleaning up, thinking the night is over. But she's wrong. 3 hours wrong. I tell her that Scott gave us permission to leave the place a mess, and I'll come back and clean it up in the morning. So we start to leave, but we have a disagreement over which exit is closest to my car. She's right, but I pretend to be sure I'm right. We head down the wrong stairs, and out an exit around the corner from my car. Oh well, we can walk around a corner. A corner storefront for Cafe' Delirium. The Cafe' Delirium where 60 of our best friends are waiting for us! We open the door to loud cheers and applause. As the applause dies down, I make the announcement: "She said yes!" What follows is 3 hours of mingling and talking and laughing and loving. I really wanted it to be a night of celebrating Kelly, and I think it was. There was a slideshow going of pictures of her and of us; there was music from my iTunes of 'our music;' there was much storytelling and joy. New friends braved awkwardness and comfort to join us, old friends shared stories and new directions in life; it was real community and fellowship. I loved it.

(I know there are those of you who couldn't make it but wished you were there. You were missed! Especially my friend Chad and her friend LeAnn, as well as others who are dear to us!)

So, finally, we cleaned up and drove home. I drove a long route home so we had time to call our mothers and fathers and brothers. Anybody else can wait till tomorrow... After we got back to her place, I showed her all the e-mails I've been having about this night, dating all the way back to August, either from people encouraging us or saying they couldn't be there tonight but wished they could be.

So, there you have it! There are many more stories to tell, like how I wasn't able to talk to her dad to ask his blessing until about 5:45... Thanks to all of you who came, and especially to those of you who helped decorate or make coffee or helped clean up... We love you folks!

PS The date shall be 7-07-07. Mark your calendars now.