Our engagement story 7/6/2009

flbluiiis · August 7, 2009

My family lives in Wisconsin and we live in Northern Virginia. Every year over summer we take a week and go back to visiti. Jack packed up the car for our trip by himself. I couldnâ€™t understand why it was so important for him to do it alone; I was willing to help. He had everything smashed into the car so tight the three kids even had stuff by their feet. We had bought a hitch cargo carrier for this trip so we would have more room, and I couldn't figure out why he didn't use it. He got a little annoyed with me when I asked him to repack it using the hitch cargo carrier. I knew we would need the extra room to bring stuff back with us. After he insisted on repacking the car alone, we hit the road.

On July 4th Jack, the kids, and I went up to watch the fireworks in Baileyâ€™s Harbor, and then we shot off our own fireworks on the 5th at my parentâ€™s house. On the 6th, I thought it would be best if the kids went to bed early, but Jack wanted to finish the last of the fireworks. We stay at my Aunt's cottage (really a house) on Lake Michigan because there is more room and it is right on the water with a beach! I was watching TV and Aiden (the oldest, 8 yrs old) came over to ask for something to eat. I told him to check with his Dad. He went up to find Jack setting candles up on the small deck off the master bedroom. He asked him what he was doing and Jack said it was a surprise for me. Feeling pretty special that he was in on the surprise, Aiden wanted to help. After a little while, he asked why it was a surprise for me. Jack showed him the ring and said he was going to ask me to marry him. Aiden was even more excited to be part of it. He helped finish setting up the candles and then came down to get me. He said that Daddy needed me upstairs right now. I was less than excited about having to get up and move. I started up the stairs... they curve around a corner so when I turned to go up the next flight... I saw candles. I couldn't believe Jack had those out and lit now! After all he was the one that wanted the kids to stay up. I followed the candles and they let me out on the small deck off the master bedroom. When I got out there I saw more candles lit in the shape of a heart on the table. Jack stepped out and held my hands. I could feel his hands were shaking and I could hear his heart beating! I knew what was happening.....I was completely shocked. I canâ€™t remember much of what he said, but then he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I couldnâ€™t really get much out other than â€œuh-huhâ€ and shook my head! As he stood up to hug me, I noticed the kids were downstairs on the lower deck watching. Jack and I went down to get them and they were super excited. I said this means you guys are stuck with me, is that okay. They all said YES!

Little did I know the reason Jack wanted to pack the car himself is because he had hidden the ring, the paperwork, and 5 dozen candles in the back!

The Mandy in Chandy · August 7, 2009

I love it!! that is so sweet! It reminds me of my dad when he asked my mom to marry him. He asked my sisters (from her first marriage) for her hand! lol!