After 2 “not dates”, a hand full of real dates and a million Skype dates I am engaged to the man of my dreams.
I was surprised with a phone call on September 29th. He was home from Afghaniston for leave. I was so excited that when I hung up the phone I sprained my foot from jumping up and down screaming. That didn’t keep me from running outside to tell my dad the best news I’ve ever received.
We’ve known each other for 4 years but have really gotten to know each other the beginning of this year. When John started emailing me I was cautious. I would wait a few days or so before emailing him back. I did not want him thinking I was interested in a relationship. That was the last thing on my list and I was just fine all by myself. I even told my sisters I wasn't sure about his intentions and I thought it was weird. Well, I do believe God had other plans for me and was laughing the whole time. April 25th was our first “not date” and our second on April 29th before he left for the month of May for training. May 21st was our first real date. But he was only home for the weekend. That is the most we had dated up until this point. He left, gone for 130 days. I believe that we have one of the strongest foundations any two people could ever ask for in a relationship. So, He was home. We dated. We laughed. We had Christmas in October. We meet family. We made plans for the future. We got to hold hands. One of my favorite sayings now is “Don’t take things for granted” Holding his hand means more to me than I ever thought it would.
October 2nd, He asked my dad for his blessing. Thankfully, my dad likes him! Jthat’s a huge bonus! October 8th, I thought he was having second thoughts. Come to find out it was the little boy coming out of him that was so nervous. We were sitting in the gazebo, it was dark and the frogs and bugs were chirping. The most romantic moment ever. I could feel his heart start to spend up, he pulls away looking at me with the biggest smile on his face, gets down on one knee and asks, “Will you marry me?” I, of course replied with the biggest smile “YES”
I get to marry my best friend. The one that I’ve been waiting for to come into my life. The man that I want to grow old with, to have babies with, that I can be myself with. We’ve finally found each other and we get to say “I do” before our God and families in 280 days. I can truly feel God pouring down his blessings on John and I.
He's now back in Afghanistan and has been for just shy of a month. The home stretch of the deployment! Only 148 days until April 1st. It will be later in the month when we will finally be reunited but I don't really feel like counting those days! :)
Hours turn into days. Days turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months. The next 148 days will be over before we know it! I love you so much John!
I almost forgot something so important.....I finally faced my biggest fear and John got to go with me. We went skydiving together. It was amazing but that is a blog in its self ! ;)
