my favorite day

Psalm 103:15-19

As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children’s children,

to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

I figure Thanksgiving to be the ideal time to share about my very favorite day in all my 21 years. And also because this is the first time I've been able to wrap my mind around what has happened in the last 48 hours. On Tuesday, November 23, 2010 (around 5:15 PM, just to cover all the bases) Dustin asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him. Never before have I been so sure of an answer to a question.

YES! YES! YES!

About a week ago, D asked me if I would want to have a picnic after work on Tuesday since I was leaving for home the next day. I didn't think anything of it, of course, since we are regular picnic-ers. He met me in the gardens in front of the capitol, picnic basket and blanket in hand. He put the picnic basket down in our chosen grassy area, saying that I could open it since what he brought to eat was a surprise. A surprise it was! When I opened the basket, all that was there was a piece of paper that said, simply, "surprise!" I whirled around, wondering/knowing what was going on. His face was no longer in my line of vision, though, because he was down on his knee, asking me to marry him. Among the many, wonderfully encouraging things that he said, I will always remember that he said what was most important was that neither of us wanted to live like our lives were our own and how excited he was to share a passion for not wasting our lives living for our own glory. Afterwards was an I'm-not-sure-there-is-ground-beneath-my-feet moment. Ok maybe it's still like that.

We spent some time calling our families while on the way to the next surprise. I kept thinking, "what else could I need?!"

Back at my house, my sweet roommates set up the greatest surprise engagement party. It was just the two of them when we got there. They led me into our living room where Abs and Ash were waiting for me. Lots of excited screaming followed. Dustin, knowing my heart, had set it up that they could be there - and an hour earlier than everyone else. They told me Hannah had car trouble and wouldn't make. She walked in about 45 minutes later. More screaming. Another surprise came when Lindsay and Tammie, two of my fellow leadership girls, walked in after driving six hours from Austin. Along with those girls, tons of sweet friends and family poured into our apartment throughout the night. Thankful doesn't do it justice. Thankful for getting to experience this "fullness of life" that I don't deserve and getting to do so it with this man of God who I love more than words explain. Thankful for the most beautiful picture of community I've never been a part. Thank you to everyone who shared this wonderful day with us! My cheeks have never hurt from smiling.

It was my favorite day.