50 points to the one who can name that musical number.
1 point to the one who knows why it's an appropriate song for the title of this post.
(Only 1 because it's an easy one)
But for those of you who are still perplexed... I'm engaged!!!!!!!!!!
The facts are these:
On Saturday, Nov. 8 7pm* (time is approx. as I was in a fog pretty much)- Brian convinced me (after I greatly protested) to meet him at his apartment to "hang out and watch a movie" amidst an insane and jam-packed schedule. (morning- meeting. Afternoon- Baby shower in El Segundo. Eve- Pick up Rachael from NZ from Airport. Get dinner, begin hosting...)
I won't lie, it was a strange request*. I was stressed out by it, and was tempted to wonder what he had up his sleeve (but killed that curiosity for fear I'd be disappointed) and instead resorted to asking my sister what she thought about me leaving the shower a tad early and flaking on Rachael. She encouraged me that she had my back and that I should just go.
How could I be mad at my BF wanting to hang out? So I worked on my selfish attitude and prayed God would "bless our time together" and walked up the stairs to his place in a good but tired state.
He hugged me hello and I heard his heartbeat. It was RACING! I didn't mention it.
"So, do you want some snacks while we watch the movie? I have some stuff on the coffee table for us!"
"Um. Sure..." (seeing the spread of grapes, cheeses, prosciutto, rosemary & olive oil triscuts, red wine/ aka all my favs.)
I had little appetite but was starving so I grabbed a cracker with cheese.
"What movie is it?" I asked
"A surprise." He said.
My stomach dropped. I sipped some wine. Then bit into the cracker but it stuck in my mouth because it had gone dry.
He started the "movie" and HIS FACE was on the screen.
I put down my cracker and grabbed my wine. Took another drink.
He started the movie and looked straight ahead for the entire 30 mins following while I howled with laughter, screamed OH MY.... GOSH at every other scene, and teared up over and over. I knew what was coming, but I couldn't believe it was actually happening, and I was obsessed with the fact he'd gone through so much trouble of making me such a great video. I wanted to hear every word he said in it, I paid attention to every song selection and artist, and I wanted to know who was behind the camera at every second as well as who in the world EDITED it and how the heck did he come up with a very cool editing style? I was blown away. He'd done it all with the help of our closest friends- all to tell me the story of "us" in a medium I know (and heart) the best!
When it was over, he slid off the couch onto bended knee and a ring box appeared in his hand. Teary eyed he said,
"I love you very much" and "will you marry me" (the only two sentences I remember from that moment.)
"Of course!" My tears became giggles and I wanted to hug him but got distracted when he opened the box and put the most INCREDIBLE and UNIQUE and everything I wanted in a ring on my finger!
I ran to the light to take a closer look.
So amazing. I die. And so, ME!!!
I am mostly touched and thankful to have a video that he worked SO HARD ON say everything he felt for me documented so i can watch it over and over for the rest of our lives.
For the next several minutes we just kind of giggled and said "we're getting married!!" in between I gazing at the ring, and gazing at each other, and then we strategically texted and called the people who needed to be in the know immediately (aka parents and friends) and took teeny breaks to be all giddy and stuff down food because we both realized we were at this point, starving.
A handful of people showed up to help us celebrate later and offered up toasts and hugs. My friend Rachael (my NZ Sis) had arrived safely with my sister Jaime- and my old friend Kenna from Orcutt, who'd come into town for her baby shower dropped in, my brother came by too, and I couldn't believe at as awful as the timing of the event felt (beforehand) it was all together perfect and had included people who otherwise wouldn't have been able to be there!
Of course, my sister was in on it. Of course my friend Liz was too as she showed up with baked goodies for everyone and champagne. They always pull things off so well (and ha, play it straight when I go fishing for information from them!!)
The best part of the night (among everything) was finally being able to say "I love you" to each other. We'd saved that phrase until then, and somehow, although "I really, really like you" had started to grow stale months ago... saving saying I love you now comes with weight and promise and I never have doubt with those words.
Most of you know my whole story, and as my sister put so well and simply in her toast to us "brian was well worth the long wait" I can't express how much that is so true. He simply is SO right for me, and for my family, and for my time in life. I remember wondering if God had forgotten that I longed to be loved someday- but I no longer remember what that longing felt like because I am so full.
People told me over and over, "you'll just know" or "it'll be worth it when it finally happens" or "God is faithful" Phrases I loathed to hear. But now I finally understand what they meant. And I finally know. And I am happy to tell them that they were right!
So I hope that my story will encourage you too- lady in waiting. Maybe even in longing. God remembers you. And He is faithful. His timing is more perfect than you could ever imagine, and you don't need to believe me because He is faithful. I never understood why I was single so long, but I no longer care. I am just so full and so happy.
Oh and don't worry, I won't be able to help myself by blogging about the next phase of wedding planning so if you care to stay up to date with the developments! Stay tuned.
--
*unusual request: 1) it was a Saturday, and we NEVER hang out on Saturdays because it is prep day for Brian's sermon. I mean, even when Brian has a Saturday OFF we rarely see each other. Saturdays are just never on the table.
But he insisted. And brought it up a few times so it seemed important. He never asked for anything of me our entire relationship. And today he wouldn't back down.
These pictures DO NOT do it justice but it's a "raw diamond" dark in color- a gorgeous lavendar in the sun and as dark as night in low light. Surrounded by yellow hammered gold and designed by a jeweler on Montana in Santa monica (with the help of my lovely fiance). 
