Pt. 3

When we got back from Belize, we basically started "dating" if you want to call it that. I got back before Christmas and Luke came back shortly after. Our "dates" consisted of mostly going out with friends or him coming to my house, which he did almost every night till we got married. I valued this so much. He really got to know my family and I was so happy that they loved him nearly as much I did. We spent months playing board games, watching movies, praying together, and just talking with one another. After 2 months on Valentines Day, Luke took me out on our first real date. The boy didn't disappoint...:) He took me to Olive Garden and after we were seated he gave me this really pretty picture frame for my gift, which I thought was odd, but then said he needed to go get something, and brought in a KitchenAid mixer. If any of you know me, this was huge. He was pursuing my heart for sure..haha..I love all things KitchenAid and couldn't believe he'd bought me a super nice mixer. We went back to T'ville and bought all the stuff to make cookies and made some together with my new kitchen toy. At this point in our relationship we knew we were going to marry, but Luke didn't want to officially propose till he was able to afford a ring.

On March 11th 2003, We had made plans to go to Pebble Hill to see if we wanted to have any wedding pictures taken there, but I was not feeling well that day at all..so of course, I didn't want to go. My mom encouraged me that I needed to get ready cause Luke was coming to get me to go..(She was in on it, trying to get me there! haha) But my foul attitude from being sick made me act like a down right booty that day. Luke came and decided to stop for Jones Soda's next door at the gas station(when they still sold them there!) and we drove out to Pebble Hill. When we got there, you are suppose to pay to get in, but Luke kept telling me we didn't have to pay and the gate guy just made these silly faces at us, but due to my mood, I was unaware and more upset than anything that Luke hadn't paid the guy to get it..! My stupidity at its finest. We decided to park and Luke wanted to bring the drinks, but I thought we'd get in trouble having them on the property so I didn't want to bring them, but Luke was adamant. Again, my temper was ridicules and demanded he carry the drinks if he wanted to bring them so badly. After all this tantrum throwing I'm surprised our afternoon continued! haha.. So we walked down this hill towards the lake there and passed these ladies who were smiling and pointing at us..(should have wondered about this), but then I saw it. A table down by the lake all set up with my favorite foods, flowers and everything. He had made a picnic for us(hence those darn drinks!). As soon as we got down there I know what's up, and he gets down on one knee and asks me to make him the happiest man alive and pulls out this:

The Marquis ring we had looked at at the mall one time long ago when we were still on friend territory.

I of course say yes, though he will say to this day that I never answered him. I must comment on how funny this moment was, because it would have been such a key moment for us in terms of affection. It would have been so easy to have leaned down and kissed him, but Luke and I talked long before we were even in a relationship that we both wanted to save our first kiss for our wedding day. We had nothing against people who didn't, but for us personally we really wanted it to be a big deal, so it was slightly awkward ignoring the urge to have that moment be THE moment and kiss, but I'm thankful neither of us caved..haha..We had a lovely lunch together and roamed Pebble Hill afterwards.

Me in the shadows of a plant covering on our engagement day. It wasn't supposed to be artsy, but kind of turned out that way.