Full of Joy

Last night Chuck and I rented a movie. It was my turn to pick (even though we typically like the same movies anyway!) so I chose the most recent N. Sparks movie. Chuck was out like a light after about 5 minutes (still jet laggin' from his trip to Germany) so I essentially watched the whole movie by myself. I am totally not a movie-crier. My heart turns to stone for some reason when I watch movies! Last night was no exception. It was a horribly sad and depressing film, and I sat there dry-eyed regardless. When the credits started rolling Chuck finally woke up and that's when it hit me. He was still pretty drowsy but I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck and whispered, "I love you..." and he responded, "I love you too..." and then I said as tears sprang to my eyes, "NO! I love you!" The tears continued to pour as I felt this man's arms around me and tried to fathom our relationship. This man loves me in a way I never knew existed...

Warning: The story you are about to read changed my life FOREVER. It might just change yours , too. It was 5:00 on Friday night, February 27. Date night had finally arrived! It is always, without a doubt, the highlight of my entire week. Chuck arrived and I bustled down the stairs ready to bust out of the house for our special date. I went to put on my jacket and he informed me to wait. Confusion began to formulate. He then came a little closer and handed me a small, fancy brown envelope, instructing me to open it and read the card. In it, I was invited on a mission called "The Quest for the Roses". I was given rules, awarded 3 lifelines, and an option to accept the mission... Upon accepting, I was handed my FIRST single red rose of the evening. I was also handed a second card, which happened to be attached. The card had a little riddle that I had to figure out explaining our next location. (I have to admit, even though the riddle was personal between Chuck and ...

The story of our engagement really started almost exactly a year ago. Last spring Chuck and I both lost our grandfathers. Though we didn’t know each other yet, we were grieving the serious loss in the same way at the same time. Chuck’s grandfather’s wish was that each of his grandsons (5 boys including my man) would inherit and divide up his gun collection. This left Chuck with two valuable guns, both monetarily and especially sentimentally. My baby loved those guns! His chest puffed out a little farther, and his grin got a little wider any time the topic of those weapons came up. I seem to even recall him asking my brother on a man date to go shoot their guns together some time. Chuck was proud of his guns, and proud to be the owner of his grandfather’s prized possessions. Several weeks ago, Chuck informed me that God provided a way for him to buy me an engagement ring. I was pleasantly surprised by the news, eager to hear what God had done. Without hesitation, my man proclai...

FOREVER HAPPY