Saturday, November 15, 2014
Derek had originally planned on asking me to marry him around Christmastime but things changed when he found out about a job opportunity that was too good to pass up. Our friend Trevor asked Derek about coming to work with him for a low voltage electricity company. Derek considered the idea but when he found out that the company’s first contract was in North Carolina, he decided it wouldn’t work. Although he had only been in California for two years, Derek had found a new place to call home and didn’t want to leave behind his church family and of course, me. He called me to let me know that he decided not to take the job since it was in North Carolina.
Our phone conversation went something like this:
Derek: “Babe, I talked to Trev about the job. I don’t think it’s going to work . . . it’s in North Carolina . . . ”
Me: “So? . . . ”
Derek: “Well, I’d have to quit TC (Training Center – a seminary type program at our church) . . . ”
Me: “Well, why? There’s a guy FaceTiming in from New Zealand, it’s probably more inconvenient for him than it would be for you if you moved because at least you’d still be in the country.”
Derek: “Well I wouldn’t want to leave you.”
Me: “Well, I’ll come with you!”
Derek: “Well, I don’t really want to leave our church. I’m settled out here and I really like California.”
Me: “Babe, this is really exciting! It sounds like a really good opportunity to learn a new skill and to grow and move up in a company and there are other good churches. Besides, if you take this job, my dad will let you marry me.”
Derek: “Babe!”
Me: “Well, if you’re looking for the girl who’s going to tell you what you want to hear, that’s not me.”
Long story short, Derek decided to take the job and once he made the decision a few of the details changed. Originally, it was supposed to be in North Carolina for eight months but was changed to Austin, Texas. The next change was that the job was going to be for six to eight years rather than eight months. Derek was going to be leaving for the job around Thanksgiving but had it on his heart to propose to me prior to leaving so I would know where I stood with him.
On Wednesday, October 29th, I knew Derek was going to propose soon when he called Courtney and she took her phone outside. I heard her say, “Do I have to do it today?” and I knew something was up. Later that evening Derek made a point to schedule a date ahead of time for he and I to go out. I found it very unusual that Derek had asked to pull out the calendar since I’m more of the planner and he prefers to fly by the “seams” of his pants. He asked if we could do something special together on Saturday, November 15th before he would be leaving to take the job and I knew that I would be getting engaged then. I even announced to my co-workers the week prior that I was getting engaged on Saturday.
The Proposal
I had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Saturday, November 15th since I had a pretty good feeling it was the day Derek would propose. He had told me the evening prior that he would like to pick me up at 7 the next day for a morning hike. Once he picked me up, we drove to Sandia Creek, a local hiking trail. We began hiking along one of the trails and went back quite far. At one point during the hike, I noticed a high hill and asked Derek if we could climb up to it. He said we could and he knew a way to get there. Derek led me down to the creek that runs parallel to the trail and told me we would have to take off our shoes and wade across the creek to get to the trail. I was very hesitant at first because, as y’all know, I’m not one who prefers the cold or getting dirty, two elements which were required for crossing the creek.
I was pretty stubborn about not wading through the water and I asked Derek if we could cross in a different area. He pointed across the way to a blanket set up with coffees, pastries, and red roses, and said, “Hey, what’s that over there?” As soon as I saw the setup, I knew it was all real. I quit arguing and happily took off my socks and shoes and waded across the water. Once we crossed the creek, Derek told me how much he had enjoyed our relationship and getting to know me, serving alongside me, and seeing my heart for Christ. He got down on one knee and pulled out the most beautiful ring and said, “Will you marry me?” To which I replied without hesitation, in a high pitched squeal, “YES!” Derek placed the ring on my finger and we shared our first kiss. Once I said, “Yes”, I heard clapping coming from the bushes and realized that Courtney and one of the girls from the youth group had witnessed the proposal. I kinda freaked out when I noticed a woman following us and taking pictures of us but it just turned out to be our friend Austin, who Derek had asked to come photograph the proposal.
From there, Derek and I went to eat lunch at Miguel’s with my family. After lunch, we made a quick stop at a local thrift store to view some items that my mom suggested might be used for centerpieces (I later learned that she did this to distract me as she and my family drove to our engagement party). While we were at the thrift store, Derek pretended to receive a phone call from Steve, a mutual friend of ours. He told me that Steve and his wife Amie had wanted us to stop by so they could see the ring. We left the store and drove over to Amie and Steve’s house and when we arrived, I noticed that there were many cars parked on the street and thought maybe one of the neighbors was having a party. I was really confused when we knocked on Amie and Steve’s door and my mom answered. When she pulled the door all the way open, a group of our friends yelled out, “Surprise!” I then realized that the party was at Amie and Steve’s and it was an engagement party for us.
I kinda freaked out (again) because I don’t like surprises – everyone was staring at me and I didn’t know if I was supposed to give a speech so I just stood there awkwardly staring back until my friend Nikki pulled me aside and asked to see the ring. I felt bad because once Derek had proposed and I said yes, I thanked him for not planning a surprise party since I wasn’t really into that kind of thing – what a great lesson in humility!
Derek and I spent the rest of the afternoon with our friends and family and ended the evening eating pizza and watching Elf at my parent’s house. I fell asleep not even halfway through the movie (yes, I’m an old lady) but I am so thankful for the thought Derek put into our proposal and to Courtney for making it all possible. We joke that if it wasn’t for Courtney, we might not be married!
