Thoroughly Engaged

On this day, exactly four years ago, there was a young man and a young woman driving alone up a winding canyon road. I know, this sounds like the beginning to some scary urban legend where they crash their car and spend the rest of their ever long afterlives prowling the woods, searching for each other's souls, but don't worrry, it's not.

Turns out on this particular day the sun was shining, the sky was cheery blue, and the couple drove with the windows rolled down, music bumped up. The car in question was a shiney red Pontiac GTO '66--one the young man was quite proud of, and would proudly admit it. The engine rumbled loud and low, a subwoofer to their shouting lyrics. Wind whipped through the interior and both of their faces were smiling. It was glorious.

For the young woman, the trip was a nice surprise. However, to the young man, it was the result of plans--big, life changing plans. They drove that car until they came to the desired destination, parked, and they both got out. The sun was still shining bright while they walked Main Street window shopping, watching crowds, and holding hands. Conversation came easily between them; the hand-holding, even easier. They spent a couple of hours just wandering the street laughing, talking, and strolling until it was near time to go back. They had a family barbeque to get to that evening.

So they returend to the car and went back on the road. Nearly to the end of the canyon the young man pulled the car into a small parking lot and asked the young woman if she would like to take a quick hike. They were parked at the base of some beautiful waterfall and the hike was one she had done many times before. Usually it was fairly easy. There were several people on the trail--kids, parents, and grandparents. But the young woman glanced down at her feet. She had not worn good hiking footwear, having donned her flip flops that morning. But she decided it would be a fun challenge.

So they hiked to the first shelf of the falls--her in flip flops, him holding tightly to her hand. Phew, they made it all they way up in one piece and it didn't take as long as the young woman had anticipated. She hand only stubbed her toe once. On the ridge the mist sprayed upwards and you could see quite a ways down the canyon. There was a small boy and his father standing in a pool and they asked to have their picture taken. They held their smiles while the young man took a few shots, and then they left, back down the mountain. The couple were quite alone now.

They stood in silence, listening to the falls thunder down the mountain's face. The air was just warm enough that the mist felt cool instead of frigid. When the young woman turned around she found her young man on one knee, a ring box stretching out towards her. He asked the question that had been on their minds for some time and the young woman thought she might teeter off the mountain side--still caught by surprise, despite their thinking.

During a moment that blurred past the young woman and felt like eternity to the young man, they both did alot more thinking. Is this the right thing? Are they going to be the only one for me, forever? Is this really happening? Should I have eaten lunch? ;) Is she EVER going to say yes?

Of course, the answer came clear and resounding after a long moment of stomach butterflies. It wasn't a maybe, probably, possibly, or any other waffely, wobbly response. It was solid, undeniable, a good place to begin the rest of thier lives. It was YES!

Yes, it's true. On this very day four years ago Spencer asked London to be his wife. He presented her with the diamond his grandmother wore, in a setting chosen just to fit London. It was a momentous occasion and every day since stands as a testament to the commitment they made to eachother. The rest is history--or perhaps more suitably, the rest is their future.

Thank you Spencer, for asking me to marry you on that almost summer day four years ago. I can't imagine my life without you and look forward to our future lifetime together.