When Two Become One: Our Engagement Story
Two teenagers (17 to be exact) had been going out on dates and flirting at school for a few months. Nothing was official but the girl was really into the khaki-wearing, sweater-vest sporting guy.
One wintry night, while out on another date, he finally asked her “would you be my girlfriend?”
Smitten, she said yes .. of course!
Their little high school romance made that senior year all the more special. Colleges were coming up soon but those moments were too good to waste on future “what ifs”.
They made it through that first year in college and one thing was consistent.
That girl was head over heels into this dude.
He was calm to her crazy (whoops).
He was creative to her list making/analytical approach to everything.
He was funny and oh so charming.
Well those teenagers celebrated another anniversary this year. 20 years.
20 years of laughing and exploring and talking and living and creating together. Who would have ever known that the math nerd would spend over half her life with the khaki wearing golfer.
—————————————-
I penned those words to Raymond on 12/11/2020. We had no big plans on that anniversary day and I was off to the office for the majority of it.
Raymond and Cody met me afterwards for an evening stroll through the Dallas town square.
We snapped photos yet I thought to myself, “I’m ready to go home.” It had been a long week and I was eagerly awaiting my transition into sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
Anniversaries look different in your late 30s. ;)
We were about to leave but something caught my eye. The church up the street was glowing; figuring it was from their nativity, I recommended we walk up to see it.
We spent time admiring the old homes in Dallas with all their charm from the 1800s, then we strolled around the nativity thinking about the true meaning of this season.
Raymond asked me if I got him anything for our anniversary. I joked it off and he informed me that he had gotten me something.
As I turned around I saw a diamond ring in his hand; the rest seemed to happen in slow motion.
He told me the ring was his grandmother’s engagement ring; Joy passed away many years ago but her spirit is something that we both strive to keep alive, she was a unique grandmother and one we both loved very much.
Raymond bent a knee and got down to ask me another question on a cold wintry night, “will you marry me?”
Elated, I said yes (!!) .. of course! I believe in some way that my brain was slow to process all that was happening. It is the most surreal experience and something you can’t fully understand until you experience it (so I believe).
Somehow we spent a total of three hours that night in that small town. Time sort of stands still when you are floating.
“And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together.” Matthew 19: 5-6
“When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” Isaiah 60:22
The time was right and the Lord answered our prayers.
We’ve been basking in the glory of what it means to transition into this union; the planning of the day will start enough, but in the meantime, we are floating.
These are products LOVE. Some of these products are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I get a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, check out my disclaimer. Thank you for your support!