The Beginning of Us

It rains here, a lot. Sunny days in Eugene are few and far between. However, recently Oregon has seen some pretty amazing days. Today was one of those days. Mustache-Man and I always take advantage of days like today. It was in the mid-70s and not a cloud in the sky. We went for a bike ride on the incredible bike path (we are spoiled by the bike paths here) and then laid in the grass with Pandora tuned into the Josh Garrels station (if you don't know him, definitely check out his music). Today was perfect, one like you would read about in a Donald Miller book.

It was about this time last year that Mustache-Man took me on a picnic. It was probably one of the first days of sunshine that we had seen since February and we just had to get outside. After all, it could be a month before we see the sun again. 

Mustache Man had planned a nice picnic. Just before our departure I got an invitation to play Ultimate Frisbee. I was ecstatic about the picnic but man, I really wanted to play Ultimate. I just knew Mustache Man would be in. Not quite. You see, he had some big plans for this day. Sunshine is rare. We have all learned that if you have something big you want to accomplish while the sun is out, you better act fast. 

I can't lie, I was bummed. But more than disappointed, I was concerned that something was wrong with Mustache Man. Why would he choose a picnic over ultimate? The thought then rolled through my mind, "Is Alec thinking of proposing?" At this point in the story most people would get goose-bumps on their butterflies. However, I quickly dismissed the thought and choose to distract myself by coordinating my upcoming week's run routine. 

We finally arrived at our destination, Mustache Man set everything up. Bikers rode by and waved while we soaked up as much vitamin D was we possibly could. The afternoon was wonderful and uneventful. Perfect. I reminded Mustache Man that we had to soon go to church and we needed to begin to pack up. But as I began to load my belongings in the car, Mustache Man requested that I join him back on the blanket, "to spend some time reading 1 Cor. 13 with him." And we all know what that's about. L-O-V-E. 

I'd love to say that this was the most beautiful moment I have ever encountered and that be the end. Instead, I wanted to vomit. Anxiety and fear set in immediately. I tried to stop him while he was reading. He continued. I made statements such as "Alec, I hate this chapter, i'm bad at love, i'm an awful girlfriend!" All in a desperate attempt to stop him before he said something he couldn't take back. Thoughts were racing in my mind and he read on. I tried everything, at one point I even tried to close the Bible while he was reading. But he knew me well enough to know that this is how I would react. That's why I love him.

Again, I'd love to say this situation got better from here. Unfortunately, I continued to be dominated by fear. I was weighing the options in my head as quickly as I could, "if I say no then he will probably not want to see me again, but am I really ready to say yes?" And then, before I could come up with any other manipulative tactics to stop this,  it came..."Holleigh, will you marry me?" 

I couldn't decide. This was a life changing decision that was just sprung on me? I never thought of the intensity of this question. I always assumed that your asked, it's wonderful, you kiss and onto the festivities. No, this is crazy?! Do we, as a culture, really just surprise someone with a question that could change their whole identity, forever? And then expect an immediate answer? I intentionally shifted to a playful tone. "Well of course I want to marry you," but then tacked on those two, little, dreadful words that no proposer wants to hear, "one day."

His head dropped and I immediately began to cry. We cried, yelled, and a few choice words were spoken. We then drove 30 minutes to church in silence. Mustache Man walked straight to the bathroom, where he was greeted by Q  (pastor/leader/friend that also moved from Alabama). Later I was informed that Q attempted to make small talk with Mustache Man and at one point, jokingly asked him if he had proposed. Of course he lied. 

Throughout the entire service I processed the thought of marrying Mustache Man. I have never met a person that fits me better than this guy, it's like he balances me out. Not that we have it all together, but that's just it, we don't have it all together and it works out beautifully. I don't think I ever stopped being scared about getting married. But, I do know that just like every other life changing event, I had to step out in faith and understand that God's plan is ever-changing, not easy, and not always clear. But it's always good.

I'll take that. I didn't know what it would be like to be wife and that was scary. But it's okay. So after about 4 hours I looked at my sweet groom and said "I want to be your wife, if the offer is still open." The rest is history.

Freckles