Today was a Fairytale

5/?/11- We locked eyes
10/1/11- He asked me to be his lady
2/?/12- We fell in love
12/26/26- I SAID YES!!

I'm engaged. That should have an exclamation point on the end.

I'M ENGAGED!!!!!!!!

That's better!! :) 

Look at us. Such kids. This was the day we saw each other for the first time since we were little kids. I can still remember feeling my heart jump when I first saw him and thinking how it was weird that I felt that way about seeing someone for the first time. 

But anyways, a lot of people asked me about how Matthew proposed and I got really tired of telling the story over and over and over. So here it goes for all those who have yet to hear it.

Once in a lifetime, you meet someone who changes everything. Matthew is my someone. And he is my everything.
For Christmas this year, I told Matt that all I wanted for Christmas was a surprise date day. What with family and work, we hardly get a day to spend just the two of us together. On December 26th, I got my wish. :) 
I was told to arrive at Matt's house at 8:30am that morning, a big feat for me since I am a huge fan of sleeping in. Nevertheless, I made it with 5 minutes to spare to find out that Matt had made me a delicious pancake breakfast. After stuffing myself full of pancake and opening presents with his family, we were on our way by 9:30. I still had no idea what we were doing for the day. 
About an hour and a half later, we arrived at our destination. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, to be exact. I have never seen a more beautiful garden. We fed a family of crazy koi fish, stuck our heads in a meditation rock, toured Marie Selby's refurbished home, and enjoyed a tea tasting in the tea shop. 

Matthew also defaced public property. All in the name of love though ;) 

I was sad to leave when we were finally done. I loved the calm tranquility of the garden and I loved the beautiful morning I spent with my love. But Matt reassured me that there was plenty more surprises to come. 
So I relented, and we headed off again. 
As we continued our drive I noticed we passed a sign that pointed cars towards Siesta Key Beach, which is my favorite vacation destination. I confessed to Matt that I wished we were going there that day. He just smiled.
"Maybe someday we can." he said with a smirk. 
We traveled down some quaint back roads, winding left and right. By this time I was completely lost. Until finally, the trees broke and I discovered that we were in the heart of downtown Siesta Key! What a little booger. He had planned to take me to Siesta Key all along. 
We pulled up to a pizza place that boasted being the best pizza in Siesta Key. After lunch we hit the streets for some shopping and coffee in a unique coffee shop with a hawaiian-surfing theme. 
 We got coffee, ice cream, went to a wine tasting, shopped some more( I am so blessed to have a man who is willing to shop with me). Soon, I was ready to go but Matthew insisted that we had to stay until 5:30. Weird. 
5:30 rolls around, and the temperature starts to drop right as we hoof it out to the beach. The sun was beginning to set and everyone was making their way out to the beach to watch it.

"Man, why are there so many people around?" Matt complained.

I thought this was weird since Matt is the most laid-back person I know who doesn't usually care about the people surrounding him. 
He made us hike a ways past all the "people" meanwhile, the whole time I am complaining that we are missing the sunset. We finally climbed up on a closed lifeguard stand and watched the remainder of the sunset. 
Right as the sun was hitting the water, Matthew whispered in my ear,
"Do you want your last Christmas present now?" 

"Yes!" I exclaimed, having no idea he had gotten me anything else. 

"Okay, but you have to close your eyes." he said.

"Why, isn't it already wrapped?" I asked stupidly. "Why do I need to close my eyes if it's wrapped?"

"Oh my gosh, Christen! Just close your eyes, okay?" Matthew said, exasperated.

"Okay okay! Sheesh!" I relented. I squeezed my eyes shut and for effect, covered them with my hands. And I waited.

From behind me I heard, "Um...ok...you can open your eyes now."

"What? Why are you standing beh-"

There he was on his knee, looking up at me with such a look of love, with a little black box. 

"Christen, I need to ask you something. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you be my wife?"

He may or may not have said those exact words. I don't remember much besides bursting into tears. I cried so much that Matthew felt bad and stood up to hug me. I clung to him, soaking his shoulder with tears. Finally, I pulled back and held out my left hand.

"Put it on me!" I insisted.

"Well I would...but there's a small problem." Matthew said slowly.

"What? Does it not fit?"

"Um...no. You haven't given me an answer yet." He replied. 

"Oh! Yes! Yes of course I'll marry you!" I said, giggling and crying at the same time. His face light up and he took the ring and put it on my finger. A perfect fit.

Isn't it gorgeous? He did and AMAZING job picking it out. I would have never picked this style out for myself, but I love it. 

The whole way home from the beach was a blur of tears, laughter, calling EVERYONE I knew, and staring at my ring. I insisted on driving with the lights on so that I could stare at it. 

I am so beyond blessed. The outpouring of love we received from everyone was amazing and I am so excited to start this new chapter of our lives together.

Finally! 

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." -Emily Bronte