Sarah and I both agree that our relationship came out of nowhere. Neither one of us expected to marry the other. I've known Sarah for three and a half years. We were in most classes together through college because we both studied graphic design. In that time, in spite of a small common group of friends, we never really thought much about each other. Outside of classes we belonged to very different groups. It wasn't until the end of spring semester last year that Sarah and I ever really talked. That was when the magic really started to happen...

There was a group of us - a few graphic designers and other friends - who had lunch together every Thursday. Somehow I joined this group and I began talking to Sarah more often. School dismissed shortly after this and I started my summer internship (which meant that I was staying in Greenville with few friends and no social life). I knew that Sarah usually had summer parties at her house and that many of my Greenville friends were usually invited. It was no surprise to receive my own invitation and I gladly accepted. The parties all summer consisted of kickball and music on the back porch. The first month of summer was something I never could have dreamed. It only took a few weeks for Sarah and I to figure out that we enjoyed being with each other. Between parties, movies, and chatting, Sarah and I were spending close to every waking moment in constant contact - and neither one of us was complaining.

June rolled around and we were beginning to figure things out. Oh, the conversations we had. Both of us completely aware that something was happening, neither one of us saying a word about it, and our friends rolling their eyes as we flirted up a storm. It was the last day in June when I asked Sarah to have lunch with me downtown. I think she knew what was coming when I suggested a picnic of her favorite Thai food. The conversation started slow and awkward. She wasn't going to let me off easy by offering information - I had to ask the questions - but once we got started it was one of the most casual conversations I've ever had. It just seemed right to take this next step.

I had been hesitant about dating anyone prior to that conversation. Too much uncertainty was clogging my brain. Sarah's thoughts were the Drano that I needed. She informed me that her dad would want to discuss things with me before anything happened. I went home to Tennessee the following week for July 4 celebrations - Sarah waited until then to talk to her parents about our conversation. The next six weeks consisted of several talks between Sarah's dad and I. He needed to make sure I was worthy - I still can't figure out how I convinced him. By the end of August I was "officially" pursuing Sarah. Throughout this whole process I looked forward to those kickball parties. I've never had that much fun. September came and with it came the confirmation in my mind - "I love Sarah and I want to marry her." Those are scary thoughts when I'd been telling myself just three months prior that I wasn't ready to date. It took a month of sorting through those things before I approached her dad. Now more than ever I'm brimming with confidence. In the words of my dear brother, "I can't not marry this girl."




The engagement story starts in October. That is when the planning begins. Sarah and I had been dating for just over two months at this point - needless to say I was a bit nervous when I approached her father. I was sure that Sarah was the one. I was sure of the timing. I wasn't sure that he felt the same yet. We talked. Not a whole lot that day - there was time for that over the next two weeks. Our conversations over that period of time became more and more encouraging. There was one day in particular that Sarah had to cheer at school and I went with her parents to one of our church fellowships - a birthday party. We used that time away from Sarah to plan how it would all happen (should they grant permission - I still hadn't heard a yes). I wanted to take a trip to Tennessee to see my family after the proposal. We planned the trip that night. It was a Sunday afternoon that I finally got the "yes" from her parents. I ordered the ring that day - sitting in Sarah's living room - she never knew a thing.

The next two weeks consisted of the three of us trying to pretend that absolutely nothing was going on. Sarah was aware of the trip to Tennessee. We passed it off as a friendly thanksgiving visit (Sarah's dad had never met my dad at this point). I made arrangements for our friends Todd and Megan Conner to ask us to dinner on the night of the proposal. They were in on the surprise. They suggested that I propose at a very pretty location not far from the restaurant. Sarah loves to take pictures and the Conners needed something for their Christmas card, so we used this excuse to get Sarah to the proposal location before dinner. The circumstances were finally arranged. A lot happened in that two weeks to help keep my mind occupied. I moved across town, school was busy, Sarah was still cheering, and we had a few days on the NYC art trip. November 25 finally came and Sarah was oblivious to the fact that I carried a ring in my pocket. Just the way I wanted it to be.

It was a Tuesday - the day classes dismissed for Thanksgiving. I was nervous all day, but not enough to tip Sarah off that something was up. The only snag in my plan came when we finished our last class of the day early. Sarah wanted to go straight downtown to meet Megan and Todd - she even sent a text message to Megan suggesting we meet earlier. That would have been fine if I hadn't planned a surprise engagement party at Sarah's house for 7 o'clock that evening. Moving things forward an hour posed quite a few problems. A quick run to the bathroom and a secret text message to Megan set things back on schedule. It was finally 5 o'clock and we were headed downtown.

We arrived at the Wyche Pavilion a little after 5 o'clock. The proposal was going to happen right away. I couldn't have put Megan through much more excitement without Sarah suspecting something. As we walked into the pavilion, Megan and Todd were already there. Sarah leaned over to me and said, "What about this place for a wedding location?" I passed it off as nothing on the outside - my stomach was doing flips on the inside. As we approached the Conners, Megan reached for a hug from Sarah (planned, of course) and Sarah asked Megan the same question, "What about this place for a wedding?" I couldn't have planned that. Not ever. Megan's response was perfect - "Maybe you should turn around."

There I was - on one knee, grinning like an idiot (because at that point I couldn't help it). A month of planning and secret keeping had payed off - she was completely surprised and completely happy. We went to dinner afterwards at Sarah's favorite downtown restaurant - though neither one of us remembers the food. The news of the party was a harder secret to keep and by the time we arrived at her house she had figured it out. Her friends and family were there to congratulate her.




The days and weeks since November 25 have flown by. Sarah and I can hardly wait for the wedding and we are excited to see how the plans are all coming together. Everything we thought we knew about engagement has been turned upside down. We're grateful for the counsel we've recieved from our pastor and parents. God has blessed us with good friends and family - we couldn't do this without you.