Proposal story

I absolutely love this time of year. Who doesn't?  Probably the "latest" reason why I love it is because two years ago around this time, is when Alek proposed to me. I figured since I was reminiscing about it, I might as well share the story. 

Looking back, I first looked at rings online, well probably Pinterest. But that was just for fun. I wasn't "seriously" looking. Al and I both knew we were planning on getting married. We talked about it. ALL. THE. TIME. We even had the date picked and temple sealing scheduled before we were even engaged. I thought for sure it would jinx us.

Then Al mentioned that I should start looking at rings and get an idea. At first it was sooo weird! and I can't even explain why. Hmmm maybe because I didn't really picture myself shopping for rings. Ever. Weird huh? I swear most girls say they remember planning their wedding as soon as they knew what a wedding was. Not me. I didn't think about it until it was happening.

Finally I got use to the idea of looking at rings and starting obsessing over it. During my collage classes I would browse through ring websites the entire class period. We picked a day and decided to actually go and try some on. We went to Jerricks here in Logan. Al and I both knew that's where we wanted to go.We had heard only the best things about them and wanted to check them out. And of course we were very impressed! 

I swear I tried every ring on...at first I was stressing because I was waiting for the one that felt right. and none of them did. They were all beautiful! I was just waiting for the perfect one. It was funny because the style that I thought I liked online, I absolutely hated the way it looked on my finger. Finally, I found the one. And still to this day, I'm in love with it! 

I did make one adjustment to the ring and Jerrick said it would take probably 6 weeks to get it ordered, fixed and sized. I swear they just say that to help with the surprise because it was NOT 6 weeks. I remember thinking dang, well that's not til January! BUT, I had been tricked.

Al picked up the ring 2 weeks later and started making plans for the proposal.

A week later, December 23rd, it was a Friday, Al came over to my house early. We had plans to finish up some Christmas shopping together before I had to go to work at 3. When I first saw him, I remember thinking he looked so good! He was wearing a nice button up shirt. I'm pretty sure I even asked him, "Man, why are you all dressed up today?" 

Not gonna lie, I was pretty grumpy the whole day. Pms? maybe... and probably the fact I had to work a closing shift. That always made me angry. Al tried making me happier by being goofy and helping me put my boots on. I think he was trying to make me laugh by sitting there trying to jerk my boot on while I hobbled around on one leg. I ended up falling backwards and hitting my head on my closet door. Instant goose egg. Ouch! And it did the opposite of making me happier. Poor Alek felt really bad and I, of course, just got more grumpy. 

I did not want to go into town. We had been Christmas Shopping every single day that week and I was so sick of it. All the traffic and all the pushy people, you know how it is right? It was only two days before Christmas and I was just NOT  in the mood. But I went anyway and I told Al, "only on one condition. As long as we don't go to the mall." Haha I was so sick of the mall! We went to Walmart first and got a few last minute gifts. I was doing good until I noticed Alek obsessively texting someone over and over. He's not a big texter and when I asked who he was texting, he wouldn't tell me. This BUGGED me. Especially when we would be walking next to each other and the next thing I knew He wasn't there and I found him in the next aisle bent over his phone sending what seemed like an important text. I kept bugging him about it and he wouldn't tell me anything! Grrr! At one point the thought crossed my mind, maybe he is planning the proposal with someone... but why would he have to be doing that now? and why right it front of me?! Plus, he wasn't going to have the ring for another 3 weeks. Grrr. I got frustrated. Seriously, Pms is no fun. Ha Turns out he was texting his mom the whole time making sure everything was set up and ready to go.

Then his brother called (he was also in on it) and said he wanted Al to meet him at the mall to help him pick out a present for their dad. "NO." was my reply. "I already told you I'm not going to the mall. I'll stay out in the car" hahaha  I was seriously being a baby! 

Finally, after Al did a really good job of convincing me to go, I caved. But, then I remembered that I needed food because I didn't bring anything for my break at work and I wouldn't be able to eat anything til I got off at 10 that night. So, I made Al stop and buy me Arby's. We sat in the Mall parking lot and waited until I finished eating.  Al later said, he was going crazy and couldn't believe how insane I was acting. (guilty face) Everyone was in the mall, patiently waiting on me to finish stuffing my face. Embarrassing.

When my tummy was satisfied, I very sulkily walked into the mall with Al. And of course, Al is REALLY excited and walking really fast. But, I decided I need to go to the bathroom. Al said, "Are you serious?!" Yes. yes I was. He said he texted his mom-"Well, we FINALLY made it inside... but now she's in the bathroom." Everyone was dying of anxiety because I was seriously dragging my feet. What was the big hurry anyway?

When I was finished, we started walking toward Dillards, where we had planned on meeting Rhy. But, before we even got there we see Rhy walking out holding a big bag. "Hey guys, check out what I got for dad!" I was like, "WHAT?!  I thought that is why we were here.. to help you PICK something out?!" Rhy got all embarrassed and said, "Well, I got to go. See you guys later." 

I turned to Al, "Why are we even here?!"

"Sorry Linds, let's just keep walking. We have time to kill before you have to work anyways."

ugh.... I gave in. He had a point. I still had 45 minutes until I need to be at work. Next thing I knew we were walking passed the place where Santa was.

"Linds, let's sit on Santa's lap!"

"Are you kidding? Why?"

"It would be fun!"

"Fun? Maybe if we were 5."

He kept nudging me towards Santa and I kept resisting. Terena told me after, that from watching from her hiding spot, she was dying. She was thinking I was going to screw the whole thing up.Which I almost did!

I caught the Elf-helper lady's eye and she gave me a weird look... (because Terena from behind the curtain whispers, "That's them! They finally made it! Get ready!"

Finally I agree to sit on Santa's lap. I didn't want to make a big scene and Al obviously was really adamant about sitting on Santa's lap. I told Al, "Fine, but I don't want our picture taken and I better get a candy cane." I watched all the little kids leaving with a candy cane. I'm ridiculous, right?

We get in line and when it's our turn, I tell the Elf lady that we don't want our picture taken. Again she gives me a weird look and doesn't say anything. hmmm... what is her problem?

Al sits on one of Santa's knee and I sit on the other. I felt like I was killing him. Poor old Santa! He asked us want we want for Christmas of course, Al said he wanted a boat and I said a new pair of running shoes. Then Santa says, "Well I have something special for you." Yay, here comes my candy cane!  He reaches his hand into the basket of candy canes. I noticed he was shaking really bad. We joke that he was more nervous than Al. :) His shaky hands started digging around the basket. I'm good with just the candy cane on top. C'mon just grab one, anyone will do! I really don't need one from the bottom. Of course I get impatient and decide to focus my attention else where. I look at the elf lady and wait a second.... Why is she taking our picture?! I told her not too!  I look at Al, just in time to see Santa hand him the little brown box. Al took the box and got down on one knee. Are you kiddin me!!  I'm completely blown away. SOOO SURPRISED. It all happened so quickly! Al asked and I said yes and he put the ring on my finger. I couldn't believe it!

Aww looks at Santa's face:) This picture is perfect. Thank you Elf lady.

(It's a picture of a picture, so not the best quality)

Slowly everyone comes out of their hiding places. Al's whole family was there! There were lots of tears and hug. I was still in shock. Al, then broke the news that I didn't have to work. What? seriously? That was the cherry that topped it all off:)

Everyone wanted to celebrate of course and go out to eat. Oh wait, was I hungry? Nope. I was so mad at myself!! So we all decided to go share the news with my family and then meet up later for dinner. I called my mom and she was so excited she ended up driving to the mall to see us. She probably was as excited as me!

A couple hours later, both families met at Olive Garden and we celebrated our engagement. It was so much fun to be there with everyone! I seriously could not stop smiling at my fiance'. Ha FIANCE'!!

After dinner Alek and I decided to go for a drive up to our favorite spot that over looks the whole valley. It was the first time we had been alone all day. The first time we could actually talk about the days events. We laughed at all the things that could have gone wrong. I thanked him for talking to my boss and letting me get off work. I was so happy I could be spending time with him instead of working. I couldn't stop smiling and giving him hugs. I was soo happy! He was very glad things had worked out and said that he was really worried for awhile that I wasn't going to cooperate:) I apologized for my behavior. I felt bad, but we both just laughed it off. It really was the perfect day and a perfect proposal. It was now official. I could now start planning the wedding without being worried of jinxing it. ;)