Engaged – July 7, 2008

September 29, 2008 at 2:59 am (Uncategorized)

Monday, July 7th, 2008, I awoke with a great plan for my final vacation day with Dave and my family. I had wanted some alone time with Dave, yet family time for our vacation. A plan was configured in my mind and I was excited for the day. After arguing with Dave over a few details regarding our day plans, I sat down on my bed and, in frustration spoke with Sarah about my plans. “Sarah I just don’t see why Dave would want to hike in the afternoon when there is a chance of rain and when he knows I want to be shopping with you girls! Why can’t we hike this morning after book shopping, take showers, go shopping, come back for a swim and eat supper! How hard is that?” Sarah stopped straightening her hair, turned toward me and replied, “Bethany, it is Dave’s birthday. If you don’t go hiking with me, no matter what time, I will go with Dave and that would just be extremely awkward.”

After much frustration and changing of plans throughout the morning, I with my edgy attitude decided to submit to Dave and allowed him to plan our afternoon and evening. Besides, it was his birthday and our last day together for some time. I really didn’t want it to end with me being a crab and Dave in turn being depressed.

At approximately 1pm, Dave took me for our hike up Mount Kearsarge. Dave and I love to hike and this was a great way we could spend our last day together and celebrate his 22nd birthday. At the top we had a 360 degree view of Hopkinton / Warner, NH area. It was a cool, breezy, beautiful day. On our way down, we found this boulder with a great view! We sat and talked for sometime before Dave asked me if I would like to finally know his idea of a birthday gift that I could share with him. Dave asked me to stand. He pulled a white box from his pocket, knelt down on one knee and asked, “Bethany Joy, will you marry me?”

Immediately, my hands went directly over my face and tears began to fall as I stood in astonishment! 

“Are you serious? Is this for real?” I asked him. 
“Yes, it is. ” He answered. After a quick moment of silence he asked in hesitation, “Are you going to give me an answer?”

“Yes, yes I will.” I replied. 
And that was that!

It was a total surprise to me as I was not expecting this for some time! But I was super excited and ready for this journey with Dave.

Dave and I went back to Contoocook, NH to relay the exciting news to my family. Since they were still shopping Dave and I decided to take that swim we thought were not going to bed able to take. We threw in all the floaties and toys we had and on the count of three made two great cannon-ball splashes. Then we configured a few floating devices and raced around the pool. Not long after me family returned. They were about to go for a dip in the swimming pool but I stopped my sisters and told them I had a surprise for them. I then revealed my hand to them and they took a few minutes to confirm that the ring was not from a cereal box or from a 25 cent gumball machine. I was telling them the truth and my excitement was contagious!
Dave and I got all dressed up and went to dine at a fancy restaurant. Okay, we actually just wore shorts and a t-shirt and went to Applebee’s. But it was really good food and we had a blast together! On the way back to celebrate Dave’s birthday and our engagement God presented us with a beautiful New Hampshire sunset!
When we got back to the house, both families were waiting to celebrate Dave’s birthday. Mrs. Stillwell had made Dave’s favorite mint-chocolate cake. In addition to the birthday celecration Mrs. Stillwell revealed a “Congratulations Dave & Bethany” cake and we celebrated our engagement as well!
It was a day that will never be forgotten and always treasured!

Post a Comment