Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The Engagement from the Man’s Perspective

I am a little late posting this but I am still learning so I will not be as fancy as Ellen is with the posting of pictures and other neat things she does.

After 3 plus weeks of planning a proposal to Ellen, the day was finally here. The morning of the engagement day we leave the hotel to go get some breakfast and the walk there was nice. The streets were empty and freshly cleaned. We get to Croissant D’Or Patisserie and the aroma of the food is delectable. It was a nice quaint place and I knew I was going to need coffee bad! I barely got sleep the night before with anxiety about the day. Of course I trusted everything would go well and according to His plan so I was not worried. I was just anticipating how everything would unfold. I could only plan so much and trust God would deliver on the order of things.

The seat we chose by the window was pleasant and the food was great! The day was already starting so well. God was certainly delivering this day. We finished breakfast and were about to tour the streets. We started toward the French Market and got to witness most of the vendors racing to get their product setup. Many of the merchants were not ready which lead us to a great photographer of areas throughout the Quarter. Ellen loves to take pictures so we enjoyed looking through all of his photos and we bought some to remind us of this day. The photographer and his father were kind and I really do appreciate their positivity towards us especially on a day such as this.

After our fill of the French Quarter, we hiked down Decatur going to some of the shops and then made our way down the Riverwalk. The sun was warm and the breeze was cool.  Everything was perfect so far. The walk by the river led us to the aquarium. This would be the first time I have ever been to an aquarium so it was an exciting experience for me. We got some good memories, good pics, and it occupied just enough time for us to work up an appetite.

We walked down Royal St. towards Yo Mama’s and the street was good and bustling unlike the morning time. The music was great and the mood was even better.  We arrived at our lunch planned location and the food was delicious. I was enjoying my time with Ellen and the time to propose to her was drawing near. 
After eating I wanted us to go back to where a band we like had been so that we could just enjoy listening to them while we relaxed and let the food settle. We went by to get Hand Grenades first and headed toward their location. When we got there they were playing their last song and were packing up to move somewhere else.  This worked out nicely because Ellen got a chance to finally meet an artist she always wanted to meet. Ellen was very happy and I was just so relieved that the day was doing so great.  This was the reassurance I needed to know that now was the time I was going to propose.

We walked to the Jackson Square and we sat under tree to ourselves. I dug the ring out of a box I had made to keep it safe that was in my pocket. Oh man! Here I go!!! I am about to do this! The very thing that has consumed my thoughts for over 3 weeks now. All the planning was now about to come to fruition. I had only one opportunity to do this and I was a little bit nervous but the anxiety built up of wanting Ellen to become my fiancé and letting everyone know exactly what my intentions were much greater. I wanted to propose to Ellen really badly and after having the ring for over 3 weeks now and how easy it could have been to hand it to her the day I got it. The moment of truth was here.  I wanted this moment to be special to Ellen. I knew it was special for me.

When I say that I wanted it to be special for Ellen I mean I was aching for it to be. Ellen means so much to me. There is no other person that comes close to the way I feel about her. She is the most deserving person I know that deserves to have her engagement as meaningful and special as I could possibly come up with.  I have never planned something on this scale. I never thought I was worth the trouble to ask a group of people to drive hours just to have dinner but I knew she was worth it. Even though Ellen deserved way better than me she chose me and I was going to treat her with all the love I can give and go beyond any expectations I ever had for myself.  Why??? Because Ellen makes me feel special and I want her to feel the same.
So here I was sitting under a tree with Ellen. I say a small prayer and then I give my proposal and begin to say “if you marry me...”  When I was interrupted with “you mean when.” I knew that was the go-ahead I needed. Why go any further with that proposal. Nothing left now to do but ask Ellen officially to marry me. I needed to be humble about it so I knelt to ask. Ellen said yes and she looked very happy. I was pleased. I could not have asked for a better reaction. Many kisses from Ellen and her telling everyone we talked to that we just got engaged made me feel like a child that was praised.

Exhausted from the anticipation leading up to that moment and the overwhelming feelings of joy I had to lie down to take it all in. I still had one more surprise for Ellen but I felt no more anxiety about it. To me my task was done, Ha. But still… I knew she would be very surprised and thrilled to see her family and friends when we walk in our final destination on the agenda.

So we arrived at the Acme Oyster House and Ellen was surprised! The look on her face was priceless. I was very thankful everyone came. Even more thankful she has so many people that care about her.
Ellen is more than I have ever wanted from anyone. She has made me very happy. I am very lucky and privileged to have her in my life. I look forward to the happiness that she will bring me in the future I only hope that I can make her feel as happy and special as she makes me feel and I pray that I will love her as close as possible the way Jesus loves us.

Jason

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