He Asked and I Said Yes!

It was Friday, October 3, 2014

I had flown out to Sacramento, CA just the night before to visit my sweet boyfriend over conference weekend. He had been selling pest control door-to-door 12 hours a day for nearly 6 months. Some time to just enjoy his life and relax was well over due. So we planned a wonderful 5 day trip filled with sight seeing, cuddling and good food.

Little did I know as I packed my bag Wednesday evening that Friday, just one day, would change the course of my life forever. 

We had just finished a round of laser-tag with his roommate Eric, and I was upset to say the least. The grandiose images of a romantic weekend with my boyfriend, who I hadn't seen in over a month were shattered by the attention Austin gave Eric, a friendship formed over the many months they had been selling together. 

Austin asked "Sweetie, what's wrong?" to which I exclaimed, "We'll talk later."

Well later came sooner than I imagined, as we dropped Eric off at the mall to meet a woman he had "met on Tinder." 

Austin asked if I'd like to take a walk by the river to talk things over before meeting his brother and sister-in-law for dinner, since he "knew I liked walks" (which I do very much) I obliged (and not without pictures).

 As we walked, I pointed  out the large power lines and bland scenery to which he replied, "Yeah, this isn't quite as romantic as I imagined." We laughed, but I was still bothered, mad even. I did not spend almost all the money I had earned over the summer to date Eric. I did not wish to share my time with my man  (as selfish as that sounds). I told him this and he explained himself. We exchanged apologies, but I could not let all of my ill feelings go. 

Yet, I was determined to enjoy the evening and just forget about the incident. Soon, just before I asked him one, he asked me a question. (This was a game we played often when our relationship was budding to get to know each other, so it instantly put a smile on my face) We continued to walk and talk, answering questions along the way. Yet, Austin continued to check his phone (something he never does, often) and stop frequently (another thing he never does, often) I continued to drag him along, until he pointed out that it was beginning to get dark and said that we should turn back. I did not agree, and just wanted to explore a bit further into this burned patch of brush that was so beautiful. He didn't stop me. As we stood among the charred plants he asked, "What were you and are you most excited for on this trip?" I replied, "That sir is a loaded question because the thing I was the most excited for was the chance of a proposal and the thing I am most excited for it the chance of a proposal." He laughed and pulled me in for a hug and kiss. Then turned me around and we started to walk back. 

After running into 2 skunks and nearly getting sprayed, we made it back to a peculiar fork in the road, one path we had taken and the other not. Austin said, "I think we should try this other path out. I don't really feel like walking through those buzzing, ugly power lines again. Do you?" (I didn't) So we began to walk, asking questions all along the way. Until he squeezed my hand and pulled me under a large, old oak tree that overlooked the river and the orange and pink hues of the sunset that was fast fading. He asked, "Is it my turn?" to which I said, "Yes, you said you liked my question." He replied, "I do and I'll ask you that one another time. My question has two parts. The first question I want to ask is if for the next you want me standing up or on one knee?" I threw my hands up over my mouth and started to shake. Was this really happening?! I replied, "You better be on one knee!" He laughed and got down on one knee as he pulled out the ring box, he asked the question I had waited to hear since the first week I met him. "Julie Louise Archer, will you marry me?" I paused and said, 

"you told me to think about it before I said yes." So I thought, and as I did Eric and Austin's family came out of the bushes with videocameras and cameras, snapping pictures and capturing the moment. (At first I thought they were strangers coming to jump us on the bike path!)  I quickly said yes, tears in my eyes and pulled him to his feet so I could kiss the handsome man that was to become my husband. 

Saying yes to Austin was the easiest thing I've ever done, 

and the hardest thing I've ever thought about. 

I love him and I know he is the one for me. 

Celebrating at The Cheesecake Factory!

The Ring: He did well :)

Yours Truly, 

Julie