The Proposal

My perfect surprise proposal!

When I dreamed about the perfect proposal I always envisioned it in front of my family and friends. BUT I never in a million years would have dreamed that my super shy boyfriend who hates being in front of big crowds would have aked me to marrry him in front of others...boy was I wrong! Although we had talked a little engagement rings a few times prior, I was pretty much clueless about what Chad had in the works for my graduation party. I had actually spent a great deal of time mentally (and secretly) convincing myself that it would be OK if he didn't ask adn that I wouldn't be disappointed. At my graduation party, celebrating my graduation from the Univerity of Kentucky, a great deal of my family and friends had gathered to watch me open my gifts. After opening a few, my mom (who was one of the VERY few in on the secret also) brought over chad's gift which was in a big brightly colored striped bag. I opened the card which talked about how proud he was of my accopmlishment. It then said, "P.S. You will remember this day for the rest of your life!" A thought flickered through my mind..... maybe this could be it! But very quickly it was followed by a THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! However, I quickly decide that if that was what this was all about there would be a little ring box at the bottom of this big bag. So I took a deep breath and reached into the bag, only to pull out a large picture collage. I thought that was nice, but not really what I was hoping for! Chad had put pictures of me and our famlies from my graduation ceremony in the frame. He then said there was something else in the bag. OK! Maybe now, I thought! So this time I pulled out ALL of the yellow tissue paper hoping to see a box! No such luck! As I have just graduated with my degree in elementary education, I found a name plate for my desk and a stand to put it on. The name plate said, "Ms. Shoemaker." That pretty much cancelled out all thoughts I had of a possible proposal. Then Chad said, "Mom did you put that other thing in there?" And my heart started to pound in my chest... hidden underneath the cardboard in bottom of the gift bag was another name plate... this one said "Mrs. Whitis"!!! As I pulled it out of the bag Chad got down on one knee and in front of all my family and friends said, "Will you marry me?" I WAS STUNNED!!!! The only thing I could get out was "uh huh!" Chad then placed the most beautiful ring I could have imagined on my finger. Thinking back to that day I realize adn remember just how amazing our God is. He fulfilled my dreams and more when he sent me Chad. Chad is my soul-mate and the absolute love of my life. Thank you Lord for my fiance and future husband. Thank you for our very own "love story."