Engaged!

On Saturday my best friend asked me to marry him.

From Kevin's and my first extended conversation (in January), our relationship has come together very quickly. Weeks after we began dating in early March, I knew Kevin was the man God had for me to marry. Kevin knew as well; God definitely led us in the same timing.

Regarding the proposal, Kevin was intent on two things: 1. Surprising me (quite a feat considering our early discovery that we would marry); 2. Making the event a great story for me to tell. I'm a writer, so he knew the story would certainly be told.

For a month or so we've talked about going ring shopping, but we were both too busy to do so. Last week, for example, we were both working at VBS from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and then Kevin would work at Starbucks from 3 p.m. to midnight. So we hadn't gone ring shopping but Kevin requested I leave this past Saturday open for a "date day."


Originally he suggested we go horseback riding, but on Thursday he asked if we could change our plans and go to Estes Park. I said yes; Estes Park is one of my favorite places. On Friday I had a weird feeling he might propose. A few things seemed suspicious, like he was planning to dress up a little and he had asked if we could have dinner with his parents later. But Friday night he suggested we go ring shopping this week and gave this whole (very sincere and convincing) speech about how he wanted me to get the ring I wanted and he didn't want to mess up the experience. (He now claims that was all true and coming from his actual concern that I like the ring.) I bought it hook, line and sinker and ruled out a proposal as part of Saturday's events.

Even when his "surprise" plan—a horse-drawn carriage—pulled up at 7 p.m., I still didn't suspect. I just thought he was creating a relaxing and romantic date for us. He didn't seem a bit nervous as we headed out on our carriage ride toward the mountains. The evening was gorgeous. Kevin is allergic to horses, so he started having a reaction. Around that time, he said, "We should stop and take a picture before my eyes get too red." So the driver pulled over near a clump of Aspens and a little brook. I found it slightly odd that the driver didn't offer to take our picture but instead said he was driving to the end of the lane to turn the horse around.

Kevin and I walked into the Aspens where we took a couple of pictures. After our photo moment, Kevin took both my hands. His hands were all nervous and fidgety, and that is when I knew what was happening. I got an adrenaline rush like the one you feel at the top of a roller coaster hill when you're about to go down the other side. This was it. He was proposing!!!

I listened carefully since many of my friends have said they forget what the guy said when he proposed. Kevin told me some of the reasons he loves me—my smile and laugh, my passion for God and people and children. Then he got down on one knee and said, "Suzanne Hadley, will you marry me?" I said YES!!! (Very quickly, I might add—he's a catch!)

When we returned to the carriage, a dozen red roses were waiting along with sparkling cider and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. He and the driver had an elaborate plan worked out. There had been a code phrase and everything! And a woman I thought was a friendly neighbor walking by was the carriage driver's wife, who had stashed all the goodies until needed.


Kevin picked the ring himself based on only the following from me: "I'd like it to be warm, soft and romantic." He bought the ring in North Carolina when he was there for his brother's wedding two weeks ago. I love it. The ring is unique, and I love that Kevin picked it out himself. He gets an A+++ for the proposal and ring. He accomplished both his goals: He surprised me and gave me a great story to tell.

I am a blessed woman. God has orchestrated our story, from our unusual meeting a year ago, to our ample opportunities to minister together, to our miracle-grow friendship, to our overcoming potential obstacles to our relationship, to our shared passion for children's ministry, to our mutual enjoyment of coffee, to our simple joy in being in each other's company. God knew who I needed; and He knew when I needed him. In January I had no idea I would be engaged in June. The glory goes to God who blesses us with what we do not deserve and sustains us when blessings are less apparent.

"You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees." —Psalm 119:68