Official Proposal Story!!!

So, finally, I will be telling you the wonderful story of how a regular date night turned into the most wonderful night of my life...
Buckle in! It's a tear-jerker!

Matt had told me earlier in the week that we were going to have Date Night Thursday night. He said he had been grumpy from his cutback on dipping and wanted to make it up to me. (I didn't think he'd been that grumpy, but I love date night, so I didn't argue.) I looked forward to it all week, and then Thursday came around and he sent me a text asking me to wear his favorite B/W sleeved dress. (Oddity #1) He's never asked me to where something before, and I might have complained a bit since it had sleeves and it was a scorching 102 that day! But, I conceded. Then, he said he'd pick me up at 5:45 (Oddity #2). I figured that was a bit early, but I was just happy that Matt was planning our date night out so nicely.

So, I had been wanting to get off work a bit early that day, but it just wasn't so. The phone kept ringing, the bills kept coming in, and Matt kept cheerfully calling me seeing how my day was going...I'd even noticed one time he called saying he "was just working" although I could distinctly hear that he was outside with a conspicuous noise of a car bell dinging (Oddity #3). When I finally got off work, I rushed through my make-up, hair, put on my hot dress (not hott dress), stood under the fan for a while, yelled at the dogs, locked them up, and then heard a knock at the door (Oddity #4).
"Why on earth is Matt knocking at the door," I thought.
I went to the garage. No one.
I went to the front door, and there before me stood Chad Drake, Matt's best friend.
That's when I knew.
I suddenly got nervous. Thought I should've done my hair different. And severely regretted not getting my nails done over lunch.
I asked if I needed to bring a camera to which he laughed and responded, "I think we've got it covered." So, we hopped in the car where a dozen roses and two sheets of stationary sat on my seat. Chad carefully instructed me to read the poem first and then the note and then he produced a box of tissue saying it was his "chauffeur duties". I skimmed over the poem trying hard to comprehend what it was saying, but I still don't remember what it said. Something about roses and thorns (Matt re-read it to me later). Then, I moved on to the letter from Matthew (he had typed these out on beautiful, fancy, lawyer paper). The letter was lovely and sweet and mentioned the impending "proposal" and although I had a pretty good idea what was going on, that's where it finally hit me and I teared up. He said he had a question to ask me...but not yet...not till we had the blessing of everyone who meant the most to us.
So, with the help of my directions, we made out way to the sanctuary of Trinity Church (which I have been a member of for 23 years). I walked in, was asked to wait in the foyer before being ushered though 2 doors designated with red ribbon (so Chad would know which ones to go through). The sanctuary was black expect for Christmas lights lighting the middle aisle and a blue backlit stage. The music we want in our wedding was playing, and there, in the middle aisle, stood my three brothers and Dad lined one after the other.
This is where those tissues would've come in handy!
I approached Billy who was holding a Bible, tearfully read me a scripture, said, "You have my blessing", hugged me and stepped to the side. The next was Ramon who was having trouble seeing the scripture through his tears :) Then David. Then Dad. Then Matt.
Standing on the stage with "Marry Me" by Train playing in the background stood the man of my dreams. He read Scripture, expressed his desire to be the Godly, devoted husband I deserve and then got down on one knee,
"Jennifer Neufeld, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
I think I stuck out my hand before he evened opened the box. But, there in front of me, was the most beautiful round solitaire engagement ring ever. We cried, hugged, kissed, and then our family (my Mom and his Mom had been hiding in the shadows) surrounded us and lifted us up before our Lord. They walked off stage and Matt and I had a moment to talk about what just happened.
I thought that was it. Party over.
But alas, Matthew had more planned. Awaiting us outside was a lovely white limo with Joe, the limo driver, waiting in his black suit and chauffeur hat. Matt had my favorite wine waiting, and I immediatly started taking pictures of my rock and Facebooking the news.
B/c it's not official until it's Facebook official, of course!
We drove around for a bit until we pulled up to my parents house, and now the pictures can tell the rest of the story...

Everyone waited and waited...

And waited...

And they were all wearing black and white too!

Even the little ones.

Papa's girls

Matt had even remembered a very small detail...Two years ago, I had 7 Aussie groomsmen stay at my house for a week and in thanks, they gave me a bottle of champagne. I told Matt when we first started dating that I wanted this saved for a "special occasion". Wink. Wink. So, he had his friend, Craig, play sneaky ninja and grab it from my house right after I left so we could open it at our engagement party!

I was so super excited to see everyone!

Rainnie sent out lovely invites weeks before which she framed and had everyone sign with sweet comments. The detail put into this evening blows me away even now!

My favorite picture of the evening...

Our dear friend, Ron Key, praying a blessing over us.

Time for the party!

I think this was the biggest surprise for me. The tables, candleabras, food, music, wine...it was so beautiful!

And, of course, food for the kids!

Mash potato bar

Cupcakes and red velvet cake balls

VIP table

My dear friend, Shelby, even drove in from Dallas with a 15-week-old baby!

And by the end of the evening, we propped out feet up as I stole glances at my ring.

It was the most wonderful evening ever! I can't imagine being any happier, but apparently, there's another big day to follow!

Save the Date!

November 4, 2011