Saturday, March 30, 2013

Easter Sunday Weekend

CJ and I flew down to California.. so that CJ could officially ask my dad if he could marry his daughter, ME, over Easter weekend. Right before we flew down on that Thursday (2010), CJ sat me down and told me how the ring wasn't ready. That he tried to get the ring finished in time because he knew I would love it if he proposed when we were with my WHOLE family around. I was a little bummed but I didn't care because I was going to marry him no matter what. So, I said ok, and we flew to California.

The next morning CJ and my dad went golfing.  I knew that CJ was going to ask my dad the BIG question, so I was all giddy, waiting for them to come home!! CJ came back and said it was fine.. played golf... asked the question.. and we were good to go- WE WERE GETTING MARRIED!! I can still remember how excited I was and the butterflies I had. MY DAD SAID YES!!

Saturday we hung out, played tennis, hung out with my family, and watched conference. All my sisters and everyone was asking me if CJ had the ring, if I knew what it looked like, when he was going to ask. I didn't have the answer for any questions, I was just on cloud nine and knew I was going to marry my CJ.  CJ and his best friend, Andrew, designed my ring and I had no idea what it was going to look like. CJ and I spent a total of 15 minutes in a ring store and CJ said he knew what "he/I wanted". The funny thing is that I didn't even know what I wanted, but I trusted CJ's taste, and we left the store... I just had to be surprised. So, I had no clue about the when, where, how, what... I just knew how excited I was to marry him!

Sunday, the entire family came to my parents house for Easter. Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, some cousins, and all my brothers and sisters with their kids. We did the Easter egg hunt, CJ helped hide eggs for the kids, and I loved just watching him be apart of my family. The best part is we took a family picture and CJ stood right next to me... he was going to be the newest addition to the family and I was so excited! I was squeezing his hand so tight in the pictures and he would whisper funny things to me like "its not official yet".. but it was and I was so proud to show him off to my entire family.  After we ate and said bye to my grandparents and cousins, CJ really wanted to go to the beach. He had a valid point too... he flew all the way to California, he needed to at least see the beach before we flew home the next day. I vividly remember grabbing a blanket and heading out the door.. all my family was acting all giddy and right before I shut the door I popped my head back in and said "don't worry everyone, he doesn't have the ring, he isn't proposing.. we will be back in like an hour", and I shut the door behind me. We drove down to the beach and we talked about how fun it would have been if he had the ring.. so that my grandparents could see. I agreed, but I was totally fine because I knew it was going to happen... eventually!!

We parked the car at "our spot", which is right down in Carlsbad, off or Christiansen St. Went down the stairs and started to walk down the beach holding CJ's hand, not even thinking that he would ask the BIG question. We came up to these rocks and CJ said lets sit and watch the sunset, our favorite, so I agreed and headed to the rocks. We picked the rock and I started to climb when CJ started to tug at my waist and forced me to turn around. I said " I'm trying to climb here", when I turned around and saw CJ on one knee. The next thing out of my mouth was "CJ this isn't a funny joke... you told me you didn't have the ring", and I almost turned to start climbing again when he reached inside of his jacket coat pocket, and pulled out a ring!! I was totally in shock! I remember his face smiling at me and he told me how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, how much he loved me, and how excited he was to marry me. I said YES, YES, YES!!! I couldn't believe it... he totally punked me. I believed every word that came out of his mouth... so I really didn't think he had the ring. I was so happy and excited.. and CJ was so nervous and excited he started to put the ring on the wrong hand. We both started laughing and kissing, we were so happy! I shouted from the top of my lungs "I'M ENGAGED!!!!!" This random lady watched it all happen, came up to us after, and wanted to look at my ring... she said "oh, he's a keeper", I couldn't agree more. I just kept looking at my ring and CJ and laughing about how I was punked! CJ told me that he told my dad on Friday, that he had the ring, and that is was going to happen on Sunday when the family was together. That plan didn't happen as planned. CJ wanted it to just be us.. he got nervous and thought about doing it a couple times that day... but it never felt right. We  finally climbed and sat up on our rock and watched the sunset together. He sat behind me and wrapped us in a blanket and held me so tight. I was the happiest girl on earth because I am going to marry the best guy in the world, MY CJ!! It was pretty cold and windy, so as soon as the sun set we went to the car. I remember we had to stop and get gas and that is when I kept taking pictures of my ring and sending texts... how he called his mom and family! We both we smiling ear to ear.

When we came home... I was surprised with a family PARTY! Everyone knew he had the ring, BUT ME, and as soon as we left they went to the store and got sparkling cider and cute cups! I was so excited to show off my ring, and CJ was relieved to finally tell the truth and put the ring on my finger!! The funny thing as I looked back on that day.. I could totally tell that my family was always giving CJ and I space through out the day.. but ALWAYS watching me. I only was watching CJ, so I didn't even thing twice about their weird behaviors. CJ apologized to my grandparents for not asking when I was there.. but my grandma and grandpa loved CJ, so they were so excited! We cracked open the sparkling cider and diet coke, my favorite, and toasted to US! I was going to me the wife to my hunk of a man CJ. I couldn't stop looking at my ring and I couldn't leave CJ's side... we were so happy.

It was the greatest day of my life. It was the start of our lives together. We were so excited. CJ proposed to me on Easter. He said he wanted to do it on a holiday, so that he would never forget a special date, and remember to celebrate extra. It was the best Easter I could ask for. Each year the day of Easter lands on a different date, but our rule is that we just go off the day of the holiday... and called it good.










4 comments:

  1. This is so beautiful. Lots of tears for you.

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  2. I can't remember how I was directed to your blog - blog surfing somehow, but I feel so sad as I'm sure occasions like this bring such bitter sweet memories for you. I'm sorry for you as you miss your sweet husband. I hope you have some days where you can find some peace and feel some joy.

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  3. beautiful ring, beautiful story, beautiful couple!!

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  4. Ever since I heard your story you have been in my thoughts and prayers:) you are an amazing woman.

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