Sunday, August 10, 2014

Preparing to be Mrs. Little (Warning: This is a long one!)

My heart is so full of emotions today!
I know that I need to write all this down ASAP before I forget!

Aaron and I have been dating since January.
It has been wonderful and, I can honestly say, pretty easy!
We are best friends!
We talk about everything.
We care about each other's lives and well-being.
We love each other!

By May we felt like our relationship might really go somewhere serious, so we bought tickets
to visit my family in North Carolina over the 24th of July.
Sometime toward the end of June we decided that we wanted to get married.
I don't remember any major talks or discussions, but I do remember feeling good about it.
After the 4th of July weekend, we sat down with his parents and told them we wanted to get married.
They were so excited! 
We talked for an hour and a half about wedding plans.
Simple, I said. Let's keep it really simple!

So we chose Thursday, October 16th.
In the Salt Lake Temple.
I bought a dress. 
We did some ring shopping.
We went to NC and visited with my family.
Aaron talked to my dad. He says it is one of the most nerve-wracking things he's ever done!
I love him for being willing to do it!
My dad said, "Go for it!"

Aaron kept telling me that he probably wouldn't officially propose until I get back from my two-week tour of Europe the end of this month.
I thought it would be nice to have a ring before that, but I wasn't going to bother him about it.
I trusted his judgment on this. 

We continued making wedding plans.
I'm so excited about it that I couldn't keep it very secret.
Pretty much everyone knew; we just hadn't posted it on Facebook.
This past Tuesday we baby-sat his niece and nephew. 
Afterwards, Aaron suggested we go to his parents' house to discuss the remodel they're doing on his condo.
While we were there, Aaron's mom got a call from a neighbor saying she had four tickets to a 
symphony in Park City the following night.
They asked us what we were doing.
We had no plans, so we decided to meet in PC at 6:30 for dinner, then symphony at 8:00.

On Wednesday, I came home from work and changed into nicer clothes.
Aaron came and got me and we headed up the canyon.
On our way up, I tried to get some hint from him about what surprise he has in store after Europe.
(Remember, I thought he wasn't going to propose until then.)
He said he couldn't tell me anything because it would give it away.
We got a text from his mom saying his dad wasn't home yet and to go ahead and have dinner without them.
We got to Cafe Terigo about 6:45.
They seated us outside at a nice table for two.
That should have been a clue right there!
Aaron and I enjoyed a really nice meal. 
He was texting periodically during the meal. After a text, he would say something that made me think he was texting his parents to see where they were.
About 7:45, I asked him if we needed to go to make it to the symphony on time.
He said it was just up the street and why didn't we get a dessert?
I said I was really full.
He said let's get some gelato. It glides right down.
I never turn down gelato!

The manager comes and takes our plates.
They bring dessert. 
I am thoroughly enjoying hazelnut gelato.
A few minutes later, Aaron says we should get going.
I fold my napkin and reach for my purse.
Aaron says, "Before we go, I have to ask you a question."
He scoots his chair back and stands up.
I see a small white box in his hands.
My eyes get wide and I gasp very loudly!
Aaron comes and kneels down beside me and takes my hands.
The little white box is open and I see the beautiful ring that I tried on the week before.
People in the restaurant are starting to notice.
I hear excited remarks and someone says loudly, "Grab a camera!"

I'm squealing, "Aaron, what are you doing?"
"You're doing this right now!"
"Aaron, you're proposing!"
Aaron smiles up at me and nods. 
I remember him saying something about how his life has been so much better with me, and he's pretty sure he knows the answer but has to ask anyway.
Somewhere in his beautiful speech I interrupted him and said, "Yes!"
The poor guy abandoned the well-rehearsed lines and, laughing because I was so completely caught off guard, stood up and started to put the ring on my fourth right finger. 
I quickly corrected him and he slid it in its rightful place.
I threw my arms around his neck and he kissed me.
I shook my head in amazement and said again, "Aaron, you just proposed!"
He grinned and nodded and said, "Yep, that's why Heather is here taking pictures!"
I looked over to see Aaron's sister clicking away with her camera and her husband standing beside her.
I couldn't believe this had just happened!
Heather and Jeff came over and hugged us.
I'm still trying to catch my breath!
Eventually we sat down and ate some more gelato.
I felt bad that I cut him off, so I asked him to repeat what he had said earlier.
He took my hands across the table and told me very sincerely that his life 
has been so much better since he met me.
He said originally he wanted to wait until I came back from Europe, but then he
decided he couldn't wait that long. 
He told me he was pretty sure of the answer, but had to ask, "Will you marry me?"
I was too excited to cry!
I felt so warm and fuzzy inside! 
I couldn't believe he had just proposed!

We finished our dinner. 
The manager and waitress both congratulated us. 
Turns out they knew all along!
Aaron and his parents had called ahead and made all the arrangements.
And there was no symphony.

I was so ecstatic! 
It was official!
We started walking down the main street of Park City.
We wondered what people usually do right after a proposal?
I hopped on my phone and posted it to Instagram and Facebook!
I was so excited and I wanted to share this with everyone!

In the few days since the proposal, I have been blown away by the amount of love and support
we have received from family and friends.
Everyone is excited for us!

And we are excited to being our life together as Mr. & Mrs. Little.
I have a very strong testimony of the institution of marriage.
The Lord intends for us to come together as man and wife.
It is so wonderful to always have a companion by my side.
I'm so grateful for the Priesthood Aaron holds.
I'm grateful that he is worthy to preside in our home!

Aaron's parents have generously offered to help remodel Aaron's condo.
This week they ripped out the kitchen and the master bathroom.
It is so exciting to think that this will be our home!

In about nine weeks, Aaron and I will be sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
There's a lot to do between now and then.
But for today, I'm going to be excited about my future as Mrs. Little!