16 years ago today, my Genius Better Half proposed to me and oh, he got me good! I never saw it coming!

We had been dating for about a year and half at this time. He sent me a dozen red roses at work that Friday with a note saying something to the effect of “you don’t have to wait any more.” I thought he was talking about my birthday present or something (my birthday is in 4 days). Totally clueless.

I drove my Mitsubishi Eclipse to his house after work, thinking we were going to dinner and a movie. I went in and talked with his mom for a bit, while he was doing something? I had no idea. When we left, he walked with me and opened my door. Nothing unusual because he has always been a gentleman and I let him (Side note: He still opens doors for me!). It was a little unusual for us to be taking my car instead of his pickup but I didn’t think anything about it. Totally clueless.

He asked me a few questions and got me distracted talking about myself — which is a nifty little trick he does so he doesn’t have to talk. He said he needed to stop by a softball field to talk with a friend of his for a few minutes. This was quite believable as our lives really revolved around softball at the time.

We pulled up to an empty field, but there was one on the top of the hill where some people were playing. I asked him if we were going up there and kinda wondered why he’d parked so far away. “Nope, we’re going out there.” Totally clueless.

He proceeded to pull out of the trunk: his guitar, a blanket, and a box. OH MY WORD! This was it! How in the world did I not see that he had to put down part of the back seat to fit his guitar in the trunk? He kept me looking forward the entire time he was helping me in the car!

I now interrupt this touching moment with some background. When he and I first started dating, he told me it was really easy for guys to say “I love you” in bed, but to say “I love you” on a softball field, now that really meant something. The first time he wanted to tell me he loved me, he drove to a softball field and took me out in center field to tell me. It was really sweet. Back to this touching moment.

He helped me walk out to center field. I was in high heels because we were, after all, supposed to be going to eat dinner — not a softball field. He laid down the blanket for me to stand on, got out his guitar and sang me a beautiful song to which I cannot remember the name of right now. I’ll find out and let you know. I know — mood buster. But just go with the flow.

After he finished singing, I applauded and cheered. He put his guitar down. He took my hands and began the speech he’d been planning for I don’t know how long. Oh, and of course he was down on one knee. I was so excited between smiling and crying, I didn’t let the poor boy finish his speech before I blurted out “yes I’ll marry you!” We hugged and kissed.

Next he hands me a box. Not just any box. A Victoria’s Secret pink and white striped box — bigger than a jewelry box. I opened it up and there was a tshirt inside that said “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” with a picture of a softball diamond (you know, the field?). It was absolutely perfect!

Now, lest you think he’s a schmuk for not buying me a ring, he said he agonized over it and really wanted me to be with him to pick out the perfect ring. See, I am not a girlie-girl. Never have been. I don’t wear jewelry — don’t really like rings, etc. and have no clue about diamonds. So he purchased the shirt for me, and then proceeded to take me shopping — after dinner, a girl’s gotta eat! We shopped and shopped and learned everything there is to know about diamonds, and in the end, he bought me a really nice, really big diamond. I tried talking him into something smaller, but he refused and bought a really nice ring.

It was an absolutely unique and beautiful proposal. I knew after he and I had been dating for 2 months that I wanted to marry him — it took him a little longer to get to that point, but that was due to a past bad relationship. So, I cut him some slack 

Oh yeah, when we sat down to eat, I called Mom and Dad to tell them the news. You know what? They already knew. He had driven out to my parents’ house without me knowing, and asked Dad for my hand in marriage. I have definitely got a Keeper. So back off you single women — he’s mine!

In October, we will celebrate 16 years of marriage, and nowadays, that’s really an accomplishment. So many couples around us are getting divorced. I thank God that He’s kept us together this long and I pray that God strengthens our marriage every day.

Hugs and kisses to you, My Genius Better Half! You gave me a wonderful memory when you proposed  and even more wonderful memories have followed!

Seems like my posting here has been non-existent. (Sorry Duck! I know that’s how you keep up with me!)

I have come up with a new design and I’m going to take this weekend to remodel around here. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and come back to see me next week to check out the new digs!

And if you happen to have a smart phone or iPad, I highly recommend you check out this free app to help count your blessings!

I wanted to clarify something I wrote yesterday (I don’t think very highly of myself).

Duck…Mom…I didn’t mean to hurt your hearts. There are lots of thoughts running through my head and sometimes they aren’t very pretty — that’s just the truth. The other part of the truth is those lies come from the devil. (Mom, you can’t take any responsibility for that!) The ones that whisper who do you think you are to want to talk to Ann? You don’t have anything to offer her. Best just leave her alone.

In truth, I let those thoughts talk me out of meeting her and it’s entirely possible I missed out on a blessing from God. I do that sort of thing a lot when I’m not doing my quiet time or reading God’s word. I become lazy in focusing on the Truth and fall for the lies.

Duck and I had a great conversation last night. He told me how much he loved me and how I’m beautiful on the inside as well as the outside — “you have a heart of gold” he said. I needed to hear him say those things to me — to remind me — but it was also a little uncomfortable for me to receive those words.

You see, I’m a giver. My comfort zone is in giving. I would much rather give something than to get something. I want to help people, and I feel uncomfortable at time receiving even money for my work. I have been working on that and getting better

When I was talking with Duck last night, I realized that in my head, I was helping Ann by not going to talk to her. I was helping her get to her hotel room and sleep a few minutes earlier by not having to meet me or talk with me. That way of thinking is so engrained in me.

God’s been working on me though to get me out of my comfort zone of giving and wants me to receive His blessings and be thankful for them. So I’m continuing with my thankfulness!

10. awesome parents who I have always known love me no matter what I do

11. a warm hug and encouraging words

12. a daughter who actually said thank you this morning for her breakfast

13. listening to Duck help Doodle with homework

14. sweet comments from online friends I haven’t heard from in awhile

15. Sudafed

16. grocery store where we can get food to prepare for the storm coming

17. cooler weather signaling my favorite time of the year

18. Cokes

Many commented on the wonderful, artistic style of writing. The author, Ann without the fanciful “e” stirs many hearts in her writing. What did she do? Write out all 1,000 gifts in the book? Is she just listing stuff to give us ideas of what to be thankful for? To show us the right way to do it?

I heard Ann speak at the She Speaks Conference and it was…different. Soul-stirring. Humble. And she sat in the hallway until the very last person who wanted to meet her could talk to her. I was in awe. I didn’t want to meet her, to take up more of her time, and I didn’t fully realize until now why. I don’t think very highly of myself.

Who am I to want to meet her? What would I say? I’m quite sure I would not be able to say anything of impact — nothing that would change her life for the better. What could I offer her that those other people in line couldn’t? I would just be another face in the crowd.

I was further intrigued by her book so I bought it. When I started reading it, I was drawn in fully. My brain had a hard time adjusting to her writing — it kept wanting to add words I felt she left out. I understood exactly what she was communicating, and I wondered how many times I add in words that are better left out.

I am only a few chapters in, but it is a good read. Being thankful for the little things helps keep your heart in tune with God and not caught up in complaining about all that’s wrong.

This post has been on my heart and in my mind for a few week’s now. How fitting that I am making the time to post it on a Thursday. I used to post Thankful Thursdays every week way back when I was writing more. There’s no better time to start back than today. But being thankful shouldn’t be limited to Thursdays. Think I’ll go buy me a pretty little notebook and start writing my one thousand gifts. I may share some here but some may be too personal. I encourage you to share some things you are thankful for today.

1. a wonderful, healthy, loving husband/best friend

2. a wonderful, healthy, sometimes loving/sometimes hormonal daughter

3. made bed

4. clean, organized, painted closet

5. raindrops on motorcycle windshield

6. a little kitten who cuddles next to my leg while I work

7. controlled allergies for said kitten

8. comfy bed and full night’s sleep

9. getting a second chance to meet Ann

It was here 4 years ago.

Maybe it’s under that pile of hurt. Not chosen to write on that blog with all my friends.

Or that one. Not chosen to speak at that conference.

Possibly under that layer of jealousy. She did something I’ve been thinking of for years.

One sure thing.

God doesn’t forget. He gave me the dream of writing.

Not writing a book. Not writing magazine articles.

Just writing on my blog.

He reminded me last week at She Speaks — what my dream was.

I buried it under busyness and code.

Ignoring all of His promptings.

Now I must find it.

And know, just writing on my blog is enough when that’s what He’s called me to do.