26 and engaged!

Happy Birthday to me! I'm 26 and I'm engaged to my best friend the most amazing, kind, compassionate, loving, and inspirational fiancé EVER! I am so overjoyed! Last year turning 25, I wrote a list out of the 25 things I learned and made a wish to fall in love. My wish came true last night when he got on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of his life with him. Of course I said yes. I'm still in shock! This all began last weekend, B apparently went to spend time with my parents and asked them for their blessing for my hand in marriage. Of course they said yes, my mother even went to bridal shops to gather details on wedding planning to give me as a birthday gift. B ordered the ring and was planning to propose to me in San Francisco during his family reunion, but plane tickets were increasing everyday. I did not think I was going to be able to attend the reunion. So, he went with plan B to gather all of our love ones during my birthday weekend in DC. I called my mom and told her I wanted to have dinner with her and Mr. Fred during my birthday weekend since I was close in DC. She said she was gonna think about coming when she knew all along that he was going to propose. B and I have always talked about marriage and taking those next steps. I did not think it would happen this soon. I did know that long distance is hard on any relationship and we both were starting to grow weary of the travel and lack of time spent together. So, B planned away. I called my mom to confirm they were coming on Friday night, she said yes. I was simply excited because I haven't spent a birthday with my mom in years. Dinner is all I asked to have, wanted to keep it simple. He told me the reservation time and suggested what I wear. I went with the flow. We met my parents at the hotel and they followed us to the restaurant The Wharf in old town Alexandria. Once we parked and arrived I was surprised to see my grandparents and sister. It was exactly what I wanted to be surrounded by those I love on my birthday weekend. As we waited for our seats we walked toward the river and B suggested we take a ferry to the National Harbor. I was starting to get suspicious because he mentioned he invited both his parents to my birthday dinner. The ferry tickets were purchased. We walked back to the restaurant and were seated. Dinner was rushed because we didn't want to miss the ferry. I ate some fresh catfish, grilled veggies, and they brought me cheesecake with a lit candle. Of course Happy Birthday was sang regular and Stevie Wonder style. We laughed, ate fast, and were on our way to catch this ferry. On the ferry I asked B why were we going over here and demanded him to let me know what he had planned next. He was very adamant and firm about not telling me what was planned. He also threatened to take my phone. That is a no no. You can't take my phone, so I stopped bugging him, and just continued to go with the flow. Once off the ferry we walked toward this statue coming out of the sand. The weather was perfect 77 degrees wind blowing and romantic setting. Once we arrived to this point we met both his parents. At this point he suggested we take pictures and I proceeded to open my gifts. I was thinking is he gonna propose now? My mom and sister brought me some cute dresses and blouses. I read everyone's cards. Then B began talking about the significance of the statue. The statue was called the Awakening. He mentioned how many were in the world and the meaning behind why it was shaped. He then started to look at me and said over the last 3 years he has been awakened by me. That I've made his life better and be was ready to take it to the next level. At this point I completely lost it, he was on one knee. I started screaming OH MY GOD! I think I ran away at one point. All the while I covered my face because I started to cry. I told him yes and gave him a hug. I was still screaming Ahhhhhhh by this time and my family and his family were laughing at me. We took pictures and more pictures. I hope they come out decent. The ring is beautiful. B told me he will upgrade me in a few years, but I think it's perfect. I told him I didn't want a solitaire diamond and that I wanted something different like a gem stone. He gave me a ruby my birthstone, and significant to a Proverbs 31 woman who's price is far above rubies. I love it. Very elegant and classy like me. B did an excellent job, I'm so proud of him! It was the best birthday gift I could ever ask for. I will always remember 26! I then proceeded to interrogate B on the inns and outs of this planning. We laughed and joked around with the family. We even set a date 8.4.12. At 12am they yelled Happy Birthday to me! I kissed and told everyone I loved them and thanked them for coming. I went to sleep 26 and engaged, and I could not have asked for a better gift. "He blesses me over and over again, even when I'm not deserving" Keep the Faith! Until next time, ~E