....here comes the bride?

It's true. And even before I type this two word sentence, I must admit that I am still in shock.
"I'm engaged!". 
Phew, I feel relieved, excited, overwhelmed, blessed, loved, stressed, etc. when I realize that I am engaged to my best friend, Stephen Graham.


So, here we go. Diving into probably the sappiest blog you'll see on my page.

August 12, 2012: Freedom Life Church; after 11:15 service

I was on the worship team for the weekend's services.

Usually at the end of a message, we do a closing song

and then a "celebration" song as people are leaving.

Well this time, after our closer song, everyone that was singing with me

left the stage. I was initially a little peeved

that all the singers left all the microphones all

jacked up and all over the stage, because I knew

that I would clean it up (which is funny to me now haha).

Then I feel a tug at my arm: Stephen.

I'm trying to wrap up the microphones and he's trying to have

conversations with me. I thought he was going to tell me

that he was getting the kids from the children's ministry.

But instead, he said something along these lines:

(I can't remember details: it's all a blur obviously haha)

(Imagine "Jesus at the Center of it All" being played in the background. This has HUGE significance in our walk with God & our stance

in our relationship....)

You know, we've talked about running the race

towards God together. Pastor Freddy talked about that today.

How would you like to run that race with me?
I want to be with you forever.

And I have something for you.

(I said: Oh my gosh!)

He is about to get down on one knee when 

I hear some people say "TURN AROUND!"

Sidenote: Stephen is 6'8. So he was standing in front

of me the entire time, therefore I couldn't see the 

50 friends/family sitting there watching and crying!

I turn around, say "AH! Oh my gosh!" & immediately realize

that is really happening.

He gets on his knee and says 

Will you marry me?

and of course I'm balling like a baby

and I showed how much of a true schoolgirl I am

by fanning my face and crying with excitement.

I said YES! of course

and we hugged. I couldn't stop crying.

Okay so, I'm engaged.

This means....I'm planning a wedding....a wedding?
Here's the thing. Typical girls have planned weddings, in all aspects,

since they could understand who "Prince Charming" was.

From the colors of the wedding, place, time of day, flowers, foods, gowns, etc.

....I haven't. 

This freaks me out BUT indeed makes me excited. Everything about my wedding with Stephen will be planned with Stephen and with significance rather than tradition. We have already decided to do away with some traditional things just to have room for some symbolic things that represent our relationship and our ties with God & all His blessings.

This wedding planning journey will be an exciting one, but also a challenge.

I'm the type of girl who hates when people try and pay for dinner. Try to imagine having my parents work hard to pay for an entire wedding. I'm struggling with the thought of an entire ceremony with such CRAZY expenses being for Stephen & I. In fact, I even thought of doing a courthouse ordeal and saving us all time, money, etc. but quickly threw that thought out of the window. I mean, who wouldn't want to have an entire night with friends, family, etc. and dancing?! :)

My favorite part of this entire process with Stephen? Keeping Jesus at the center of it all....including wedding planning. He brought us together & designed our relationship, so why shouldn't I let Him design this wedding and bring us together in such a beautiful union...marriage?

Okay, enough sap....well maybe a tiny bit more:

To Stephen:

Remember those "To My Future Husband" posts you used to read before we started dating? Well, re-read those....they're all for you.

So blessed to have you as my best friend  & fiance.

Until next time,

J. King.....future J. Graham