our engagement story

  

On a very special bridge, eight years ago, I was asked to be Mrs. Christopher L!!

That week we had decided to participate in the Daniel Diet. This was the brilliant idea of my older sister. At the time she was working on her masters and Chris and I were about to begin our final semester of college. My sister and I were living together at the time. She is incredible!! And one of those people that I want to be like someday…so whenever she has a brilliant idea, I am right there ready to follow. If I remember correctly, she was reading through the book of Daniel and had the idea to eat and drink like Daniel was instructed to do during the beginning of his captivity…so for a week, we (Bec, Chris and I) only ate fresh veggies and drank straight up water. It was definitely bearable, but towards the end we were definitely ready for a big steak dinner.

To break the Daniel fast, we decided to head to the big town about 30 minutes away from our university. That afternoon we went to watch my brother’s basketball game (he played for our school). After the game I went with my brother to Wally world and as he was pulling up to my apartment to drop me off, I saw Chris standing at the door wearing a suit. Now for all who know my hubby (at least in college) he preferred jeans with a nice white t—shirt. As I walked up to my doorstep I was a little flabbergasted as to why he was wearing a suit. He told me to go in my apartment and wait in my room. When I entered my room he had a dress waiting for me to put on. After I changed we enjoyed a wonderful dinner of Italian food and listening to some Chris Tomlin. At one point he left to go “check on something” and the next thing I know in walks my roommate and sweet friend, Kimberlee. She hands me a note and the scavenger hunt began.

Chris had prepared sweet notes that led me to the next spot that held a special place in our heart’s complete with a flower at each stop. My brother played a big part in this night as he delivered all the notes and flowers.

First stop: a sweet family’s home that had a Bible study on Sunday night. That night we sat by each other at dinner, he was so busy eating his hot dog he didn’t even seem to notice me…at least not until I was reading from Lamentations 3:21-26 later that evening.

Second stop: the basketball gym. Our first long conversation happened after one of his intramural games. I sure enjoyed watching him play, he has one of the prettiest jump shots around!
Third stop: The football stadium. The night before the summer holiday was to begin, soon after we began hanging out, he informs me that he likes me, and asks if he can write me letters over the summer. Don’t forget this was during the time of cell phones and email.  He did call me that summer…once every other week and once when he missed a night, he waited two more weeks to call. This was a summer where the Lord taught me a whole lot about patience and contentment.

Fourth stop: The fountain on campus. One night as we were walking back to my dorm after studying, he reached for my hand as we were walking past the fountain.

Fifth stop: Dairy queen. Description below.

Sixth stop: the BRIDGE. This was the place where a year and a half before, we had taken our ice cream cones from Dairy Queen sat and talked for a while…and then he kissed me!!. A few days after that, Chris would decide that he thought it best if we no longer kissed. He told me that he wanted to honor me and protect both of us…and that if our purpose was to bring glory to God, then we should be able to wait. He believed our relationship was more important and that waiting would only strengthen our friendship and concern for each other and that it would be a whole lot easier to practice self control. I sure respected this decision but honestly was a little disappointed :)

That night as I walked those steps to the candlelit bridge, my heart was still guarded not knowing what my wonderful boyfriend intended.  As we stood face to face there on that bridge, both of us shaking from nerves and because it was freezing cold, he opened the Word and read from Ephesians 5. He said some words that I don’t quite remember too clearly, but along the lines that the Lord had brought us together, and that for the rest of our life we would walk as one, serving and loving each other…with the sole purpose of living for our Creator. Before he asked me to marry him, he said the 3 words I had been waiting to hear and say, “I love you”(neither one of us had ever said this to anyone else)…then he proceeded to kiss me. He got down on his knees and asked me to marry him. It was sweet, perfect, romantic and freezing!! I of course said yes!
I love this man. I don’t deserve him. During these past eight years he has shown maturity, strength, faithfulness, selflessness, and genuine love. Each day he lives with such purpose and and so full of life and joy.  He is my Ishi. I am so thankful for my husband…my example in the faith and the one I will walk with for the rest of my days. The Lord truly blessed me beyond measure. May the adventures continue my love!