The Engagement {part 4 - babblings from the morning of}

It's here! It's the morning of the BIG proposal and there are a gazillion thoughts and emotions running through this teary-eyed sappy momma's mind.

While the day will be busy getting all the final preparations made and setting up for the surprise celebration, my thoughts wander.

How did he grow up so fast?
Is he ready for marriage?
What will the future bring?
Where will their life together lead them?

And while I don't know the answers to those questions, I do know I have to trust. Trust HIM!

But I have to tell you that having a gazillion questions, doesn't negate how excited I am. Seriously, excited! Like WOW.

My little boy is getting engaged!
We love his girl!
She's already part of our family.
Now we get to make it official.
I admire the love I see in them for each other.
I LOVE how they seek God in all they do.
I adore the fact that she compliments my son in all he does.

Yep, I'm babbling away because I'm too stinkin' excited!

Some of you might possibly think I'm crazy. But I could use some words of advice. Anyone want to share? Memories? What to be mindful of now that we're planning a wedding?

I gotta go get ready for the big surprize.
I'll be so glad when we can talk about this. It's awkward holding stuff this good in.

And even more awkward that by the time I post this it will be old news. :(



Engagement Part 1 - if I could keep him little
Engagement Part 2 - the ring
Engagement Part 3 - keeping the secret

The Engagement {part 3 - keeping the secret}

"Mom, I need you to keep this ring and hide it!"

As my son handed me the gift bag with the ring in it, more emotions lept from my heart. I think on the inside I was screaming, "NO. You know I'm not that responsible. I can't find things I use every day, much less hide something and find it a month later." But on the outside once again, I was glad I got to be a part of such a special event.

But you have to know -- this secret -- it's killing me.

While I secretly write here to capture the moment, I'm ready for the secret to be revealed. I'm tired of avoiding my boy's girl for fear I'm going to blow the secret.

Are you a good secret keeper? You've probably guessed it, I'm not.

How are you doing with all those Christmas secrets? Are you having to avoid certain people so you don't spoil the surprise?

Don't you just love all those awkward moments that happen while you're trying to keep sweet, special secrets?

The Engagement {part 2 - the ring}

Read The Engagement {part 1 - if I could keep you little}.

My mind was trying to wrap around the fact that my "boy" was turning into a man and had marriage deep in his heart. When he first brought up the subject, I figured I had about a year to prepare my heart and mind for this big step. After all, he doesn't graduate college until May 2012.

However, my boy wasn't worried about mom's time table. He was ready NOW.

One of the next conversations we had was about setting up a date for him and me to go look at rings. I couldn't believe he asked me to go with him. I can not even put into words how honored I felt to even be asked, much less get to be there for such an important decision on his part.

The engagement is a surprise, so naturally his girl couldn't go. And the ring was to be a surprise too, so thankfully he wanted a women's point on view on rings and I got asked.

We ventured out. I think his girl might have wondered what was up when we set out on our "mother/son date." She was texting the whole time we are out, so we decided to tell her we were going to eat.  We surely didn't want to keep fabricating these lies. (forgive us, Lord!)

Arriving at the jewelry store, it's hard to describe all the emotions I was feeling -- honored, excited, sad, anxious, privileged, and totally in awe of this little boy young man. We lingered at the counter, my son wanted my reaction on a ring he had spotted earlier so I had to turn around. Then I finally heard,

"Mom, you can turn around."

Oh. My. Word! The brilliance, shine, beauty, and sparkle -- all from one ring! It's as if that ring were highlighted from Above as my son put it in front of me. But I think deep down what was shining more was the love that this symbol represents. I'm still tearing up writing this, excuse me. There are not dictionary words to describe the beauty.

The beauty of my son's heart.
The beauty of his girl -- inside and out.
And the beauty of the ring that will symbolize their undying love.

There is something so special about a wedding ring. Do you remember the thoughts you had when you received yours? What does your ring symbolize to you?

Linking up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky for Tuesdays Unwrapped. This is our last Tuesday and one in which I am so thankful for boys, their girls, love, engagements, and rings.

The Engagement {if I could keep you little}

I wrote these posts in advance to chronicle the days of this mom's little boy getting engaged. The engagement was a surprise, so I'll be posting this week what led up to the big moment. It was a special journey! However, itt seems like yesterday we were capturing his growth on his bedroom wall (HERE). 


Snips and snails
and puppy dog tails
 . . . that's what little boys are made of.

If I could keep my son little . . . somedays I would, others day I wouldn't trade watching him grow into a man for nothing. And since keeping him little is not going to happen, I have to tell you . . .

My son and I photographed a wedding together one evening. We had a good hours drive on the way home and it was a great night for visiting, if I could keep my eyes open. After a moment of silence he began, "Mom, that's the kind of wedding my girl and I are going to have."

Blurry eyed I turned towards him, "What?"

And there begin the first of many conversations about the engagement and marriage of my little boy. I'm thankful he wanted to share the journey with me. That way it gives this poor mom's emotions time to sink in. Maybe if I cry a lot now, I won't cry on the big day. Well, maybe?

I'm not sure how all this works. This young man is the first of my three to get engaged or married. I need suggestions. I need advice. I need help! Anybody want to share?

The journey will be exciting. I love his girl. They compliment each other perfectly. It's just that . . .

Somewhere along this journey my little boy has grown in to . . . a man!


Joining up with Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday. Thank you, Carissa.

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