The Best Yes

Five years ago today was the day I said my best yes. Marcus asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Saying yes that day was one of the easiest (and also smartest) things I’ve ever done.Not to take anything away from wedding days, because I think it’s so important to take vows and promise to love each other in front of God and our loved ones, but there is something so special about the engagement. I love the element of surprise, the intimacy of the moment between the couple, and call me old-fashioned, but there is something about your man getting down on one knee that makes a girl feel so loved and cherished.

The wedding joy is spread out over months and different events with a peak on the wedding day and slow, lazy honeymoon afterward to soak it all in. But the engagement is jam packed full of excitement and emotion all at once. There is something about it that just can’t be recreated.

I’ll be honest in that getting engaged didn’t come as a complete surprise to me. Marcus and I had discussed marriage on multiple occasions, and he even knew the kind of rings I preferred (smart man)! But somehow, on this day, at this time, I really didn’t think anything big was about to happen.

It was my dad’s birthday weekend, and we were planning to spend it in Austin. No big surprises there. We were going out to eat in Austin for his birthday at Trace at the W Hotel. After dinner, we were supposed to be heading to different location for another drink, but Marcus brought me to the Long Center (a performing arts center in downtown Austin) instead. I should have started to get suspicious here, but I just assumed maybe the bar we were headed to was inside.It wasn’t until Marcus had literally pulled me out onto the center of the lawn that the dots started connecting. Although I don’t remember every word he said, I will never forget how I felt in that moment. June 28, 2013 was one of my very favorite days.Marcus also got major brownie points for:

1. Having it documented. He hired a local Austin photographer, but even just having a friend or family member taking a couple snapshots from afar is always a good move.
2. Not letting me wear the t-shirt and shorts I had planned to wear this day – it wouldn’t have made for nearly as nice keepsake photos. Our running joke is that he REALLY likes me in “summery dresses”, which is what he told me that morning as I was getting dressed.
3. Having coordinated a gathering at our family lake house later that evening with both of our families and our closest friends. I am so thankful we were able to share our excitement with loved ones that night.
4. Just really knowing me and how I would want to mark this special day in my memory. This looks different for every person, but Marcus got it 100% right for me.

I love you, Marcus. Happy five year engage-aversary!

Tip – If you are in Austin and looking for a place to take great photos, The Long Center has a beautiful view of the Austin skyline, in addition to being a unique building itself. Just make sure you don’t plan to go when a big event is happening, because the lawn can get pretty crowded.