It was March of 2010. I had nothing to wear and my CHI straightener had just broken, which was perfect timing because I was getting ready to go out to dinner for his mom’s birthday.

On the way to the restaurant he took an early left turn and I got an immediate hot flash. (Was he gonna propose?) We parked at the Chapel of St. Basil at the University of St. Thomas, where we had no history. (Maybe he isn’t going to propose and just wants to kill time before dinner??) We walked through the beautiful chapel with my heels clacking & knees knocking. We finally ended up at the labyrinth outside in the courtyard (in the dark, alone) and I knew it was coming.

He asked me to marry him, & and I said, “I don’t know” (in my head.) 🤦🏻‍♀️ I quickly followed with an audible Yes. 💍 That’s right!! I knew this was the man God wanted me to marry - the one He had created specifically for me - and I still struggled in that beautiful moment. When he was on one knee. When he said amazing, heartfelt things that neither of us can remember. 😆 I know he is reading this and shaking his head because my indecision was par for the course back then. Even when he went to get my parents’ blessing before he proposed, my dad said, “Well, what do you think she’s gonna say?” 😂🥴 We’ve been married 9 years and have made 3 babies so everything obviously worked out, so DON’T FEEL BAD FOR HIM!! 🤣

We celebrated long into the night with family and friends & I woke up the next morning feeling *slightly* hungover and yet so, so happy. There was such a peace, a finality of sorts of knowing I now had someone in my corner forever. Someone who would always be FOR me. And that was, and still is, the best feeling in the world.

My mom turned 70 right around the 10 year anniversary of our engagement, so we took my parents back to the same restaurant we celebrated at years ago. It was so much fun to be there again! I have so much gratitude for all we’ve experienced since then and even more excitement for what’s to come.