David and I are ENGAGED!!!!!!!!

This story that I want to tell now... It is fresh in my mind, and many people have asked how it happened, where, when, how, how, how and I want to answer them in full. But it will take some time. I hope this story finds you all well....

I specifically remember a summer night when I was about 15 or so and I was trying to fall asleep. I began to pray. This prayer was not about a good night's rest or or for anything else but this: a prayer for my future wife. I was aware that the girl I was going to marry was out there and I prayed that the Lord would prepare her for me. For myself, I prayed that I would become the man that she deserved.

Well I tried my hardest to become a man suitable for a young woman. I found great personal gain in setting high standards for myself and virtues to make myself worthy for a young woman of the same. For a long time, as my close friends around me began to enter the married life, I felt further than ever from finding love. I felt as if I was the world's greatest boyfriend stuck as the world's greatest friend. And then, last year, well....

It started with a smile.

I was in class and I made a joke and as the class laughed I heard a different laugh. A soft laugh. I turned around and directly diagonal to me was Jenny Brown, smiling at me. I said to myself, "That's her. That's the girl I'm going to marry."

It was quite the love story. Never before did I believe in love at first sight. I thought it was fable, mythical, not real. But it was.

We weren't quite dating yet and I wanted to introduce Jenny to my sister and brother in law. I took her to Patti's house for the day and we hung out. We had finished dinner and Patti had gone upstairs leaving Jenny and I watching television by ourselves. I noticed Jenny had been looking at the kitchen so I asked her what she was thinking about.

"Whatya thinking about?"

She looked away from the kitchen at me.

"David, would you ever dance with me in the kitchen?"

Her look was so hopeful. It was as if it was a huge request with an expectation that I would decline the offer. I smiled at her.

"Of course!"

And I meant that.

"How come you ask?"

"Well, my daddy says I can't marry a man who won't dance with me in the kitchen."

"I would dance with you anywhere Jenny Brown."

We were leaving Patti and Brett's house and a song came on in the car. "Ready" by The Starting Line. I had always loved that song and at that moment I knew. I knew I was about to do something that would change both of our lives forever. And I don't mean this lightly.

It was dark outside. It had just begun to rain. I turned onto a side road next to a school. There was a row of streetlights ahead of us. I looked at her and smiled.

I put the car in park but I left it running. I rolled down both of the windows and turned the music up. Jenny looked at me with confusion. I opened my door and got out. As I shut it i leaned in through the window and told her to get out of car. She asked why as she got out. I met her around the front of the car and took her hand.

There directly under the streetlight as the night time rain fell against our faces and the music coming out of the car, we danced. As I sang the words of the song to her, I spoke softly into her ear.

"See Jenny? I told you I'd dance with you anywhere."

And right there we knew, we really knew this love was a God thing. Perfect I'd say. And I would still agree to that.

A year later. Monday. No holiday, no anniversary.

Jenny had a huge day of meetings. She wasn't able to even see me until 10pm that evening. Now I love surprising her. I have been known to take her on secret dates or bring her fun little treats. So when she got in my car and I had a blindfold, she was surprised but hardly thought it was anything beyond a normal cute event for us.

But after that blindfold went on her. I didn't talk at all. I told her no talking. She reclined and played along. I wanted the anticipation to build for her. It was a 30 minute drive. Silence. Which is hard for the both of us.

I parked the car.

It was still running.

She was still blindfolded. The first thing she heard was "Ready." She smiled. I rolled down the windows and got out of the car. I escorted her out of the car and took off the blindfold.

We were at the same spot. It was almost the same exact weather. We started to dance. The first verse was ending.

"You had a long day, huh Jenny."

"Yes, it was rough."

I held her close as we danced.

"I wanted to surprise you with this."

"It's perfect."

Second verse of the song was still singing as we danced. I sang some of the words and hugged her.

The big build up in the song began.

I stopped dancing with her and she looked a little confused. I just looked at her.

I reached behind in my back pocket.

I got down on one knee.

Jenny thought I was kidding and waited for me to move.

I didn't.

She saw the ring box in my hands. Her hands went to her face in a sort of Home Alone fashion and stepped back.

"Come here." I said smiling.

She stepped closer. I spoke.

"Jenny, I've been waiting my whole life to do this."

I had to look away to keep my composure. I looked back up at her and smiled.

"You are my best friend, and I love you so much."

Lump in the throat. Keep it together.

"You....you are perfect. So....Will you marry me Jennifer Rose Brown?

Before those words even ended she was nodding and smiling.

"YES YES YES OH MY GOODNESS YES!!!!!!"

I got up and she was shaking.

"Well put it on." I laughed.

There, under the streetlight. Everything disappeared. The music was a hum. The headlights were a blur. The cold air seemed to move past us respectfully, avoiding ruining our moment.

And for the first and only time I ever would, I placed that beautiful engagement ring upon her and it was us.

It was just Jenny Brown and David Green, now engaged.

So that is the story. And I'm proud to tell it.

And to think 9 years ago I'd been praying for that very moment....

The Rest is History.


David John Inglis Green