03.30.2024

Saturday, January 7th was planned like our typical Saturdays are - adorned with plans. The most important plan of the day, though, was a double date with Cody's aunt and uncle (Corey and Crissy Sharpe). This night had been planned for a while due to our busy schedules. The four of us were to eat at The Little Village in downtown Baton Rouge. The night before our "double date" I was trying to hurriedly pick out a dress for the date because I knew my Saturday was busy. I tried on dresses for my mom and she was being a little more opinionated than she typically is, but I did not suspect a thing. We settled on the green dress that I end up wearing to get engaged. I was telling my family members how excited I was for the Little Village bread. Most of them responded with, "Their bread is really good, would you be able to bring me some back if y'all have any extra". I was preparing to order three loaves of bread to bring home to my family members. Little did I know, Cody had other plans. On the morning of January 7th, I was preparing for an online exam. I took the exam shortly before we were supposed to leave for our date. I showed up late to Cody's house wearing that green dress and tennis shoes, makeup bags in hand. While getting ready, I got a small stain on my dress and urgently wanted to change. I went to ask Cody's family if they could notice the stain and they assured me I should stay in what I was wearing. Eventually, I was ready to head to meet Corey and Crissy to ride to our double date. They were ready to go when we got there, and we arrived to the downtown parking lot with a few minutes to spare. After figuring out the parking situation, Crissy suggested we head to the silver structure on the river to take a few pictures really quick. So, the four of us began our walk to take pictures and I began situating my hair for the picture, as usual. We were at the spot Crissy suggested for the picture and I glanced away for a brief second to finish smoothing my hair. When I turned around, I saw Cody down on one knee looking at me with a perfect smile. There has never been any surprise as great as this one. After a sweet message, Cody said, "Will you marry me?" I was too stunned to speak, but I said, "YES!" After Cody placed my ring on my finger, all I could do was hug him as I was still trembling of shock! He told me to look below us. To make the night even better, all of our family got to witness the proposal and celebrate with us. "Will you marry me" was projected onto the ground with light and our family was gleaming up at us. Our family came up from their observation area on the river bank to embrace us and celebrate with a dinner after at Capital City Grill. I got to ask everyone why they didn't attend the "plans" they told me they were occupied with that night. Jacob was supposed to be at a baseball game (that he asked me to join him at), Cody's parents were supposed to be eating at a restaurant, my dad was supposed to be singing karaoke, but everyone knew about Cody's secret plan. The day was intricately planned and every last detail was a surprise. I always like to say that people can really tell I was surprised because I still had an online quiz to take when I got home. What a perfect start to such a special season of life.