Here We Santiago!

It's a springtime Wednesday evening, and Meagan begins the journey towards getting involved at First Baptist Church. She stumbles upon an opportunity for youth ministry and asks to talk to the person in charge. Lo and behold, Meagan meets Alberto, who happens to be the Youth Minister at the time. She begins to express interest in why she feels called to serve in this ministry. Alberto is stunned and excited. He begins to ask Meagan about her testimony; she shares and he begins to share his. After meeting Meagan and listening to her speak, Alberto knows there is something out of this world about her. Something so genuine and unique, of course she catches his eye. This is when he begins his quest for her heart...

Alberto was sweet, and of course I knew he liked me. After all, I'd ignored a message on Hinge from him months ago (#awkward.) So when he asked to go see a movie, I was intentional to be clear about our friendship. And just that. I drove myself, bought my own ticket, and even let him know that I was seeing someone else. But as we watched, I felt a natural ease and kinship with Berto that I'd been looking for. As the weeks progressed, he became a kind of guy "friend" I'd not yet experienced: eager to help fix my car, walk me out after Bible Study, invite me to church events, and buy my ice cream for an evening of chatting in his truck bed. I wasn't oblivious, but I just wasn't ready to commit. Until one night, Berto brought on the charm strong. He surprised me by taking me dancing- both pulling me out of my comfort zone and into his arms... Needless to say, that other guy no longer stood a chance.

Saturday, October 19th, 2019, has finally arrived! I’m going to ask the woman of my dreams, the one I’ve prayed for, to marry me. I’m a little nervous. How can you not be when there’s possibility of her saying “no.” Or things not going as planned. Or the possibility of a storm coming today. Oh yes, there are a lot of nerves filling my mind this morning. As I start thinking about all of these possibilities, I get a text from MJ. She wants to have a quality time with quality coffee. The minute I respond to her text, there is a sudden rush of confidence. A confidence that drives out nerves; She wont say “no.” Things might not go as planned but they’ll still be great. A storms coming? So? Even through the storm I will ask this genuine, graceful, creative, God-fearing woman to marry me. Whatever it takes, she will see this ring. She will hear my words. She will celebrate tonight. Time passes by as we enjoy each other. And its time to start setting up. Luckily, she is going to a ladies night a great friend had planned specifically on this day to distract her from what I’m doing. Before I left, I mentioned I’m going hang out with a buddy of mine. I lied. Little did she know this whole day is already planned out. She isn’t expecting much, yet. A while later she grew suspicious, asking for proof about where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing. As the day progressed, everything is set up but things aren’t going as planned. She stayed at our friends house. So I go over, pick her up and head to “dinner.” She’s blindfolded and no longer has sense of direction. As the blindfold falls from her face, she sees lights, hears music, smells her favorite candle, holds my hand, and tastes the sweetness of the scene around her. I sit her down to wash her feet as I unfold John 13 for her. She stands up and I confess my whole heart to her. I get down on one knee, show her the ring of her dreams, and ask her “will you marry me?” She says “yes!” Let the celebration begin…

It was the perfect lazy day and I had a mind to cancel all of my plans. "Should I really go to the party tonight?" I asked Berto while lounging on the couch. He convinced me, nonchalantly as ever, that yes, I should. My friend Hazel had been planning a Pumpkin Painting Party to kick off the fall season, and as I arrived she handed me a pair of long, orange-and-black striped socks. On they went (so festive!) and the crafting and mingling began. I was expecting to see my friend Amanda- after all, Berto had said he would be watching football with her husband- and was suspicious immediately upon hearing that she was "sick." I texted Berto: "Send me a picture of you and Chris," my mind already racing. The girls surrounding assured me that I was being crazy and that I had no need for suspicion, but my intuition was telling a different story. Sure enough, towards the end of the party, Berto was suddenly at the door. No warning whatsoever, and he looked GOOD. But where were my socks?? I searched to no avail, and was whisked away from the scene, still rocking the orange and black. Adrenaline pulsed quick through my veins as I got in the truck and was blindfolded. I had no idea where we were going, but I was positively sure of what would be happening. Disoriented and in a slight panic, I pulled my knee-high socks down into my boots before stepping out onto a cobblestone pavement. A few guided steps later, and the blindfold was removed to reveal a beautifully-lit gazebo complete with pink flower petals, God's Word, fairy lights, and a sparkly pink candle in my favorite scent. To be honest, I don't fully remember the rest. I do recall laughing instead of crying, staring at him in disbelief, and inappropriately chugging the awaiting champagne. My memory becomes crisper after I wear the ring, hug dear friends (who had been hiding in the bushes!), and hear the faint glow of Ben Rector's "Extraordinary Magic" which perfectly encapsulated the newfound thrill of being Berto's bride.