...IN ANTICIPATION OF ALL THAT IS TO COME...

I was in love... with The Lady... After years of nurturing a hidden, tender flame of love, it was the appointed time to reveal my secret flame and propose... I enlisted two friends (Walter & Natalie) to invite The Lady to dinner, and I would come later and reveal my secret. Walter and I talked about the logistics. He suggested arriving after dinner (in case she said no or needed time to think). I was feeling confident and I wanted the time to talk to her over dinner. After an interesting Sunday (inclusive of an unexpected hour’s drive home and back to change clothes), the time for dinner was near. As the trio got seated and had appetizers, I drove (and drove... and drove) around the block as planned; awaiting Walter's text so that I could park and make my entrance. After a "long but brief" wait, all was set. After talking to Walter briefly at the entrance, it was time to enter; my nervousness morphed into a quiet confidence. After taking my seat and getting composed, I was ready. I walked over to their table and asked The Lady if we could talk privately. The Lady and I walked back to my table; and like a poet inspired, I declared my love for her. I asked her to marry me... as I listened intently, she accepted. And as it turned out, she had a secret flame of love all her own... for me. Ever since, my released flames of love burn in anticipation of all that is to come...

THE SET UP WAS REAL! On September 10, 2017, my friend, partner, and first love asked me to be his wife. What I thought to be a fancy dinner date with THE OBAMAS ( aka Walter & Natalie), turned out to be the most amazingly perfect proposal... Just for me! Blown away every time I think about it. So, here's the story: Earlier that week Natalie invited me to dinner over text, writing, "the husband and I want to take you to one of our favorite fancy spots." My reaction? OVER THE MOON! A fancy night with The Obamas?! Oh yes! So, I plan out the evening glam. Hair, outfit, heels, the whole nine. I was prepared to shut the restaurant down! By the time Sunday rolls around, I'm in a blush nude tulle dress, high heels, and a ponytail. (Long story short, the "glam plans" went awry and I got engaged in a ponytail. I've since forgiven everyone for not allowing me to properly prepare myself for the moment). Walter & Natalie were throwing me clues the entire ride over. But the level of oblivion happening is asinine! Let's remember though, I'm still enamored to be on a dinner date with The OBAMAS! We pull up to the restaurant, check-in with the seating hostess, get seated, order the appetizers, and I start blabbering on and on. I'm telling Walter & Natalie how much I admire their marriage and what God is doing for them as a couple, etc., etc. ...and in walks Mr. Lawrence. After a BRIEF moment of confusion, I start to realize what has been going on: THE WHOLE THING WAS A SET UP! All the events of the day begin to make sense. Needless to say, I was feeling really silly (but also really excited)... At this point, he asks me to accompany him to his table. There on the table, amidst the candles, is a letter marked with my name. I open it and he begins to read the copy in his hands. Fully overwhelmed, I simply sit back and listen to him speak. He ends the letter by asking for my hand in marriage. Without a second thought, I give a simple, "Yes." ...and now... We're getting married!