You dream and wonder about what it might feel like one day. Being completely surprised, seeing your man kneeling down getting ready to ask you to spend the rest of your life with him, being unbelievably happy. But when it actually happens, when it actually HAPPENED there were truly no words- and THAT is an indescribable feeling (literally ;) ). After 3 1/2 years of dating, 1 1/2 of those being long distance, and then dreaming for an engagement for a few months... I was still completely surprised when it happened. And I mean completely, people!!! This may be a tad long, but it was magical.

It was my 22nd birthday, and it was on a Monday so Ry had decided that he would take me out for a birthday dinner just the 2 of us that night after work. That weekend we had celebrated by a day out & then a dinner at our best friend's house. If you know me, you know that I LOVE to celebrate and so when Monday actually came I was one little ball of giddy-ness (oh, it's a word) :). Ry was a little more excited for dinner than usual, and he told me I needed to be ready by 6:10 for dinner reservations at 6:30. The weekend had been a little rough despite the celebrations, and knowing it was my birthday I was pretty certain that he wouldn't dare propose to me THIS weekend! I went home after work > took a shower > and started trying on different dresses with my momma there on the bed! I even tried on a white lacy dress and thought "This isn't who I want to be tonight" hahahaha, it was too cutesy and I was wanting something more romantic. I tried on dress I hadn't worn in forever, and it was perfect. Meanwhile, since I was running a little late, Ryan was in my living room calmly dancing to music I had playing. I came out, he had brought me a dozen roses, we took a picture and headed off! :)

We went to Ciao, an Italian restaurant downtown by our Marina that I'd been wanting to try, and it was absolutely sweet and DELICIOUS. He had said "We will come back out after dinner, get your birthday bag and take a walk"- sounds perfect to me!!!! So we finished dinner, grabbed my birthday bag & started walking and he even said "I know when the Sun is setting, so we will make it in time, at 8:12pm". We reached the marina, found a bench facing the water and sat for a bit relaxing. I leaned my head on his shoulder & said, "This is what I wanted, a relaxing evening with you". ;)

He reached in the bag and gave me one birthday gift & then after a little while told me to close my eyes, and placed a HUGE leather book in my hand. THE BOOK. I knew he had been working on some project with scrapbook paper so I asked "Is this the project?!" He said "mhmmm", and I opened it up and started looking at it. It was an entire book with pictures & sayings from our very first date until now. Each page full of beautiful memories, and hilarious moments. Half way through the book I thought, "This is a pretty hefty gift for just a birthday!" and then I flipped to a page that quoted 'I have found the one whom my soul loves' and I thought YOU DON'T JUST QUOTE THIS VERSE ON A NORMAL DAY- What is happening!?!?".

I kept flipping and on the very last page was a timehop picture of my promise ring (years ago) and one of my engagement ring (now) with a little piece of gold tape over it!!! I started freaking and said "Can I take the tape off!?!", and he said "not yet", in which our friend came out playing the guitar. Ryan reached in the bag for lyrics and started singing the most beautiful song that he had written just for that moment. I barely heard any lyrics, my eyes and heart were locked completely on him. He sang the entire song, and the last lyric was "Will you Marry Me" but I wasn't about to say yes, I knew there was more.

Then Ry said he wanted to pray for me, but right before he leaned in and asked "how ya doing, are you okay?", talk about the most caring man. I said I was nervous, and "is this real?!" and he proceeded to pray for me.. who knows what he prayed hahah I was so giddy and in disbelief! After he prayed he told me to stand up, and said "take a look around, see who is here"- my mom, and a few of our friends. He wanted me to really experience each moment. With complete calmness and the sweetest smile...he knelt down on one knee, said I love you Lanissa, asked me to marry him and I SAID YES!! <3 :)

We cried, we laughed, I squealed and hugged everyone around, we took pictures and THEN Ryan says, "Let's walk down- there are tons more people waiting for us!!!!". We walk down to a private part of the Marina with gazebos surrounding and tons of our friends are there waiting for us with deserts & sparking cider, balloons, corn hole and 3 trunks lined up with 3 cardboards that said 'Happy Birthday Lanissa'. When we walked up they flipped them & they said 'SHE SAID YES!'. It was a dream. More than a dream- reality!

We celebrated with everyone, Ryan prayed over everyone, and then we went over to our best friend's house for a more intimate party afterward. GUYS!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!?! When I say I had never been more giddy that night & the next few days... I mean it. It was the most magical night, with the most captivating man... and I was taken by complete surprise. He was so calm, everything was so beautiful... and I am without a doubt the HAPPIEST woman alive!

I GET TO MARRY the most wonderful man, a man I have always said I am honored that God would let me love. And as Ryan said that night, "You aren't going to wake up from this one" <3. That's right, I'm not.

Join our journey, stick around for some awesome 'Spoon' hashtags and our engagement video below and a whole lot of love, love, love.

Our Proposal Video!!!

WE'RE ENGAGED,

L