From LDR to LDE(ngaged!)

It’s official Alex and I are engaged! Even though he popped the big question over three months ago, I still feel like I’m floating on a cloud. In January, I went to go visit him in Chicago towards the end of my winter vacation. In many ways it was just like any other trip. We were eagerly awaiting my visit, after a couple months of not seeing each other. Like always, I over-packed, making sure I had twice as many warm, yet cute clothes to change into. Little did I know, this visit would change the rest of our lives!

It was Friday, January 8^th, and I had already been in Chicago for four days. That night Alex asked me to wear a dress. Although most locals found the 40 degree weather comforting, I’m an LA girl at heart and was absolutely freezing! But I put on my big girl tights and coat, and managed to wear a dress.

He took me to an upscale French restaurant, “La Petite Folie,” on the South Side of Chicago. I ordered a rack of lamb with curried spices, and it was oh so delicious! While we were eating it seemed like something was on his mind, but I just dismissed it.  After dinner, he told me that we were going to his church for a ‘dessert night.’ As we pulled up to the church and entered into the main sanctuary all the lights were off, he smiled and said suspiciously, ‘I wonder what’s going on in here.’ We entered the main sanctuary and this is what I saw…

My heart dropped. I couldn’t believe that this moment was actually happening. I knew that he was proposing to me. I looked around as he held my hand and walked me to a chair facing the stage. There were candles that lined the center aisle and a slideshow of pictures of us displaying behind the center stage. I recognized his friends on stage playing softly the guitar, drums, and violin. He joined them on stage and began to sing, ‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran. I was grinning from ear-to-ear. This was the moment I had always dreamed about, in so many ways, since I was a little girl, except this moment was breathtakingly perfect. I was filled with so much joy I never wanted the moment to end.

Towards the end of the song, he got off the stage, came up to me, and we slowly started to dance. I could tell he was about to ask me to marry him, and my heart was racing as he got down on one knee.

All I could think and say was, ‘YES!!!!’

His friends cheered! Once the lights came on, I walked around the room, hugged, and thanked each of them for being a part of our special moment. As I reached to hug another person, my sister and best friend popped out and hugged me. I shrieked out of disbelief that they were actually there! They secretly flew in from Los Angeles just to witness the proposal and celebrate with us afterwards. What a SURPRISE! That was the cherry on top of everything.

I couldn’t have asked for a more romantic proposal.

What’s next for Us?

We are getting married On July 23, 2016 in Corona, CA. And ain’t no way we doin’ long distance married! We will be closing the distance right after the wedding. I am moving to Chicago and am currently applying for teaching positions out there. So much transition, so much change, I can’t wait to start this journey together with the love of my life!

Feel free to share the future plans you and your boo have. If you’re engaged, please share tips on how to manage an LDE!

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As always, thanks for reading!

Inspired by:Visits