Announcing... An Engagement!

Are you ready for one of the most exciting posts ever published on this blog? :) (Note: the pictures are indeed running over on purpose for this one as I thought you'd all like to see them a wee bit better. ;))

To make a very long story (somewhat) shorter, it all started back awhile ago when a certain young man from across the country entered my life. We first met through our pastors as we attend sister churches in the same denomination.

And while I’m not here to argue for love at first sight, I can thoroughly vouch for a certain ‘click’ happening upon the occasion of the very first conversation. ;) From those first initial, friendly conversations, we easily proceeded into a thoughtful, careful, thoroughly intentional courtship. 

It all culminated exactly one week ago today in a single question out in the pasture and then a beautifully fairytale-ish diamond ring!

(9/16 Edit: you can also read my post HERE for an update on the ring topic. ;))

How do you go about encapsulating the heritage of previous generations, two entire life times, and the wondrous workings of providence into any sort of semi-adequate summary? The goodness of God is immense and His ways deep and glorious past finding out.

So much was discussed throughout the courtship that it runs to multiple pages (yes, I kept a list! ;)), but very definitely, the first thing we wanted to make sure of was doctrinal agreement and unity. That covered, the conversations proceeded to life vision things: lifestyle, life choices, the raising of children, and on and on. Here we found more things in common -- things I'd dreamed of finding, but then begun to wonder if I ever would... Actually finding them true was (and still is) stunning.

And there are all the blessings that make it actually 'work.' We get what one another is thinking and saying. He makes me laugh. And I make him laugh.

Incidentally, the first love we ever found in common was our love for mountains and wide spreading places -- space running out to the sky, miles upon miles upon miles of it.

He  loves history. All of it. WWII… ancient history… medieval history… eastern European history… pirates… early American history…

He loves the American west and knows tons (and I mean tons) of good idioms and quirky, crazy, wild, marvelous happenings. (I’m starting to more thoroughly understand why – providentially – I hadn’t yet finished David’s Shoulders. It's going to be so much better. :))

He wants me to write.

Believe it or not, age-wise we’re very similar to Barney and Valancy in Montgomery’s Blue Castle.

Studying and falling in love with his character and convictions and personality, I (at some point, of course) had to start likening him to certain Austen heroes and (believe me, I’m not making this up) he’s really and truly startlingly like Mr. Knightley.

Speaking of Mr. Knightley, he actually had a nodding acquaintance with JA and N&S(!) years before we ever met!

On  the subject of N&S, he shares a given name with a certain well esteemed hero… John… Jehovah has been gracious.

He loves Tolstoy’s story of War and Peace and I love Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment.

Serious minded, entrepreneurial, and creative, he’s a business owner who's passionate about what he does.

Gentle, strong, and generous, he’s a leader living by his convictions, walking in diligence and faithfulness before his God and Savior.

And I'm now honored to be becoming his wife in five short months.

Our Lord is so gracious… Delighting in giving good and rich gifts to His people with an abundance running up and pouring over!

“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast. 

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life…” Psalm 36:5-9

Blessings to each one of you dear friends!

(P. S. And have no fear, I'm marrying a story lover and moving west across country, so I have no intention of forgetting the blog anytime soon. ;D There are hundreds of wonderful conversations yet to be shared on this grand new adventure!!)