Who's My Little Love??

Happy Birthday Chail! Chail turned ONE on Saturday! I've been thinking about the first year of his life and all the ways that God has used him in mine. I'll never forget the first time I met him. He was the tiniest little thing. He had on tiny overalls, Trisha was feeding him, handed him to me, and I got the biggest tears in my eyes. Then Chail threw up on me. =) That day changed my life forever. It's crazy to think back on moving here to take care of this little guy. I've never experienced the kind of love I have for my nephew before. He brings so much joy, happiness, and huge smiles into my day like nothing else can. He makes me laugh, cry, act silly, and do disgusting things I never thought I'd do.
He's the first face first face I see almost every morning. He crawls into my room screaming his happy baby screams and smiling so huge you'd think I was the most famous person on the planet. He loves to bury his face in my comforter, and roll around in the blankets. He laughs so hard when I tickle his tummy and say, "Who's turning 1?!"
This sweet baby is my Little Love. I'm am the luckiest Auntie in the world!
Happy Birthday, Chail!

YES!

I've been accused of dragging out our engagement story to try to rope people in, which is a great idea, but really that's not my intention! In actuality, I am always nervous to post a blog that is too long because I find that readers lose interest! And because our story is so long, I didn't want to post the whole story at once! The story is incredibly sacred to me and I never want to cheapen it. I already feel like it loses it's value when I try to put it into my own feeble words.

The man that has won my heart and captured my love is beyond anything I could ever even begin to post on a lame blog! BUT he deserves for his wonderful proposal story to be completed! =)

The Rose Quest Venture moved on to his townhouse where we have spent countless conversations, hilarious moments, many movie nights, multiple dinners, breakfasts and lunches, and have delved into the deepest places of our hearts together. There were several more roses, notes, and riddles posted in these special places all around his home. But the hunt only got more exciting from there!

Our next destination carried us to one of our most meaningful date spots. Drum roll please, none other then Potbelly's! This was the restaurant where we shared 2 very sweet meals together, one time following the weekend we started to truly fall in love with each other. When we arrived at Potbelly's that night, Chuck told me to look for something "familiar". As I passed each table, I finally looked to my left and saw a good friend of Chuck's sitting at a booth, grinning from ear to ear, holding another red rose for me. We sat, chatted, and enjoyed each other's company while discussing the next riddle...

From there we moved on to a parking lot! I was directed to follow the "glow-in-the-dark" arrows that he spent two hours painting! And that was just the arrows! As we strolled along, hand-in-hand, we came around the corner and the site of the beautiful lake came into view. Since it was night, the lit up fountains were shinning beautifully in the center. It was such a romantic, and peaceful walk.

As we moved along, two more lights came into view. There was a bench facing the lake, with the bright fountains in full view, and a little tiki torch was lit on each side of the bench. There, on top of the bench, was Rose #11 and my last riddle. I was then instructed to look UNDER the bench where my final rose was sitting atop one last special gift...or so I thought! A wide, flat box that I know all too well was waiting just for me! Inside was a massive chocolate chip cookie cake that read, "I love you Abby"! I couldn't be happier! My favorite dessert in all the world! AHHH!!

BUT, I have to admit at this point I was a bit disappointed. After all THAT and no ring? I tried to keep positive and upbeat, but inside I was shocked. I had been hoping all night that he was going to pop The Question. Well, right at that moment Chuck stood up to point out something and when I turned back around, there he was, kneeling in front of me.

All of the sudden, he opened a tiny box and this bright light came blazing forth to reveal the most beautiful, stunning and perfect diamond ring I have ever seen. And that's when I heard the 4 words that have changed my life forevermore,


"Will you marry me?"

Yes, yes, and YES!!!