Leslie: The weekend of July 24, I had planned on going home for my Dad’s birthday, but Garret asked if we could stay in town Friday night so that we could have a date night. At first I was a little stubborn about it, but I finally changed my mind, and we planned on going out to eat and then taking a walk around campus. I thought it was just a normal, fun, relaxed date night – I had no idea what he had up his sleeve!
Garret: First, a little back story. For the two weeks previous to the 24th, I had been driving all over the place, sneaking out of town to have the official, “Can I marry your daughter talk” with her dad, buying the ring and taking care of all sorts of other things. I had to figure out a way to get her to stay in town, and it was really stressing me out. Finally, with the help of our close friends she agreed to stay for a supposed date night. Friday night came up and I was so excited. I had never been more confident and nervous about something in my life. We went out to dinner after work and had some good Mexican food and an ice cold Shiner. After dinner we took a walk along our favorite areas of campus, and we ended up at Rudder Tower on our favorite balcony. We sat there for a few minutes before I said, “I need to ask you something.” I pointed to her True Love Waits rings, and said “I’m going to need those.” I hit one knee and said “Will you marry me?” and she said…
Leslie: “SHUT UP! REALLY!?!” – and then “YES!!!!”
I was COMPLETELY SURPRISED! I knew it was for real, and I was SO excited! But also, I was totally in shock! Garret did a great job at surprising me and I really had no idea it was going to happen so soon! After he slid a beautiful diamond ring on my finger, we enjoyed the moment for a while, and I tried to let it sink in that we really were engaged! Before we left the balcony, we prayed together, and that’s when it began to solidify in my mind – I’m really going to marry Garret Lee! God is good.
After that, Garret told me that both of our families, Kristi and Derek, and many of our friends were all waiting at my house for an engagement party. I was really excited about that, because I’d specifically asked Garret to orchestrate that if he could – and he did SO good! (And my wonderful roomies helped him out a lot!)
Everyone was waiting in the yard when we pulled up, and that was so much fun! We told everyone the story, took lots of pictures, and celebrated! All in all, it was a wonderful weekend.
Since graduation, there’s been lots of transitions. My days have consisted of work, time with Garret, discipleship, time with roomies, and working out. And of course Many trips home. Garret and I have gone home SIX times since graduation! For sure, I am enjoying the lack of homework, and every time I drive by Copy Corner I remember how wonderful it is to no longer have to go on late night treks there.
For a while now, I’ve felt like my heart is hardening. Too much pretending, too much just getting through things. But, God is faithful and last weekend I reached my breaking point in several areas and the heart defrosting began. Now I just need to keep pursuing it. God is reminding me that in Him, I really can have a soft heart and sensitive spirit. I’m slooowly beginning to again more readily see His provision and care, both in everyday things and big ones. For example, one day a few weeks ago, my bff Kristi texted me to say that she’d gotten a teaching job, and seeing God provide in a big way made me start tearing up, and that made me happy. I’ve missed being weepy!
On a lighter note, here are some of my new favorite things:
songs: Hero by Connersvine, Mercy and You will be Whole by Lindsey Kane (Seriously - check those out. a-mazing.)
food: Special K protein shakes, grapes,
blogs: Girl Talk, Card Observer, Pioneer Woman, Surviving the Stores, Smitten Kitchen
stuff: my Mary Englebreit tear-away calendar – because it makes me smile every morning when I get to see a cute new picture for the day.
Garret and I are doing well. We've gotten to stay in College Station and rest lately, and that's been really nice. He is still enjoying working at a local video production company. He's also pretty excited about how well the Texas Rangers are doing this year.
During the month of June, I participated in my first camp at Cliff Latham’s Adventure Boot Camp for Women, and it was really great to have accountability and enthusiasm from friends and trainers to help me take better care of myself – and challenge myself! Even though waking up at 5 a.m. (usually actually about 5:17) was not very enjoyable, it’s been so much fun to feel like an athlete again. As I transitioned from college life where I walk to campus and class every day, to a 8-5 desk job, I wanted BC to be a real catalyst for positive change, and I think I’ve achieved that. I’m probably not going to do another camp for a while (for money and time reasons), but I’m trying to keep working hard on my own. Feel free to keep me accountable on that, because it’s definitely harder on my own. I really love walking and running around my neighborhood, so that is extra incentive.
That reminds me – lately I’ve been realizing how much I LOVE our neighborhood! I’ve always loved looking at old houses, and I’m so thankful for that going on 3 years now God has placed me in a wonderful house with wonderful girls, in a quirky/old/historical neighborhood. One of my new favorite diversions is taking long walks/jogs down little winding lanes I haven’t yet traversed. There are so many adorable houses, random woods, and quirky garden-jungles around here. It’s fun exploring :)
This story reminds me to do two things:
1 - reach for Jesus
2 - be brave... Jesus does not change. He is the same compassionate Savior today. He is a Restorer. And this story encourages me to understand that at the times where I feel like He feels miles away and I feel lonely and hopeless, that perhaps I need to be brave and reach for Him in honest prayer. Even in the midst of my fear and shame.
Other people may fail me. Other people may take advantage, or mock, or be completely apathetic. I may fail myself. Not Jesus. He will not despise us when we reach out for Him.
He calls us daughters.
Me, with my birthday flowers from Mom, leis from the roomies, and silliness from Maggie ;)
