The beginning....

When I decided to start this 365 Project, it was because I thought the idea of taking a picture everyday for a year would be fun. My friend, Kelsey, who introduced the idea of the challenge to me in the first place, mentioned that it would also be a neat way of documenting my relationship (Austin and I were talking about marriage at that point) and remembering our "first year" (engagement through first months of married life). What a neat idea! Kelsey is creative and thoughful like that.

And so, on Saturday May 1st, I had my camera in tow when Austin and I went to Capen/Grindstone park to "tromp around in the woods". The original plan was to take my dogs with us, but my friend, Jordan texted earlier in the day and offered to take them to the park that morning before the rain hit. So, it was an unusual trip to the dog park, but in my excitement to take pictures for my new project, I dismissed any curiosity over Austin wanting to go to the dog park dogless.

Capen park has been one of my favorite places in Columbia for a long time. When I got my dog, Mya in 2008, I discovered parts of the park that I didn't know existed...trails that wound up into the woods to spots on the cliffs overlooking the creek. It is one such area that I call "my spot" in the woods, a place where I often go to think, reflect, pray...I have always found it easier to feel the presense of God in His creation and so I find that talking to Him out on the cliffs in the woods often times seems more natural and genuine.

Austin and I hiked through the woods and found ourselves at "my spot". While I took pictures, he excused himself to go pee (typical man). When he returned, I noticed he had a piece of paper in his hand. He asked me to come sit by him on a rock..he had an email that he wanted to read to me, one that he had sent to his closest friends a few weeks prior. In the email he told his friends that he had decided that I was the girl he wanted to marry and that he had put money down on a ring, although he didn't know when he was going to "pop the question". The email went on to describe how Austin had come to this decision, why he felt I was the right woman for him and the things about "us" that he valued. After reading the email, Austin knelt in front of me, on one knee and promised me two things. First, he would always love God and seek His counsel through our marriage, seeking His wisdom and understanding. Secondly, he promised to always love me and to do his best to protect, honor, and cherish me for the rest of his life. Then, he took a ring out of his pocket and told me that if I accepted the ring, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, fulfilling his promises.

Teary eyed and overjoyed, I said "yes!" and tackled him onto the ground :) Then, Austin retreived a backpack that his brother, Adam, had dropped off earlier and had hidden in the brush (although hadn't hidden very well b/c I saw it when we first arrived and mistook it for a trashbag. I had made the comment to Austin about how rude some people were to throw their trash in the woods...:)). In the backpack was a blanket for us to sit on, a bottle of wine and 2 glasses, a rose for me, and a Bud Select for Austin :). The picture I chose to post for my May 1st picture (although I am getting it posted a bit late) is of my ring, with the rose, and the blue rubber band Austin gave me after he proposed (the blue rubber band is kind of "our thing" . He gave me one when we first started dating. I put it on my wrist (since he always has one on his) and never took it off. When it broke, I was so sad, so he brought me a new one...I am now on my 4th blue rubber band :)).

So, Austin set up our post-proposal picnic and we enjoyed some time talking, planning, and finally ending in prayer before we headed out of the park to Steak Night. As we were walking out of the woods, the rain started to fall. I remember my mom telling me once that rain on your wedding day is supposed to be a good omen, a washing away of the past so you start your future as a couple together with a fresh slate. I like to think it applies to engagements as well :)

When we arrived at his parents house for dinner, all of my family and friends were there to greet me and celebrate with us (another surprise :)). It was an amazing night having our families and friends together celebrating. It is in moments like that that I know I am truly blessed more than I deserve. God is so good.