One Year Ago....

Exactly one year ago Jared and I became engaged! Since my handsome husband proposed with the best proposal known to man, I thought I would reminisce by sharing our story! We hope you enjoy!!!

April 30, 2008

At 10:30 am, I received a page from the front desk which read: “Rachel, could you come to the desk ASAP, I have a package for you. Thanks.” An agonizing hour later, I was finally able to break away to go retrieve my package; which contained a scroll and a beautiful corsage.

Scroll #1
To Thee, my love, these flowers commend.
In which a model of thyself I send.
That bouquet precious is, the rose is true.
As true, and then how much more precious you;
But this, as all things else, wastes with wearing,
Without haste go home to start preparing.
It is a rendezvous I seek with a true princess
I anticipate tonight I will experience success.

The ladies at work were really excited, as was I. We spent the whole afternoon trying to figure out what Jared might have planned. We finally concluded that since there were 4 roses in the corsage, and May 1 was our 4 month anniversary, that the event would be to celebrate our 4 months of dating.

So, at this point I had a corsage, but had no idea about any other details. As I was leaving work, I texted Jared letting him know I was on my way home and asked about the attire for the evening. Very uncharacteristically, he didn't text me back (until a little later when he knew I would already be at home!).

When I got home, I found a beautiful princess dress spread out on my bed and the second scroll.

Scroll #2
My lady's presence makes my heart's loud pulse sound
Terry not long to slip into your gown;
I have summoned a carriage you soon will see.
I plead, bring together my princess and me.
When six strikes from the clock you will hear
Take heed to precede your journey my dear.

My first thought was, "Jared is good!" Which of course, he is! As I was getting ready, Jared did text me back letting me know that all I needed to do was follow the instructions given and I would be fine. And that he couldn't wait to see me!

I was ready and waiting at 6, just as my instructions stated. But I was totally expecting Jared to be at the door. So when I answered and saw two people I had never met, I was a little taken aback. But my Fairy Godmother (aka Aunt Paula) quickly introduced herself and said her job was to help me throughout the evening. She was absolutely wonderful and filled me in on her extensive career as a Fairy Godmother, she has been at it for several hundred years! My chauffeur was very helpful as well, he even put my corsage on for me. As we stepped out of my house, I was met with my carriage- a beautiful white limousine. I really wasn’t expecting that at all and kept saying wow over and over again! Before leaving my house, Tommy the Chauffeur presented me with the third scroll.

Scroll #3

Inform the chauffeur the five note Cinema you seek

As the film previous viewed so tender and meek

Thy sweet loved remember such wealth brings,

Such as that of his cherished jewels to the King.

For like a treasured diamond thou are to me

This purpose request, the bureaucrat awareness unto thee.

This scroll took me to a movie theater that Jared and I have frequented. As my carriage pulled up, the Butler (aka Uncle Jim) stepped out and met me at my door. He helped me out of the car and then presented me with my jewelry - a blue necklace and blue earrings to match my dress! The Butler helped get my necklace on and presented the next scroll as he helped me back into my carriage. He really was a wonderful butler! He even told me how beautiful I looked!

Scroll #4

Depart swiftly thy Chauffeur ought to be enlighten

Tis' Madame Marrs the physician of science thy mission

Where at school I am of education clear

Shoes to clad thy feet will find thee there

When I count the clock that tells the time

Thoughts of thee behold my inquisitive mind.

This scroll led me to IUPUI campus and Dr. Marrs (one of Jared’s professors). I met her the night that I attended Jared's lab. She is just fantastic and was so excited to give me my shoes! She also gave me a big hug and my next scroll before I left her office.

Scroll #5
Ask ye my princess thou Chauffeur to bring,
Thy place we worship our Heavenly King.
Whom shall ye inquire, but the father who serves
My true princess now known to all who observe
I yearn to behold thy majestic sweeting
Journeys end in lovers meeting.

The scroll from Dr. Marrs led me to the church and President Malone. President Malone had my princess tiara- and tried valiantly to put it on for me. He also had the sixth and last scroll for me!

Scroll #6:
What's to come is still unsure
Till journeys end lovers can endure
Princess, notify thy Chauffeur proceed to thy castle.
Thy route knows he it shalt not be a hassle.
In thy honor a banquet held shall be
Where you will find your prince on bended knee.

As I read this scroll in President Malone's office, I finally started thinking that Jared might just be proposing! But then I told myself not to think that, just in case he wasn't, I didn't want to be disappointed. But as we were riding in the carriage to the castle, I thought that he would have to be proposing, because he would have a really hard time topping this!

When my carriage arrived at the castle, I was met by the Butler again. He escorted me up to the third floor to meet my Prince. Jared was dressed in full King attire and looked so awesome. And I was so excited to finally join him on my adventure. After Jared greeted me at the top of his landing, he escorted me down the hall and through a fantastic stone-looking cardboard archway with ivy trim. (Thanks AJ and Shantelle for painting cardboard for two weeks!!!) We then stepped into Jared’s apartment, which had been transformed into a castle, complete with a stone balcony! I really did feel like a princess in a fairy tale!

Jared seated me at the table on the balcony, retrieved a white pillow holding a Queen’s crown, and knelt before me on one knee. As part of his proposal, he asked if I would be his Queen and marry him! 

As Jared finished his wonderful speech, he pulled the ring box out of the pillow. After I had said yes (which I did not hesitate to say!), Jared slipped the most fantastic ring onto my finger. Then he replaced my Princess tiara with my Queen’s crown. Needless to say, it was the most perfect proposal!