I decided to write in third person because I thought this would be a little easier... Ryan and I truly appreciate all your warm wishes and please do keep in touch with us! Our email address is stacyt.ryanl@gmail.com and will keep you guys posted in terms of our wedding date.

ENGAGEMENT STORY (Nov. 17th, 2007)

 

Waking up Saturday, thinking this would be another nice day where she get to take a road trip with her boyfriend, Stacy jumped into the shower to start her day while Ryan waited for her to get ready in the house. They had wanted to visit his home church in College Station for a while now and have finally found a free weekend in both of their schedule to make the trip. Coming out of the shower, Stacy saw missed call from Ryan on her cell phone. Puzzled at why he had called her instead of waiting for her to get out of the shower to tell her whatever she needed to know, she called him back. To her surprise, Ryan is no longer in the house and had left her something on her bed for her to start her day and he reminded her she'll need to hurry to meet the appointments he had prearranged for her.

 

In the envelope sitting on her bed was maps to a store in the mall and a letter written: 

 

Good Afternoon Baby,

Let's play a game you might like maybe.

I know you like to go Geo-cashing,

So let's play a game that is matching.

A GPS system I couldn't buy,

So these maps and clues will have to fly.

Go get showered and grab a book,

Go ahead and give your gas gauge a look.

You are off to a day of fun,

But you best be ready to run.

You need to arrive by 2:30 and not be late,

Something is waiting, suitable for a date.

Your first stop is Barton Creek Mall,

Have fun my Baby Doll.

 

Realizing this might turn into a day of proposal, she quickly mentally prepared herself for the day. Knowing she's already half an hour late for her first appointment she hurried and grabbed her jacket to make the run out of the house. On her way to the car, with a heavy suspicion, she saw her father in the front yard with a smirk on his face wishing her a good day, and all that just further confirmed her skepticism.  Though the couple had been seriously discussing marriage for a while by now, but she was not expecting the engagement to arrive until the holidays or later.

 

After she arrived at the appointed store, the manager handed her a nice purple and black dress for her to try on. She knew Ryan had been looking into buying her a dress (because she normally does not enjoy shopping for dresses herself). The dress he had picked out fitted her and was beautiful. After the manager store steamed her new dress, he handed her another envelope which contained the next clue to the second destination.

 

With only a little bit of time on her hand, she quickly thanked the manager and rushed out of the mall to run for her next appointment. If you know Stacy, you know she's not the type of girl that frequent Spas and Salons just for fun - she's usually happily content in her jeans and t-shirts. Well, her next destination brought her to a Spa with a manicure booked waiting for her. Never gotten a manicure in her entire life, she felt a little awkward receiving one. Despite not knowing what to expect, she had a good time and enjoyed the excellent service the spa had provided. As she was checking out, the front desk handed her the envelope that gave instruction for the third destination which lead to a Salon couple blocks down the beautiful drive of Loop 360.

 

Arriving at the Salon, Stacy quickly recognized this is the store that one of Ryan's friend (also name Stacy) is working at. After the Stacy's greeted each other, Stacy asked her to see her new dress. Realizing that Ryan's friends are now in on this she gladly brought out her dress from the car to show Stacy and let her be creative with her hair. After the transformation of her hair from plain to a beautiful updo, Stacy showed her the bag Ryan had prepared for her. The bag contained a pair of boots he had bought for her to wear with the dress, socks and other accessories that he has taken from her room while she was in the shower earlier that day, and the last envelope that gave her directions to the dinner restaurant. While the boots are nice and elegant matching the dress, but it's certainly too tall for a girl like her. Without too much hesitation, Stacy changed into her new outfit and got herself ready for the dinner to come, thinking to herself the dinner should be the highlight of the evening where the boy meets the girl.

 

Upon arrival of the dining restaurant, handsome Ryan was already seated, patiently awaits for her arrival. The couple greeted each other, then enjoyed their fine dining at Louie 106 which is located in the heart of downtown Austin on Congress and 6th. Since the proposal did not take place in the restaurant, Stacy wonders where they're going next. As they walked out of the restaurant, to her surprise, there was a horse carriage waiting for them. Never ridden one of those before Stacy's face brightened like a little kid in the candy store, and the couple hopped on to the carriage. Enjoying the beautiful view of downtown Austin, they rode up Congress Ave where the horse carriage dropped them off in front of the capital. Taking a closer look at of the awesome night view of the capital building, they walked toward the magnificent structure. The two of them sat town on a bench (in fact, the only dry bench in the park) to give her hurting feet a rest. And it was there, in front of the capital of Texas did Ryan proposed to Stacy. Stacy delightfully accepted and after they hugged, Lindsey and Grant came out of the dark background where they were hidden taking pictures of the engagement process.

 

That is when Stacy found out Lindsey was the one that had wiped down the drenched bench before their arrival and clued Ryan to sit her down for the picture. She was certainly touched to have known they've been blessed by such good friends. The couple stayed around to take a few more pictures before the horse carriage picked them up and took them for a ride around downtown. At that moment, everything just felt so surreal to Stacy. They're no longer bf/gf status but are engaged! She thought about how she needs to change her facebook status looking at the beautiful tension-set diamond ring Ryan had given her. (Yes, if you know Stacy, you also know she's indeed a bit nerdy like that.) After the carriage dropped them off back at the restaurant, Stacy thought this must be where she bid Ryan a good night. Yet again to her surprise, Ryan did not take her to her car, but instead drove to her friend Judy's home.

 

Walking into the Lu's home, the couple was enthusiastically congratulated by a swarm of Stacy's church friends and her family. Seeing so many people at the house warmly wishing them happiness, Stacy was completely speechless. The loving and encouraging words and prayers of her friends and loved ones that evening (including a video from a distant friend who couldn't make it to the evening) literally brought her to tears. The couple enjoyed the rest of the evening with the foods others have prepared and played games to introduce the newly engaged couple to the church family.

 

After arriving back at home (which was way pass her bed time), Stacy realized her original plan of working on next morning's sermon translation the during the road trip had not even started. So even though she didn't get to go to bed early as she hoped, but it was certainly totally worth it. For that night Stacy was truly blessed by her friends and family who are very caring and supportive, and a husband-to-be that loved her very much. She's just an ordinary girl that really did not deserve any of it, but by the grace of God she was loved in ways beyond her imagination. Truly humbled and touched she only wishes to express her gratitude to those who've been praying for her (distant or near) and her deep thankfulness to the God who is the Author of Love and the Giver of Life.