Anxiously Engaged In A Good Cause

On July 3rd I got engaged to Laura [lah-rah; Eng. lah-ruh](no middle name) Riddle

I'm sure that all my devoted followers are just dying to know how I proposed to my bride-to-be. Well, here is the story:

In order for you to understand and appreciate the awesomeness of this story, you have to get a little background story, which I am happy and willing to give.

Laura and I have been dating (on and off) since our first date on October 31st of last year. In fact, I had my eyes on her since a couple of weeks before that. Here is a little excerpt from my journal dated October 29th:

"Laura has always been able to grab my eyes a little longer than everyone else, but I never noticed before. Now that I am aware of my staggered attention I am curious about where things could go if I try and insert myself into part of her life."

We became an official couple on the following Thanksgiving, which also marked the day of our first kiss... Two weeks later, she broke up with me. The details of the breakup are boring, so I will leave them out.

For the next 3 months I tried to get her back. She kept telling me not to hold on to the false hope of us one day getting back together. I told her that I wouldn't, but in secret I always did. We still spent a lot of time together, we called it "fake dating," which was just what I called it to trick her into thinking that we were "kind of dating" :)

We finally got back together and lasted another 3 weeks before I broke things off. Isn't that weird? I had been trying to get her back for months and months and finally when I got what I wanted I had doubts. I was really confused on what was going on. I couldn't understand why I broke up with her. I finally came to the conclusion that I just had to take some time to really ponder on the situation. That was on March 22nd. On May 24th we got back together for the last time.

I was anxious to get a ring on her finger. She was a little bit more hesitant. I finally convinced her that I was the best choice and a week before the proposal she designed the ring that she wanted and gave me detailed instructions on how the proposal was going to happen (time, place, date) I had little to do except put the ring on the finger.

On July 3rd I drove down to Provo and picked up the ring. I then took Laura to Sundance. We took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain and found a little trail that took us around to the south side of the mountain. We stopped in the middle of the path to enjoy the sun setting over the peak and the plant and animal life. I was a little nervous even though I knew that she was going to say yes to what I was about to propose. She set her purse down so we could take some pictures. As she walked back to get her purse, I pulled the ring out of my pocket. Right when I got it out it fell out of my hands and landed on the dirt by my feet....I dropped to the ground fumbling for the case trying to get it before she saw that I had dropped it, but it was too late. She turned around and saw me on my knees trying my hardest to look casual. I finally got hold of the ring and while on my knee I held it up to her. I opened it and while she looked at it and smiled I sat there silent wondering what was going to happen next. After a few seconds of silence I realized that I still had to ask the question. "Will you marry me?" I barely finished asking when she said "yes" and pulled me up for a kiss. Yummy.

We hugged and kissed and then got off the mountain. We went and visited her family to share the news and talk a little bit about wedding plans.

That was just over 2 weeks ago and things are going great. I am happy happy happy. I'm pretty sure she is too... :)

We are getting married on October 10th.

I love her!!