We are Engaged!!!

Such wonderful news to share with all of you..well at least for the few of you that don't already know.

Jake proposed to me on Fort Lauderdale beach, Thursday night 4~4~08. It was by far the most romantic night of my life.

We had spent the day with the family in Las Olas enjoying the stores..taking in the sights. We then had dinner reservations for 7:30 at a restaurant on the beach.

~Earlier that day Jake and asked me if I wanted to leave James with the family and go for a walk alone on the beach before dinner. I welcomed the idea since we hadn't had any alone time. It was a perfect evening on the beach...we walked bare foot on the water's edge talking about how much we loved each other and how blessed our lives were. Jake even brought up the subject of engagement. We talked about when we wanted to get engaged and married and even where. We had been walking for quiet awhile when Jake said, "lets head back...it's time to be seated at the restaurant." On the walk back the subject of engagment faded into the background and as always we began to look for shells. *A little preface*

*Jake and I love sand dollars. We have them all over our house. Part of the reason for this is, one day we were visiting Tyby Island,GA and on our usual shell walk, I mentioned how great it would be if we found a sand dollar. Low and behold that next step we took, a sand dollar washed up on the shore in front of us....so great! Ok, back to the engagement.....

~As we looked for shells Jake mentioned how great it would be if we found a sand dollar that night. I said it was pretty unlikely and kept walking. Only a few steps later I walked directly into a sand dollar buried in the sand. I could not believe my eyes..not to mention it had been bleached and not the usual gray color. Anyhow, I told Jake.."Look..look what I found!" I bent over to pick it up..flipped it over and this is what I saw...

I began to cry..I turned to face Jake and there he was on bended knee with the ring in this hand. He asked me to marry him and through the fountain of tears I said yes.....it was perfect.We walked back to the restaurant where we were welcomed with applauds and whistles from everyone in the restaurant as well as hug and kisses from the family!

Jake and I have been together for 2.5 years now and have learned so much about each other over this time. The most wonderful part of this story is that the marriage Jake and I will create and the relationship that will grow will come from absolute love and respect for each other. We didn't rush into getting married when we had James, rather cherished the relationship we had and allowed our love for each other to grow and develop separately from being parents. Now this proposal and engagement comes out of true unconditional and everlasting love for each other. We both have found that moment, where we are ready to take that next step and become husband and wife.....what a blessing.

And now of course...the ring!

It is absolutely stunning...I could not ask for a more beautiful engagement ring.