Time: 3:00pm
Today was the Detweiler (Nathaniel's mother's) side of the family Christmas, and Nathaniel's immediate family Christmas. Sharon had a few presents she needed to wrap and asked that Anna, Nathaniel, and I disappear. I was going to play piano where I was out of the room and thus out of sight of Sharon's work when Nathaniel asked if I would like to go for a walk. At this I was quite surprised because it is usually me asking if he would like to go on a walk and often being declined.
I responded with a "Really?" and after him confirming quickly got up to get on shoes, my coat, and mittens to keep warm before he could change his mind.
We walked down his parent's drive and up a tractor path towards a woods. We had not gotten any lasting snow yet, but there was plenty of iced puddles to jump onto and crush. I even managed to scrape up enough snow to attempt the first snowball throw of the year; I stress the repeat because as soon as the flakes left my mitten the loosened into a snow dust cloud.
Upon reaching the edge of the woods we discovered a smooth 12' frozen puddle which provided us with a perfect place to skate around on our shoes and enjoy the outdoors. After I plummeting to the ground after a miscalculated slide I quickly got up and ran down the path a bit more and hid behind a sapling to prove to Nathaniel that I was just fine. Playing along Nathaniel pretended to search hard for me before approaching my simple hiding place and catching me in a hug before I could escape.
Nathaniel proceeded to tell me that I was going to be mad at him and after my inquiry as to why in the world I would be he went on to explain that he had purchased a gift for me even though he and I had agreed to spend a day in Lancaster together instead of buying gifts for one another. After genuinely reassuring him that I was not going to loath him for doing something kind and thoughtful I began to turn toward back up the path towards his house where I presumed the gift was in order to assure him that I was ready to go retrieve the gift from the house and show him my joy in place of where he seemed to think I'd show frustration. Nathaniel stopped me and asked where I was going. I passed him a confused look and replied that I wanted to go and get the the gift at the house. When he told me he had the gift with him I smiled, enjoying every moment of this adventure.
I did not expect his next step to be down on one knee, nor for his hands to hold up the beautiful ring he had picked out himself just for me. "Will you marry me?" He asked with a smile on his handsome face. Astonished and surprised I replied "NO WAY! YES!" as we burst with smiles, laughter, and pure joy.
Filled with excitement and thankfulness to God for one-another, we heading back to his parents house laughing and talking ready to share our joy with those inside.
