Eleven Years of Promise

 

Eleven years ago today, I woke up and put on a brown shirt (that I no longer own) and a denim skirt (that I also no longer own) and brown boots (that I can’t remember if I still own…did they survive the last move??) and made my way from Marion to Fort Wayne to WBCL for a normal day at work.

            I put on my makeup at my desk, since I ran out of time to put it on at home. I polished my nails at my desk, which was not unusual for those of us on the Mid-Morning crew. And in the 10:00 hour, while live on the air, I received the surprise of a lifetime. Following cues I did not know existed, Ryan heard Lynne’s signal sentence and entered the studio to propose to me.

            If you’ve been reading here for a while, you’ve heard this story recapped every which-way for the last eleven years, and we won’t skip talking about it today, either. It’s a day I love with my entire being, and I always pause to celebrate it.

            When he got down on one knee, he delivered a beautiful proposal that he had written out and memorized, and I still treasure every word of it. (Big thanks to my friend and coworker, Sheryl, who transcribed it for me and I still love the presentation of it she created!)

            During his proposal, he said these words: I want to wake up with you every single morning and I want to snuggle up with you every single night. I want to enjoy life with you – whatever that looks like and wherever it is, I don’t care – I just want to be with you. I want us to go on this journey together and have more fun than I ever thought possible.

            Whatever it looks like and wherever it is…there has been an abundance of both those things.

            Our life has looked like commuting…and radio…and therapy…and moving…and remodeling…and serving…and caretaking…and grieving…and hosting…and traveling…and bravery…and heartbreak…and working…and versions of parenting…and celebrating…and disappointment…and confusion…and fun…and learning…and so much more.

            There has been a lot of wherever, too. Lots of homes and changes.

            But indeed, we have done this journey together, and we’ve had more fun than we ever thought possible.

            I am profoundly grateful (every day, but especially on this day) that Ryan asked me to share life with him. He has been a blessing to my life and to my family and friends, too. He has added so much joy to all our days. He has shown the love of Jesus to us through his prayers, his words, and his acts of service. He has given selflessly and sacrificially to us. He has listened and cared and carried.

            Ryan, thank you for asking me to be yours. Thank you for this beautiful ring that symbolizes our love and your promise to walk through life with me. I still love it and am amazed that you already had dreamed up – and ordered – the very design I told you I thought would be so pretty.

            I still say a resounding YES (or two) to being your wife. Sorry I interrupted your asking and said yes before you were done! (But in all truth, I would probably do it again.)

            I love you, Ryan Shaffer. Happy engagementversary!

PS - You can still watch the proposal here! I love it!