Dan and I are Engaged!

So the past couple of days have been incredible! As you can see from my title, Dan and I are engaged and I couldn't be more excited! Here is what happened...

Last week my life was a constant rollercoaster of ups and downs. Sadly, more downs then ups. It seemed like one thing after another was going wrong. After a full day of working I would come home and stress over everything that was "messed up" and needed correcting. It felt like as soon as one thing was fixed another problem would emerged from behind the dark shadows that followed me. I was not a happy person, but I made it through each day.

Friday, December 12th, my luck started to change! Dan and I went to the mall before dinner so that we could try and pick up a few Christmas gifts. My lousy days encouraged me to treat myself to a new outfit for my special secret with Dan. I had gotten a Victoria's Secret "secret" gift card from a purchase I made last month and decided to use it. I was guaranteed it would have at least $10 on it (and possibly up to $500). I saw a shirt that I really liked and wished that they had it in a different color... I saw no such shirt anywhere, I assumed I had made up the whole existence of the shirt. When I was about to give up I looked up and saw exactly what I wanted on a manikin on a top display in the store! Not only was it the right color, it was also in my size! Not only was it my size, it was the only one in the store! Wow! So when I went to use the gift card I found out that my secret gift card had $50 on it! So I bought an additional top to go with my outfit and paid very little out of pocket! Wow........

Saturday, December 13th, Dan had a whole day planned for us and I knew nothing. Early that afternoon we took the train downtown. When we got down there we took the trolley to Navy Pier where we went to the Winter Wonder Fest! There, Dan and I went ice skating and decorated Christmas cookies!

From Navy Pier Dan led me to the Hancock building. It was slightly raining, but not bad at all. Once we were among the tall buildings the wind was almost gone and we could finally feel the 50 degree weather. As we got to the Hancock building Dan led me down the stairs by the big Christmas tree that stood in front of the building. By now the was little, if any, rain. As we got to the bottom of the tree Dan said, "Karolyn, what is that? Does that have your name on it?" I was genuinely surprised to see a single gift hanging from the tree with a huge tag that had my name on it! He instructed me to open my early Christmas present and I did just that. Inside was a small, wrapped box. It rattled, so I knew it wasn't a ring. Inside the box was a Mickey-shaped necklace with a heart. "Aw, look at that," Dan started, "Mickey came to wish you a Merry Christmas." I loved it! Dan offered to put it on me and I accepted his offer. Just as he finished clasping the necklace he released the ring and it slid down the necklace. I felt the ring and my heart just about stopped. I turned around and Dan got down on one knee. He made a beautiful speech and I started to cry some tears of joy. He asked me to marry him and I did not hesitate to say, "Yes!" Then, Dan got up, kissed me, and held me! Dan took the ring off my necklace and placed it on my finger. It's exactly what I wanted! I love my ring! Oh, but our evening wasn't over!

Dan took me into the Hancock building where I called my sister right away! She was excited to hear the news and honored to be the first one called. Dan's folks already knew what was going down... and so did my parents (for about a month).

When I got off the phone with Kathleen, Dan took me up to the 95th floor of the Hancock where we had dinner at the Signature Room. The view was breathtaking and dinner was delicious! It was all very romantic! Dan ordered us a bottle of wine and later we dined on steak. We spent the whole dinner smiling at each other from across the table.

At the end of the evening Dan notified me that he had rented a town car limo to drive us home. He did not want me to have to take the train back. "A pretty car for a pretty girl," is what he said. The car ride was great... we spent the whole time on the phone with loved ones, sharing the good news!

At home my parents waited anxiously for us to come home. They congratulated us and gave us our first gift. At home I was all smiles and felt like I was vibrating... I felt so alive, so happy! I got very little sleep that night.

Sunday, Pastor Scott announced mine and Dan's news to the congregation (with our permission). Everyone was so happy for us and made us feel very special. I am very grateful to be part of such a supportive church family!

Well, since Dan and I got engaged we have been on a "one week" rule. For one week we cannot make any wedding plans. Our only job right now is to enjoy being engaged and savor this time together. It's not the easiest (holding off on planning our wedding), but we are enjoying it!