post-it note proposal part 2

Brief history of our post-it note tradition:

Eric and I have dated long distance from day one. A big part of our excitement in seeing each other happens through countdowns. I started off writing each day on a post-it note and then tearing it off each day. But Eric found a countdown app on our phone! Thank you, Lord, for the iPhone Countdown App! We are big fans :) In this photo, little did I know I was counting down to Eric's proposal!

Thanksgiving Countdown

Another post-it note memory is how I told Eric I loved him for the first time. He had already told me he loved me, and I had finally built up the courage to tell him but we weren't going to see each other for another few weeks. I couldn't wait to tell him any longer. I had written out everything I wanted to say on the post-it notes a couple weeks before. I was ready. So one evening, on Skype (our favorite means of communication--what did people do before Skype??) I busted out my post-it notes and told him I loved him. Always and Forever. One word on each post-it. Down below is a photo of the actual moment:

Display of Love

 And now for the much anticipated continuation of the story! :)

He slowly opens the passenger door for me and.......

Talking with my Papa

....yellow post-it notes.  All over. The seat. The door. The dashboard. A little white board sign has the words "Things I Love About You" written on it. Each post-it has a word or phrase that Eric loves about me. A single rose sits on the seat. And a letter. While I'm taking it all in, Eric gently nudges me and tells me to read the letter. With fumbling hands, I open the letter and the first thing I see is a photo of Eric and my Dad in front of my house. I turn around in amazement and Eric is just smiling. "Read the letter," he says. Eric was supposed to meet my parents today! I knew he wanted to talk to my dad, but this photo meant they had already talked! This had Eric Wenzel craftiness written all over it. I am notorious for reading fast and once I read the letter in like 2.5 seconds I turn around to face Eric. He seems taken aback by how quickly I read it. However, he recovers quickly, clears his throat and looks me in the eyes.

Engaged!!

Eric told me things that made my heart sing. Then later I had to have him repeat what he said because I couldn't remember :) A lot of thoughts can jumble up in a girl's brain when she is getting proposed to! With Eric, I feel loved. And known. And happy. Our dating relationship has been so full of adventure. And laughter. And becoming more like Jesus.

A couple summers ago, I did a bible study with some wonderful women and we went through the book "Praying For Your Future Husband" by Robin Gunn and Tricia Goyer. Robin spoke hope into my heart. She told us that a day would come when everything would change.  I was recently reminded of my girly-dreamy-eyed face when we did the chapter on how Rebekah got matched up with Isaac. How Rebekah had no idea what her day held in front of her.  Robin told us that day would come for us. We would wake up not knowing that we would meet a wonderful man. Or fall in love. Or be proposed to. Happy sigh. I have so many things I would love to share. About God's perfect love-story writing abilities. And about how much I am looking forward to the day I take on Wenzel as my last name. He stole my heart so I get to steal his name :) 

I guess I can finish the proposal story :) After he shared his heart, Eric got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. And I said yes! The photo above is our first photo as an engaged couple. Rosy cheeked and thrilled :)

My other big news is that I am officially island hopping to Oahu to be closer to this awesome guy! At the end of December, I will be closing my Maui chapter and opening a new one on Oahu. Maui has been my home for over 3 years. I love this island, so so much. My Ohana here is incredible. I have grown in grace and truth on Maui. I know that the Lord is walking before me. Already I am blown away by the love and support I have gotten during this season of change and engagement and wedding planning. I am blissfully happy and so excited for what is to come :)

Risa