SURPRISE!!!

Today started out like any ordinary day. Granted it was raining for the 4th day in a row, which is unusual for sunny Southern California, but none the less...it was pretty orindary otherwise. I took Zech to meet his friend at the Chino Youth Museum, it was the best playdate site! He and little Hayden had a blast. We came home, had lunch and then it was time for a nap. As usual on weekdays, while Zech naps I cook dinner for my boys before I go to work. As I'm stirring the rice...I hear Nathanael walk in the door. He asks me to stay where I am. I think "hmmm maybe he brought me flowers?" He comes to the kitchen and says, "ok come with me"...we walk to the office where I see a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers! He says "I got you flowers!" I thank him and as I lean to smell the aroma from the flower that makes me happy because it looks HAPPY itself, I see out of the corner of my eye, Nathanael grabbing my hands, getting down on one knee and pulling out a ring box!!!! I thought he was kidding! He proceeded to tell me that our wedding day wasn't all we had hoped it would be (I have two words for you...family drama!!!), the engagement not really a surprise, and a wedding band not purchased. And then he asks me if I would marry him all over again! He opens the box and there is an eternity wedding band to match the eternity wedding ring I have already been adorned with by him, almost 4 years ago today. Of course I say YES! and he tells me that on our anniversary this year we will be married again...by none other then his grandfather!!!

Now if that in and of itself is not the most thoughtful thing that has ever happened to me two aspects of this "proposal" are even more so! First my dear husband has been secretly saving up for this beautiful ring for months now. Second, he surprises me with all this now instead come March because he knows I will want to wear the same dress I wore the day we got married the first time and because this man knows me like no other, he knows I will want time to loose weight first LOL! In addition to the flowers, the ring, the sentiment, there was also my favorite chocolate...Godiva's carmel squares! So I have to gobble those up today because come tomorrow, the diet is on!

Zech wakes up from his nap not long after and I happily announce to him "We're getting MARRIED!!!" to which he giggles and gives me a hug. Because really this time, we know the happy ending. It's here. It's us. It's about our family this time.

After all that has happened since that faithful day we first met in Vegas, over 7 years ago....I am reminded by this....

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." -Mother Teresa

Thank you Nathanael.

Thank you Zechariah.

We've endured a lot of hurt....but we are even more blessed with love!