The Engagement Story
Where do I begin in telling a story that will only happen once in my life?... Justin whispered in my ear through shouts and shrieks of Cartagena, "We're going on a special date tonight, just you and I." I immediately argued, bantered, and complained in order to prevent any possible Justin-thrill-seeking behavior. He continued to remind me throughout the day as my anxiety mounted for our looming rule-breaking plans. Upon our arrival at Hotel Casa Vargas, I immediately put on the best-looking outfit I brought for a mission trip to Colombia. He reminded me that we were breaking all the rules and, as Captain Obvious, I walked out briskly with a stone-cold expression past all my fellow teammates.
With Justin being full gringo and me looking mostly gringa, we conspicuously walked along the street of locals, salsa, and stares. Like a take-charge man, Justin flagged down a taxi and negotiated IN SPANISH- I was impressed. We (always surprisingly) survived the taxi ride to the colonial old city of Cartagena. For the first time during the whole trip we were able to relax (well I was relaxed) and talk about the magnitude of our experiences in Colombia.
We reached the promised land AKA the most beautiful restaurant and view in all of Cartagena. I found out later that when we visited the same spot the night before that Jason (our team leader) had given the code word to Justin that this was the place when he announced, "This is a great spot to take a date!" We were sat by a flamboyant, joyful Colombian waiter and ordered the famously, straw-licking good smoothie. I downed my coconut lime drink as Justin and I continued our casual conversation.
During a pause, our conversation turned fancy. He began by saying, "So the reason I brought you here was to talk about our future..." My inference antennas immediately popped up. Justin talked mostly of his life, our future, and changes that were occurring in his heart. I have never in my life seen THE Justin Dentler so nervous. As he finished his introductory speech he just stopped- and I mean complete silence, eyes down, hands shaking- Stopped. And before I was sure what was coming next he stood up from his chair, got down on his knee, and pulled out a perfect ring.
During this sequence of events, I commenced sobbing, hyperventilating, "oh my god-ing", and the occasional shrieking. Through all my nonsense he couldn't be sure of my answer to his question. He asked, "Is that a 'yes'?" I nodded my head while still cupping my face. He tore away my hands from my agape mouth and slid the most beautiful diamond ring on the skinniest adult finger. Once the ring was in its rightful place, I realized the proportions worked out perfectly- this ring looks like a rock.
Through more hugging, kissing, and "oh my god-ing," I was finally able to calm down enough to look in his eyes and say, "Holy crap you're my fiance!" Then, I obviously wanted to know everything leading up to the proposal- who knew, how long, parents?, how big was this thing anyway? He told me that a lot of people knew- which shocked me. He asked my dad for his blessing on Father's Day. Apparently my mom was ecstatic. I asked every question possible, and Justin was just relieved that it was over. He had wanted to do it on day 2 because the anticipation was killing him. Justin told me that even his grandpa knew- who had just passed away recently- this brought tears to both our eyes. Justin said he had been very excited, and we took a moment to just remember and treasure Grandpa Dentler.
We continued our amazement at being engaged and I continued to be full of every positive emotion possible, each presenting itself in a different way. Nothing could have been so real and genuine yet so surreal at the same time. Our waiter skipped our way and we asked him to take a few pictures of us in beautifulville. He wished us a happy life together and Justin and I were on our way back through the Old City trying to avoid the creepers only to eventually have the creepiest cab driver ever (more to come on that later).
We came home to anxiously waiting friends, and I was able to announce, "I'm Engaged!" Then, I began to tell my engagement story for the very first time. Thank You Justin for giving me such a wonderful story to tell.
With Justin being full gringo and me looking mostly gringa, we conspicuously walked along the street of locals, salsa, and stares. Like a take-charge man, Justin flagged down a taxi and negotiated IN SPANISH- I was impressed. We (always surprisingly) survived the taxi ride to the colonial old city of Cartagena. For the first time during the whole trip we were able to relax (well I was relaxed) and talk about the magnitude of our experiences in Colombia.
We reached the promised land AKA the most beautiful restaurant and view in all of Cartagena. I found out later that when we visited the same spot the night before that Jason (our team leader) had given the code word to Justin that this was the place when he announced, "This is a great spot to take a date!" We were sat by a flamboyant, joyful Colombian waiter and ordered the famously, straw-licking good smoothie. I downed my coconut lime drink as Justin and I continued our casual conversation.
During a pause, our conversation turned fancy. He began by saying, "So the reason I brought you here was to talk about our future..." My inference antennas immediately popped up. Justin talked mostly of his life, our future, and changes that were occurring in his heart. I have never in my life seen THE Justin Dentler so nervous. As he finished his introductory speech he just stopped- and I mean complete silence, eyes down, hands shaking- Stopped. And before I was sure what was coming next he stood up from his chair, got down on his knee, and pulled out a perfect ring.
During this sequence of events, I commenced sobbing, hyperventilating, "oh my god-ing", and the occasional shrieking. Through all my nonsense he couldn't be sure of my answer to his question. He asked, "Is that a 'yes'?" I nodded my head while still cupping my face. He tore away my hands from my agape mouth and slid the most beautiful diamond ring on the skinniest adult finger. Once the ring was in its rightful place, I realized the proportions worked out perfectly- this ring looks like a rock.
Through more hugging, kissing, and "oh my god-ing," I was finally able to calm down enough to look in his eyes and say, "Holy crap you're my fiance!" Then, I obviously wanted to know everything leading up to the proposal- who knew, how long, parents?, how big was this thing anyway? He told me that a lot of people knew- which shocked me. He asked my dad for his blessing on Father's Day. Apparently my mom was ecstatic. I asked every question possible, and Justin was just relieved that it was over. He had wanted to do it on day 2 because the anticipation was killing him. Justin told me that even his grandpa knew- who had just passed away recently- this brought tears to both our eyes. Justin said he had been very excited, and we took a moment to just remember and treasure Grandpa Dentler.
We continued our amazement at being engaged and I continued to be full of every positive emotion possible, each presenting itself in a different way. Nothing could have been so real and genuine yet so surreal at the same time. Our waiter skipped our way and we asked him to take a few pictures of us in beautifulville. He wished us a happy life together and Justin and I were on our way back through the Old City trying to avoid the creepers only to eventually have the creepiest cab driver ever (more to come on that later).
We came home to anxiously waiting friends, and I was able to announce, "I'm Engaged!" Then, I began to tell my engagement story for the very first time. Thank You Justin for giving me such a wonderful story to tell.
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