I'm engaged

posted on: 10.01.2012

I'm wearing: Polka dot skirt & dangling earrings from Forever 21 - Mustard heels from Payless - Denim shirt from Walmart
I've been staring at the blank spaces here for hours. I don't really know what to say here, other than I just had the most unexpected, surreal & memorable weekend of my life.
Louis, along with my family & best friend(AND THE LORD), pulled a BIG ONE on me. By BIG ONE I'm referring to the fact that they actually surprised. Apparently this was in the works since July.

I had no idea what was about to happen this past weekend. It is so hard to surprise me! I always end up finding out or I see it coming. It doesn't help that I have discernment and the Lord usually tells me about big things in my life. But I would've never thought He would take me on the offer of hiding my own engagement. That was my prayer for a while but then I pulled back and told Him I would want to know. I'm so glad I didn't! I had a feeling God & Louis were hiding something from me and I even mentioned it to Louis back in July. I didn't think it would be engagement. I really didn't.

I'm tricked into picking up someone from the airport on Friday, completely ruining my plans that day. I was in such a bad mood and was lacking a whole lot of grace. I complained and talked to Louis about it on my way to the airport. Then, lo & behold, Louis shows up and my jaw drops (fyi, my "shock" expression is pretty ugly). I begin to tear up a bit while Louis is trying to get me to unlock the door, haha.
"What's going through your mind right now?" —Louis asked
"Oh my gosh I need to change clothes. AND I HOPE YOU'RE NOT PROPOSING!" —me
"haha nah, no one knows I'm here so I don't have to deal with that pressure. Can't I just come down here to just see my lady?"  —Louis

well played, sir, well played. People have asked us about engagement since BEFORE we were dating. People have asked to be invited to our wedding since BEFORE we were dating. Trust me, we've felt the pressure to be engaged because it "was the next level", "the good thing to do". Too bad this isn't about us!

Louis said he wanted to date me that evening, since we can't have dates often. We dressed nice, got pizza (my stomach was in knots for being so surprised I just couldn't eat a decent meal!) &, for the first time ever, went to see a movie together. It was a perfect evening but I was sooooo tired and it was getting late. We tried find a photo booth (we try to get one each year) but it didn't happen. Photo Booths in PR are (we learned) scarce. By midnight we were home. By 12:45am I was engaged. He told me he loved me for the first time and we had our first kiss. 

It didn't happen the way Louis planned but it was perfect for me. He'll be sharing the proposal story soon!

These pictures are from our goodbye at the airport. I miss you so much already and I'm glad we conquered this long-distance thing—against all odds, negative comments & unbelief. God was, is & will be faithful. My faith has been stretched beyond deep waters ever since I said "yes".


I tell you all this because what I really want to share today is about pastor Dan's message this morning at my church. He had just gotten back from a trip the day before after being away for two weeks. According to our church bulletin, the message was titled "God fixes broken people". I was excited to bring Louis to see the church I've been recently attending, so it was so great to have pastor Dan the same Sunday Louis was there.
Pastor Dan tells the congregation:
"God has laid on my heart to talk about marriage today. I'm not sure if only one person has to hear this, but I'm gonna obey the Lord's leading. I'm sorry for this change at such a short notice, especially sorry for the media people. If you're visiting here today, please know I don't do this often."
I was stunned. Louis was taken aback as well. It was such a perfect message! Pastor Dan gave some life principals based on Adam & Eve's "engagement" story if you will, and it was a blessing. It meant the world to me because I felt God interfere in order to let me know He had ordained this engagement to happen the way it did. God is just making my dreams come true, one by one. Things hidden in my heart; things between just Him & I. And He gets all the glory for it. 

Wanna know a little secret? I had one of the worst meltdowns the day before I was engaged! I felt like waiting on God for direction in my life had become eternal. He wouldn't speak with clarity. I was at the end of my rope and I just wanted to give up! Surely I was in the bottom of His priority list. The Lord must've looked at me and said "this whiny little girl doesn't even know what's coming. I'm gonna let her have her tantrum."

In my eyes, I had failed the test of patience. My engagement to Louis is only because of God's grace. I don't deserve it. 
I tell you all this because I don't want it to seem like I'm glamorizing my engagement—we still have a long way to go. This engagement is the blessing of two people who dared to believe in God's promises for their life in the midst of a storm.


Louis was only here for the weekend, and our goodbye was not an easy thing. But I rest assured that my time without him is so short, we'll be together before we know it. I'm gonna be doing life with him soon.



I'm gonna marry my best friend. 
I'm engaged.

51 Smiles:

  1. Such a beautiful story! I truly admire your relationship! I know you two will have an amazing life together! Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, sweet girl!
    Congratulations!

    God's grace is so incredible. We don't deserve the goodness that He so lovingly blesses us with. This post blessed my heart so much. I feel very encouraged. This past week has been hard and this post encourages me to continue to seek Him. It also encourages with me how beautiful it is to wait. My fellow and I are waiting in many aspects of our relationship and it is so beautiful to read about your first "I love you" and kiss being on such a special day.

    Congratulations again!

    May He continue to lead and guide you both as you are taking steps in a new part of this life adventure. <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats!! I love seeing Godly relationships happening. It's so encouraging and just YAY :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm sososo happy for you guys! My goodness. <3

    ReplyDelete
  5. What can I say? I wish I could give you a hug and show you how largely I'm smiling, but all I can do is tell you that you both will be in my prayers, and *congratulations.* xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. YAY!! I'm so happy for you guys! I love reading stories about people who "court", since that's what I'll be doing. It always encourages me in my decision to not "date" like the rest of the world, but to stand strong in my Lord.

    ReplyDelete
  7. oh my goodness.
    i got goosebumps when you talked about what happened at church
    crazy
    i'm super super happy for you ashley!
    your story is such a blessing to others and Christ is already evident in your relationship... I can't even imagine what it's going to look like in your marriage.
    i just know it's going to be GOOD!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations, Ashley!!! What a perfect story and a perfect God.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment! You two make such a cute couple! Congratulations!!

    x Aliya
    hillsidestory.net

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yayyy! SO exciting! I'm so glad that you were surprised, too :) Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations! These photos are just adorable! :D So happy for you two!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful, wonderful, and so written by God! Congratulations, sister!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a beautiful story, Ash! :) Ahh, God is amazing isn't He!
    So glad for the both of you and for the record, you're such a role model to me - how you place your faith in Him, and you never seem to sway around regardless. Know that God is using you to bless people (like me) all around the world!

    Keep it up, love. :) Praying for God's best upon the two of you. It's gonna be an amazing story, your marriage. x

    ReplyDelete
  14. So crazy how I don't know you in person, but was almost brought to tears by this! I am sooooo happy for you and Louis! God is indeed faithful, always surprising us in every way!


    Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)))))

    Stef

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awww congratulations that's so sweet so happy for you!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you so much for sharing this story. It has encouraged my heart so much. Thank you Jesus that you love us so much that you even care enough to share the message of marriage for this beautiful girl and wonderful man.
    Amazing grace :)
    Congratulations and so much love to you both!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful story!!!!! I just love how God truly did write your love story...i remember being one of the ones saying..you two were perfect for each other and i remember after talks with you just praying that God would continue to bring both of you guys together for His glory cause i could see how the two of you being together could end up doing beyond extraordinary things for Him and His glory...you guys definitely are the demonstration of Ecclesiastes 4:11...you + louis + God in that triangle with both of you seeking Him and finding each other..thank you for being His vessel and demonstrating How God will write one's love story in His timing and for His Glory love love love <3 rachie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ashley and Louis, Congrats!!! <3 I am so blessed to be able to hear your story. It is such a beautiful one. I remember being one of those girls pressing to know more details about the two of you at SEU and asking why you were not pursuing a relationship yet. I remember you words of wisdom about your life and about mine...to truly let God write the Love Story...and to continue to seek after Him and His will for your life and to live fully for Him while single...and if He brought someone along to make sure that it was His will...where He'd have to do the extraordinary and that marriage should be when God can you use better and more as a team. I am proud of you Ashley and blessed to have had the chance to live life with you at SEU. Louis and Your dedication to God has been amazing and inspiring. God has truly written your love story and I am blessed to see it. You both are such a wonderful example of a God-centered relationship (the triangle with the two of you at the bottom and you both always seeking the point (God) and Him bring you guys together in His timing). Ecclesiastes 4:11 will ALWAYS make me think of your relationship. (I ALSO adore that that was your first kiss!!!!!!!! I remember talking to you about how I wanted to wait for the right guy...and your faithfulness in waiting helps restore that idea even if the world thinks it's nuts!) thank you for being such a strong woman of God and for being a light unto Him in your single life and now in your engaged life...and I know you will continue to be in your married life! Blessings to both of you as you continue on this journey together for the Kingdom of God! love love love <3 rach

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh Ashley this is so wonderful! Congratulations! What a beautiful love story you and Louis have to share. I hope that you two are blessed as you continue on this journey together!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Aww! Congrats again to the both of you! =D

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh, congratulations, beautiful girl! i wept as i read this! welcome to the journey that is marriage, my dear sister. what a gift from God husbands are :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. My goodness. These words! Truly, hearing about your courtship and now engagement with Louis has blessed me beyond measure. As a girl who went about relationships completely wrong prior to this year.. and has had a big heart change... reading of you two through this blog has been incredibly encouraging. I am so happy for you!! Thank you for being an example from the other side of the world! Much love! x

    ReplyDelete
  23. I don't know whether my big comment was published or not.... I think it's gone. But i've been meaning to write you a letter so I think i'll just put pen to paper. I'm so happy for you! You sharing your courtship and engagement (!) have been a huge blessing to me. Congratulations!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. That's such a blessing that you get the privilege of marrying your best friend. <3

    I hope that I have a cute engagement story such as yours.

    ~Kate


    ReplyDelete
  25. I literally cried as I read this. I'm so thankful for this season in your life. God is so good. His grace is great. I know your marriage will be honor Him! Love you friend!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congratulations!!! Such a sweet sweet story! Eeeeeeeeee, so happy for you! :D

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congratulations! I am so excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations! So excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh my gosh, that is beautiful!Thanks for telling us the news. I am so happy for you both! This brings me hope at just the right time<3

    ReplyDelete
  30. congratulations again Ashley! this is so exciting! can't wait to read the story!
    http://www.milasmonster.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congratulations! Thrilled for you. He is faithful.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congratulations! So thrilled for you! He is faithful!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Eek! Congratulations, Ashley! I'm so excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I woke up to this news on my Twitter timeline and I felt like it was a text from my very best friend! I am so happy for both of you and I pray that God continues to lead the two of you to beautiful places. And maybe in your eyes you didn't deserve it, but apparently God thought differently.

    Congratulations!!! And I can't wait to see the wedding pictures (now I'm being impatient lol)

    ReplyDelete
  35. You look radiantly happy! My then-boyfriend and I attended a spiritual meeting and the speaker started speaking about marriage, which wasn't too unexpected because the group was all young single adults, but then he spoke about some of the specific fears that my then-boyfriend and I had been discussing and promised that the Lord would make a way. It was a very impactful experience and I'm so grateful for what was said by Heavenly Father through his servant to me and my now-husband.

    ReplyDelete
  36. What an inspiring story, thank you for sharing it all with us! (so where does he live?) And how long have you been together?

    Isn't it hard when you feel like God isn't speaking clearly enough or not speaking enough in general? Sometimes He has answered prayers for me 5 and 6 years later!!! He is always working behind the scenes, and we forget that.
    I love how it all played out for you, and that sermon, WOW, talk about a kiss from the King for sure:)

    CONGRATS again!!!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  37. I've missed you!! in soooo many ways. Your heart for the Lord just is shining all over this thing! I feel horrible. I've yet to write you. I think about you often though. Non-creepy thoughtful thoughts of a dear sister who has encouraged my walk and blessed me with her transparency. And I am so glad to see God lavishing you in His goodness. The storms and battles rage but ONE THING REMAINS!! His love for us is infinite! praise God for this story. I love love love our God and you and your obedience and the man He is bringing into His relationship with you is going to be ROCKED with an amazing lil helpmate ;).


    blessings to you sis!

    ♥CheChe

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh my goodness! Congratulations!!! Enjoy every moment of it! I'm so happy for you :))

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just want to say, I knew it!!! :) Congratulations both of you and I see how God is doing amazing things all around us. Thank you for sharing your testimony(ies)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Ashley, I'm so teary-eyed after reading this. I thank God with you for the way He led Louis and you during this season of courtship and I now your engagement. Your story is so inspirational and I mostly love the way you give Him all the glory and recognize how 'tis all by His grace. I am so excited for your future together. Sending my hugs and greetings to the both of you. (Still hoping to meet you someday in PR). <3

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am also at a loss for words! Such a beautiful story! I want to go back and read all about your relationship!

    ReplyDelete
  42. oh my gosh! i'm seriously crying right now!!! gah! i'm so so so genuinely, sincerely, crazily, happy for you two! it's been amazing watching you, your blog, and your courtship grow so beautifully for the past year. and this is just...WOW. haha God bless both of you and your new future together. :D

    ReplyDelete
  43. oh my gosh! i'm seriously crying right now!!! gah! i'm so so so genuinely, sincerely, crazily, happy for you two! it's been amazing watching you, your blog, and your courtship grow so beautifully for the past year. and this is just...WOW. haha God bless both of you and your new future together. :D

    ReplyDelete
  44. CONGRATULATIONS! and thank you for the encouragement in the wait :-) God bless

    ReplyDelete
  45. Ashley, I am SO SO excited and happy for you! I'm sorry it took me this long to find out and get back to blogging, but wow. I am so happy! :) :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Lovely photos. Congrats!
    www.poolovesboo.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Congrats on your engagement!! Marriage is the best! Found your blog just now through Twitter (@juliamanchik). You have a very sweet story.

    * Julia

    ReplyDelete

Your comments make me smile :)
I read every single one.