For weeks, more like months, I had been stressing over Lauren's XMAS present. My biggest worry was whether Lauren would catch wind of the huge "surprise"that I had in store for her. Who would have thought that something so meaningful, so special, and so beautiful would cause so much stress.haha. But my MISSION was clear, cut and percise...it was to create a feeling and memory that would last an entire lifetime.Many weeks ago Lauren and I had attended one of her childhood friend's, Christine Green, wedding. The wedding was right outside Kansas City so it was exciting for the both of us, because it was our first "official" trip as a couple. Lauren was one of the bridesmaids in the ceremony and I remember seeing her for the first time and thinking how beautiful she was. Lauren had not been feeling well for a week(later we would find out way.lol), but she never looked so bright and full of light. I took my seat in on the grooms side and watched something amazing....something so completely beautiful. As I watched Lauren make her way down the aisle and take her place along side the Bride, I couldn't help but watch her and think to myself...."She is everything I will ever want in a mate, companion, friend, bride, and as a wife....." I knew right then sitting amongst the crowd watching two people join their lives as one, that Lauren Ann Alexander was the one GOD sent before me to be my "Mate for Life."
And so for a couple of months I had played everything down that even remotely dealt with marriage. Lauren began to wonder if she would always be a bridesmaid and never a Bride.lol A little mean and cruel towards Lauren??...well yes, but I had to have her off her toes somehow. But little did Lauren know that I had something planned for her that would be the biggest surprise of all surprise. And so on December 19th 2008 Lauren, her family, and my mother went to the mall to do some "window shopping" for Christmas, and also for Lauren to get my Christmas present( or soo she thought). She thought that I wanted a picture of Santa and her together as part of my XMAS wish list. So as Lauren stood in the long line to see jolly ol' St. Nicholas, I was nervously hiding and waiting just 50 feet away holding a long stem red rose and a tiny little black box.
As Lauren began to make her way towards Santa's knee, I stood by watching her and waiting for my sign....for Santa to hand her a Teddy Bear dressed in a tuxedo(from me of course). As Lauren pressed the bear's paw and leaned down to listen to its message for her. I stood there in what seemed like forever.....thinking over the past 11 months and just thanking GOD for this blessing that he bestowed upon my life. And so I stood there just thinking to myself that...."this is the beginning our lives together", that there will be good times and hard times but never ever would there be bad times. But most of all, I couldn't imagine my life ever being complete without her in it. With her back towards me I took my walk towards her, and from seeing her reaction to the bear's message...I knew it was either now or never.haha.
I turned to face this woman, who had became the most complete and most important love of my life, and gave her the rose. I then told her that I have loved her so much for so long, that I want to spend the rest of my LIFE with her, and would she share hers with me.......Then as I dropped to one knee and opened the tiny black box, I simply said...."Will you Marry me?" With tears strolling down her check she gladly accepted my proposal. And for an eternity I will forever remember the moment that I ask Lauren Ann Alexander to be my mate, companion, best-friend, bride, and most of all my wife.............MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
