Looking Back on Our Engagement

It was two years ago to the day, and we were walking around downtown Roanoke. A Monday. Rob was home from Minnesota to walk at UVA's graduation, and I had taken a few days off to spend with him. It was hot, and I was wearing my favorite jeans and a light green tank top and these brown strappy sandals with little studs all over them. We had plans to get lunch at one of our favorite spots downtown, and Rob was taking some photos for my blog, and I was being uncooperative.

"Let's just go eat," I said irritably--unable to focus, distracted by the promise of Pad Thai.

He had a plan, and it was a cute one--to get me to walk away long enough to take a photo of something he had in his pocket, so that when I flipped through the shots he had taken, I'd come across it. But I was contrary and annoying in my hunger and kept pushing him toward the restaurant. "We can take pictures later! Let's eat."

We were standing near the fountain on the market when finally he stopped me, letting out an exasperated "Megan!" 

And I said "What?"

And then he got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. "Will you marry me?"

We kissed and laughed and walked down the sidewalk while family members and friends came out of hiding spots to hug us. "Wait, did you say yes?" he laughed, phone to his ear as he was telling someone the news. It all happened so fast that I think I said "Is this for real?" instead of "Of course I'll marry you!" 

And then everyone left, and it was just the two of us, and the sky cracked open and big, loud, spring rain came pouring down, splashing back up from the concrete. So we stood in the middle of the street and made out in the rain. And I finally forgot about the Pad Thai.

Sometimes I still can't believe the beautiful life we're building.

Life is short. Let's celebrate all of it.