I don't even know how to begin. I'm gloriously happy! Spencer and I are engaged to be married this summer!!
It's difficult to describe the excitement and swarm of positive, giddy, thoughts that surround me. We have been congratulated by all with warm well wishes and sincere happiness. Enough of my gushing, you really just want to know how it happened so here's the story (I have done my best to combine my version and Spencer's so you get both perspectives):
Sunday evening Spencer came to my apartment so we could go for a winter drive. We hadn't had a chance to drive up any of the canyons in 2-3 weeks because we were busy and the weather has turned the canyon roads into a winter wonderland. It had snowed the night before and we knew the canyon wouldn't be the best idea so Spencer suggested we drive out to the Oquirrh Mountain temple. We hadn't been to Oquirrh Mtn since April or May when he first held my hand so I whole heartedly agreed. We talked and talked because we hadn't seen each other all day. As winter weather has come upon us Spencer is now plowing snow which requires early mornings and long hours (Sunday was the first day for plowing and he was up at 4 a.m. and didn't finish plowing until 3 p.m.). We were driving into the sunset and reached the temple just as the last bit of sunshine grazed the tips of the Wasatch front. We sat on the Primary children's bench across the street and reminisced about the last time we had been here, how nervous Spencer had been to hold my hand, how I couldn't stop rambling because I had sensed his nerves...good times! **It was FREEZING cold outside (a wet cold not a dry cold)!** Eventually Spencer turned to me with a grin and said "I have a sort of cheesy surprise for you." He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, bronze colored box, with a cream bow. It looked like something his mom would have in their gift wrapping closet so I didn't suspect anything. As I turn it over to slide the lid off Spencer cautioned me to not spill anything out of it....my curiosity peaked. I opened the box and there in front of me was...a green plastic spider ring! EW! He was chuckling and I just laughed. The day before we attended a special showing of Harry Potter 7 and in a little bag of goodies we had found these plastic rings. I couldn't quite figure out what he was trying to do or elude to but I told him that even thought I detest spiders I would wear it just for him and just for the night.
Soon after Spencer suggested we walk around to get the blood flowing to stay warm. We were completely alone except for scattered cars driving by every once in a while. We walked to the front of the temple, where we stopped to look over the valley. The side walk ended near the front, at this point we were standing in the road. Spencer wanted to stand by the sign of the temple so we would be safely out of the way of cars driving on and off temple grounds. I looked at the sign and pointed out that the lawn up to the sign was covered in snow about a foot deep. He shrugged and said nonchalantly "I'll carry you". I laughed, "I'm the one in snow boots, you'll be soaked!" He smiled and jokingly said "You can carry me then". I shrugged and replied "OK" and I knelt down and he hopped on my back and we laughed all the way to the temple sign. He was sure this was so wrong in so many ways (true) but I assured him we were making a great memory (also true). We cleared a spot where we could stand and continued to admire the view.
Spencer turned to me and admitted "I have another surprise for you." I warily replied "Oh?..." not sure what to expect after the previous surprise. He reached into his coat again, but this time he pulled out a little white box (unmistakably a ring box, I gasped and my hands flew up to my face), and he knelt on the ground. I exclaim "Don't kneel! You don't have to kneel, there's snow!!" Spencer shook his head and said "I don't care!" as he opened the box. I laughed and cried and Spencer smiled up at me as he asked "Bailey, will you marry me?" I slowly nodded my head and, with the cheesiest smile I've ever worn, I emphatically said "Yes!" We hugged and kept hugging and marveled in the moment. Finally I looked at the ring and it is far more beautiful than I expected. I put the ring on and then we looked at each other and Spencer said "Now what?", I laughed and said "I don't know!" He swept me up and carried me through the snow back to the road and we called our parents and my sisters.
It was simple and perfect! Spencer has since confided in me the many blessings and tender mercies that lead him to that point. For example, a few weeks earlier his best coins sold on eBay, the final profit totaling ONE DOLLAR short of the cost of the ring. He had been praying that he would be able to propose on Saturday or Sunday. Saturday never presented an opportunity and on Sunday he knew dinner would be at 5 but he put the ring in his pocket anyway and as he walked up the stairs he prayed he would be able to ask that evening. As soon as he finished the prayer his mom apologized but dinner wouldn't be ready until 6 (that gave us an hour and a half at the temple)! We are so blessed! We are also extremely grateful for the love, support, and excitement of our family and friends.
We have decided our colors will be green, orange, and yellow. We don't have an exact date but we're thinking July since my brother will leave the mission home June 28th.
