Let me begin by saying that after March twentieth of two thousand twelve, I have a deeper understanding of how tender, and full of grace our great God is. Not only was He the One Who provided everything Aaron needed to move across the country to this town called Jackson... He also created the most perfect and beautiful surprise for my tender feminine heart.
I think it was Tuesday. I was home on spring break, and very busy getting my mother's wedding dress altered and visiting venues. I received a Facebook message from our church friend, inviting my housemates and I over to her house for a casual girl's night and dinner. We all responded saying that we would be able to make it and that's the last time I thought about it.
Meanwhile, my parents and I managed to plan basically an entire wedding in five days. The venue we chose was originally unavailable for the only weekend we could have the wedding, and then it turned out to be fully available. My dress alterations turned out beautifully and were done in two days. My mom found a lovely florist who is giving us more than I could have imagined for exactly the price that we are able to afford. The flowers are going to be incredible. The florist also recommended the cake decorator who has designed a gorgeous wedding cake, as well as a little gluten-free bride's cake. We found the bridesmaids, flower girls, and mother of the bride dresses. The Lord just abundantly blessed and orchestrated every single piece of this wonderful celebration and we were amazed at how it all came together.
Saturday came around, and I got REALLY sick. Intense fever, cough, headache, the works. We were all worn out, and my body just completely crashed. My flight back to Jackson was early in the morning on Monday and got me here around five o'clock that night. It was obvious that I would be staying in bed for at least another day so that the fever could break before I came in contact with any more people. This was all part of God's amazing plan by the way. I called in sick to work and stayed home on Tuesday. Slept until one, and spent the afternoon reading the Word and spending time with Jesus.
That night the girls got home from dance and asked if I was still planning to go to our friend's house for dinner. I told them as long as my fever was gone that I would go. So we all got dressed. I still wasn't feeling very good but they managed to convince me to put a dress and some make up on. I even tried to back out at the last minute.
So then it came time to head over. Still not thrilled about being out of bed, I rode in the car wondering if Aaron was ever going to get to Mississippi so that we could finally get engaged. We pulled up to a picturesque little house with a sign on the front door that read, "We're around back". So around the house we went to the back porch where I could see the doors to the house wide open and some tea-light candles glowing along a short brick wall inside.
I thought to myself, "What a lovely little oasis. A warm southern night on the back porch with candles!" As I turned the corner I was surprised to see the brick wall was lit all the way down with candles and also along the staircase...where a young man was sitting with his arms casually resting on his knees....it was Aaron!! I stood in amazement for what felt like ten seconds. I really could not believe my eyes! I had talked to him just the night before and he was at his parents house in California! He could not possibly be here, in Mississippi, with me....? But there he sat, smiling at me with his joyful green eyes, instantly refreshing my heart.
I ran into his arms. And cried. I couldn't believe he was there. I knew I must be dreaming. After all these months of waiting and hoping that he would come, I couldn't believe that all of a sudden he was there to sweep me off my feet. Once my thoughts slowed enough for me to hear, I realized that our precious love song was playing. The song that tells our love story with notes on a piano was singing in my ears as Aaron held me close. He invited me to dance with him, so I put down my purse and followed him to the middle of the room. It was better than a dream.
Our other favorite song came on next so we danced to that, and I began to ask Aaron about how in the world we were standing in the same room. He explained a few things about how the Lord had provided this and that.
When the song was over he paused, knelt down in front of me, pulled the most beautiful diamond ring I've ever seen out of his jeans pocket, and tenderly asked me to marry him! Obviously I said yes, and he then picked me up, whirled me around and let out a good "Yahooo!!!" in true Aaron fashion.
For almost two and half years we have been waiting for this wondrous night. Waiting and hoping and praying that the Lord would fulfill our desire to be married and glorify Him as one. And now the time has finally come! In about six weeks I will put on my ivory wedding dress, walk down a long chapel aisle holding tightly to my father's arm, and looking joyously at my soon to be husband. I will be clothed in a righteousness not of my own, but of Jesus Christ Himself, and presented to the man who has given up his life and his family to be joined to me.
Greater love has no one than this...
Thank you all for reading our story. The Bible speaks at length about the power of our testimony. I am overwhelmingly amazed at this love story that our Heavenly Father has written and accomplished for us. The beauty, and purity, and wonder of our story has nothing to do with Aaron and I , but everything to do with the power of Jesus Christ, His redemption, and His grace upon our lives. To God alone be the glory, forever and ever.
