An Engaging Announcement

You guys! Andrew and I have something we’d like to tell you.

Here’s a hint.

Here’s an even better hint.

Here’s the best hint.

Oh my gosh, you guys. Saturday, January 25 was a crazy, shocking, amazing, beautiful day.

I have been back in Colorado for about a week. I am waiting on my visa (#whatelseisnew), and didn’t plan to see Andrew again until my visa comes through and I move to Red Deer!

On Saturday I decided to go to Denver to hang out with Diana. We had planned to have a relaxing day (Treat Yo Self 2014!), shopping at the mall, getting our nails done, and grabbing dinner. I texted Diana and asked if she’d want to meet me at the mall at around 1:30. She never responded to my text. Rude. (I didn’t realize it was all part of the trickery and deception!)

Anyhoo, I ended up at Diana’s house and then we shopped around in the Highlands, and then we went and got manicures and pedicures. (p.s. ask us about the Broncos coach who was there with us getting a pedicure. Or don’t.) After we got our nails did (that’s right did), we headed over to Park Meadows mall. Diana suggested we go to Anthropologie first because it is my favorite store and it is made of beauty and truth and joy and expensiveness.

I picked out some clothes to try on, and the lady led me back to the fitting room. I opened the door, and this is what I saw.

My boyfriend, who I thought was in Canada, was in the Anthropologie dressing room. Obviously.

I saw him and he said, “I have something else I’d like you to try on instead.” And then he got down on one knee and told me some beautiful things that I made him repeat again later (because of all the shock), and then he asked me to marry him. I think I said yes at some point.

You. Guys.

I was so shocked. And so speechless. And so amazed. Our friends Diana and Andy helped coordinate the entire thing. The Anthropologie employees were all in on it. They had decorated the fitting room with candles and flowers, and champagne and truffles. Everyone knew what was going on except for me. All the stalling, the manicures, the suggestions had all been so that Andrew could surprise me and propose. So amazing.

We are hoping to get married in August, and we are so excited!!!

Andrew and I met Easter of 2012. We sat next to each other at a kitchen table and started talking. He liked the dip I had brought to the potluck. We had no clue that we would connect, and hang out, and talk on the phone, and video chat, and visit, and pay hundreds of dollars to fly back and forth from Canada to the States. Life has been really wonderful and life has been tough at times. We have come a long way in the past year and a half, and overall, we have seen God make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

The verse that has come to my mind in the past year — the verse that has now become a reality — is this:

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

Filled with joy! God is good and he has blessed us. We are so grateful.

I think we need a pictorial essay to top off this post. This one is titled, “Mall Madness: Denise and Andrew Got Engaged!!!”

I am starting to realize I’ve just been proposed to.

How are you not in Canada?! What’s happening? Where did this bling come from? We’re in a dressing room!

The Anthropologie folks made this room so beautiful for us!

Andrew’s impression of what I did when the fitting room door opened and he was standing there.

Andy and I are not engaged, but we decided we should take a picture together anyway.

I love this ring.

No one told me I was going to be surprised with an engagement. If they had, maybe I wouldn’t have worn my army jacket? But who knows. I like to make bold fashion choices.

Diana and Andy organized a surprise engagement party with lots of friends from Denver and Colorado Springs!!

Please note the difference in our beautiful descriptions.

I’ve decided I want a teacup piglet petting zoo at the wedding. You’re all invited.

Ok, that is enough already. We’re so excited, guys!!! We are grateful and blessed and thankful for God’s goodness, wonderful family, and supportive friends. We’re also thankful for Anthropologie fitting rooms. New store logo: “The perfect place to commit!” (Just a suggestion, Anthro. If you take it, I’d die for some free bridesmaid dresses in exchange. Thanks!)

Love you all!!

Denise Ruth Morris (soon to be Snyder — that is weird!!)