The engagement.

So yea, we're boyfriend and girlfriend now. We went from texting to phone calling and he was  taking me out on a lot more dates which this girl wasn't complaining. :)

We spent most of our days together hanging out with friends, at his house or mine. We spend a lot of time walking on the trail in our woods behind my house where I would often go on Jesus walks to spend time with Him.

The Necklace from Puerto Rico
It was in Mid October when my family held a Harvest Party every year. We'd have a Bonfire, eat s'mos a.k.a S'mores and just spend time with family. Before Leon left he pulled me aside and said with the sweetest voice " I love you Heather, and I know now whom I'm going to marry. I'm sorry that I've dated other girls with the thought that they were you when they weren't and I'm going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you".

He then told me to hold out my hand and he gave me this.

 

It was given to him by a girl he had a romantic relationship with while he was in Puerto Rico for a missions trip.. It wasn't a sexual relationship obviously but he liked her, she liked him and she gave that to him to remember her by. He told me he used to wear it all the time but now he gives it to me as a remembrance that all the time he's given to the women who tried to take my place he will give back to me.

She said yes!

My life was getting difficult and hectic. I have been watching my niece and my friends baby for four years and I decided I had to let them go because I needed to get an actual dependable job considering I was 19 and was getting married at least in the next five years so I needed to start saving. So I made that heart saddening decision to tell my sister and my friend that I needed to get an actual job.

It was November 19th when I called Panera Bread for the 20th time asking them if they had received my application and after they had my voice recognized they finally told me to come in at 4:00pm for an interview. I was so super excited/nervous! I called Leon telling him right away the big news and he came right over. When Leon came he helped me pick out the right outfit to wear and helped me style my hair.. (That's Leon) He was seriously needed.. Before I left doubt seriously got a hold of me telling me that there was  no way they were going to hire me. When I gave into this doubt Leon fought back when I told him "I won't get it" and said "yea, you probably won't. In fact what's the point in going?"  I looked back out of shock and said "Leon, you're supposed to be encouraging me!"  Then he said "I am! I was showing you how horrible doubt has made you sound. You need to think on the positive. If you want this job you can't take no for an answer. You just got to go for it!"  Yes, I'm in love!

So, I went, had my interview and with much excitement I got the job working at one of my favorite places ever! When I came home to give Leon a call telling him the good news I was surprised to see his car in my driveway.. I wondered why he came back to my house after just leaving before I left.

When I walked in Leon was all dressed up which was nothing. The man goes to Panera bread dressed like he's going to church all the time. So I didn't think nothing of it. After hanging around the house for a bit Leon asked me if I wanted to go for a walk on the trail?  Not having a clue what was going on I said "Sure, let me go get my jacket.

So we were walking on the trail. He was wearing his nice monkey suit and I was dressed in sweats and a baggy jacket enjoying the leaves fall had to offer us. There was a certain log in the woods that we used for a bench that we'd often sit on to talk. When we sat he pulled out his bible and I asked "Do you have a word for me Darling?" And he said "Well, lets find out." He gave me his Bible and told me to open it up to Jeremiah 29:11 (our verse) and once I did I saw a beautiful shiny gold ring with a giant diamond. The only thing I could think was "whaaat?" but before I had a chance to say anything, Leon got on his knees and said "Heather, I love you. Will you marry me?"
 
Yes! I said quickly.. I didn't even let him finish the sentence all the way.. This was such a step, a decision that would change our lives forever and yet, it was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. Saying yes to him was just like breathing. It came naturally. 
 

Come back next Friday for part 9.
New to these series? 
 Part one our Journey
part two He walked back into my life
  part three  Sale for Haiti
Part four Next stop Ocean City where all your dreams come true.. or not.
Part five is it too late?
Part 6 Jeremiah 29:11. I realized I was in love.
Part 6. He's my future husband say what?
Part 7 We're official.