Watching them pass by ...

Our lives won't stop moving, thankfully.

It's time for an update.

So. Yes, I'm engaged. I figured this was the time and place to tell the tale. First, Katie and I have set January 13th as our date. The wedding will be here in Tallahassee, at St. Peter's Anglican(our church).

Katie and I got engaged on August 6th (Sunday), Transfiguration Day, in Santa Fe - my hometown.

We went to New Mexico for the wedding of one of her best friends in high school, and for a short vacation. I picked up the ring (from Marks and Morgan) two days before we left. I carefully packed it into my new backpack and concealed the ring information inside my planner. The airport security check went smoothly ... I envisioned having to propose on the spot if they rifled through my bag. Alas. New Mexico was beautiful; the greenest I've ever seen it. Perfect weather. We stayed at a hostel in Albuquerque. Went up to Sandia Crest, and attended the wedding on Saturday. Day by day, I found it increasingly difficult to talk, or even act like myself (Brooks: did you have this problem too?). We even bickered a bit. I was untalkative, moody, and short. That ring was burning a hole in everything.

Sunday was peaceful and pleasant as we drove up to Santa Fe. I took a backroad - the famous Turquiose Trail. We went to an arts and crafts festival in downtown Santa Fe. Katie bought a lovely scarf and we bought our first Christmas ornament, depicting a coyote. We met my childhood friends for lunch at the Zia diner. When I was waiting for Katie to return from the ladies' room, I glanced nervously and saw dark rain clouds squatting over the Sangre de Christo mtns, the proposed marriage proposal site. I desparately called my dad to run some plan B ideas across him, but got his voicemail and hung up. I decided to stick to my plan. Luckly, my friends put in a good word about the mountains and I'd built up the importance of seeing the views from the mountains, so Katie knew it was important. We drove up. My stomach had a big, dull pit. I don't remember what we talked about, but somehow I managed to chat during the whole drive up. We started up the Aspen Vista Trail, a childhood haunt of mine, as the clouds hovered threatenly overhead. A little thunder greeted us, too. I reassured Katie as we kept forward. I'd forgetten how long the damn trail was ... until you reach any overlooks. We almost stopped for a sitting break on a log. Not my ideal proposal spot. I insisted that we move forward! I was getting ready to turn back. The thunder was keeping up. We were getting a bit tired. It looked like rain any second. I remembered seeing a nice little iron-cast bench at the trailhead. I could propose there ... another bend in the trail. Finally. An overlook. We stopped.

Took a few pictures. Drank some water. Katie wanted to go down; the thunder was making her nervous. I said I just had to sit for a bit on the rock outcropping on the overlook. I braced my legs on the slanted rock and "sat." Katie sat next to me. I was ready. Nope. Took and breath and hestitated. Then did it. Told her there was another reason I brought her up here besides the view. I pulled out the ring (which had been in my front jean pocket all day, the ring box's bulge disguised by my cellphone sitting next to it). Got on my knee and asked her to marry me. She said yes.

We celebrated a bit then scampered down the mountain to beat the rain. I felt like myself again and told her about my planning, calling her dad, etc. I could talk again! We got back to the car just as the rain starting pouring. Whew! We drove over to Eldorado, my childhood home, to enjoy the realization. I drove up to the home my family built. Katie called her family, who were all gathered at her mum's b-day party back in California. I called my family a bit later. We closed out the night with a lovely dinner at Rancho de Chimayo, perhaps my favorite resturant. A fantastic celebration dinner, complete with a pitcher of sangria. A walked around downtown Santa Fe concluded the night.

I must admit that the ring is very striking on her - a 3/8 carat solitaire round-cut diamond. Somehow, it seems we've grown a year or two older when I glance at that ring ...

Yes, everybody is invited to the wedding, and Katie and I will be asking for addresses for invitations when she's done with comps. (comprehensive exam) on September 9th. Please pray for Katie. She's been under emense stress studying for comps. and still has much ground to review.

I'm very excited about seeing everybody in a few weeks. Especially since everybody will be wearing all that finery - wink, wink. Dana, I'm sure you're going to look very lovely in the dress. And Brooks, I'm confident you'll look smashing in the tux, like the superstud you are, you.

Love to all.