We're engaged!

On August 1, 2009, I asked Chassidy Anelle Smith to be my wife, my helper, and partner in advancing the gospel throughout the world. It was closing day, week 9 at the Pine Cove Shores and Chassidy was coming for one of her usual weekend visits. My parents were also coming out and we were going to have lunch with them. About 10:30am, Chassidy arrives. I greet her with a great, big smile and butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. I take her to her parking spot while walking beside her car and holding her hand through the window. My girl was here! She is wearing a beautiful sundress that went to her pretty knees. It was white and had blue floral print around the collar. Here hair was down, no braid, and pinned with bobby pins. She wore brown sandals and a beautiful light blue and brown necklace. She looked BEAUTIFUL! She was radiant. I stuck my head in the car and gave her a kiss on the cheek while wearing my closing day attire. I opened her door, helped her out of the car, took hold of her hand, and we floated to the gym. She caught the attention of many, turning heads, and making people say, “Who is that cute girl with Jack Jack?” People later told me that they thought we were engaged or at least should have been. One girl even told me that after closing celebration she saw Chassidy and I standing by her car and because Chassidy was wearing a white dress the girl said to herself, “They’re going to get married soon.” When I introduced her at our staff meeting as my girlfriend, Chassidy, one of my friends said to himself, “No, that’s your fiancé! Or at least, should be.” So my parents, Chas and I, and Chance Coe went to On the Border for lunch. My parents asked if Chas and I would ride with them, which was strange because we always ride separate because Chas and I always stay in Tyler after eating lunch with my parents. We decided to ride with my parents and we went to lunch. I got two chicken enchiladas and one cheese enchilada and she got tortillas and queso blanco. My parents got the Border Sampler and Chance got a chimichanga. So we left On the Border and headed back to camp. We got to camp and my parents dropped us off at Chassidy’s car. We said our goodbyes and then they left. I told Chassidy that I had a present for her and that I was going to go get it and I would meet her back at the car. She agreed and went to the restroom while I got the gift. I went in and got a briefcase that I have been collecting letters, books, and other significant things about Chas and I. I got the brief case out of my office at the Shores and I went and stoodd by her car and waited for her to come out of the restroom. As I am standing there, I got this overwhelming feeling and I thought to myself, “The ring is in that office. Go get it and propose to her!” So I went in the gym before she saw me and I went to the safe where the ring was being kept. LOCKED. AH! It’s never locked! So I turned it on a whim to the last number and I opened! SUCCESS!!! So I got the ring out and put it in the briefcase. I took out my phone and called my mom to tell her I was about to propose. Right when she answered, Chassidy walked in. So what did I do? I said, “Ok man, well I’ll call you when we get back into Tyler.” My mom was super confused so she said, “um…ok…bye.” After I hung up the phone I said, Chas, here is your present. She knew something was really special about the briefcase because I would never let her look inside of it. So she said, “Why are you giving my your briefcase?” I responded, “Because it’s a special day.” In her head, she was trying to figure out why this day was special. I then said, “Let’s go out to the dock and we will look through this briefcase together.” She agreed and as we were going out to the dock, I called my mom back. I’m making small talk so that everything seems normal. I thanked them for coming out to Pine Cove, for lunch, and then as we were getting closer to the top level of the dock [where we had our first Pine Cove date, dance, and first talked about marriage under the stars and lying with one another under a blanket to stay warm] where I wanted to propose I told my mom, “By the way, y’all might want to turn around because I am about to propose to Chassidy” [remember, Chassidy was right next to me hearing this conversation]. She stopped and got really scared, excited, nervous, joyful, teary eyed, all at the same time. I took hold of her hand and then hung up the phone. I put the briefcase down, opened it up, took the ring out, got down on my right knee and said, “Chassidy Smith…” She said, “Oh Gosh.” “Chassidy, will you marry me?” Tears ran down her face as she said yes. I told her, “Chassidy, I want you to be my helper and to be used together to advance the gospel throughout the world.” She then bend down and kissed me. I stood up and kissed her real good. We hugged and then jumped excitingly saying, “We’re engaged! We’re engaged!” We then went back to the gym and I got to take her through the briefcase and show her everything that was inside. My parents arrived shortly after that. We hugged and rejoiced and they prayed over us. It was a beautiful time of love, and joy, and tears. After that, we went to Starbuck and celebrated over a cup of coffee, phone calls, and text messages. It was raining [blessing]. We then went from there to Barnes and Noble where I bought a new Bible and I bought a new wedding magazine for Chassidy. After Barnes and Noble we went to Chili’s where we got baby back ribs, loaded mashed potatoes, and sweet corn. It was such a beautiful evening. The day ended at the Shores. We parked in the parking lot, opened the moon roof to look at the stars, rolled the windows down and talked. I thanked Father for a blessed, beautiful day. I had no intention of proposing but the Lord had other plans in mind. He orchestrated this day beautifully and perfectly like he always does. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. To God be the glory!

John