Love Story Proposal

I am so happy to share this beautiful moment with you. Sorry it has taken us so long to fill you in. :)

Ok… We have known we are getting married for a while, but with James being gone on the trail most of the time, things are a little different. :)

We have been making plans, running around with logistics etc, but just needed this last little piece (A ring and asking the sweet question) to make it official :)

I'll have to fill you in on our entire story another time. It has been quite an adventure, but I would not trade a single moment. For our relationship is so deep, rich and beautiful, because of the work we have both put in, this 4+ years.

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Here is the story from the last couple days and the engagement night.

My roommate, Bethany, asked me a couple weeks ago if she could book me for the evening of March 28th. I had told my friends that when James was home from the trail I was completely unavailable for hanging out, for most of my time was spent with him…. So her asking was suspicious from the beginning… haha

I assumed that it was probably the night that James was going to propose, but I played it cool and naive… haha I plotted in my little head about how I was going to make sure I got enough sleep that week, bought a new outfit etc. I was going to be ready!!!

A couple days ago I was working out with that same roommate and I decided to ask her what I was suppose to wear for friday evening. This was her response: "Something you can run in…" "WHATTTTT?! WHY?!" was my reaction… (I can imagine my facial expression was priceless… haha)  It through me off, big time. Every idea I had mentally come up with was suddenly crushed and I was left completely in the dark. haha My mind was boggled… "Maybe he wasn't proposing that night" I thought….

A couple days went by and James came home from the trail (Wednesday March 26th) I was so excited to see him. The next day was my birthday (Thursday, March 27th) and we had a fun day. We went to breakfast with his Anasazi coworkers and I got a free blueberry muffin after my meal, with a melted pink candle, which I shared. :D Then I drove around and picked up free food from a bunch of restaurants for us. Then James and I went up to my favorite place in the mountains. At the end of exploring we ended up on a little hill in the middle of the most beautiful valley where we held each other close and watched the sunset over the rolling mountains.

I was beautiful. He was so romantic. I wish I could have recorded the words he spoke to me.

The thing I love so much about James is he speaks from his heart. He has never once spoken something to me that he didn't mean or feel. Even when I wanted him to feel, be or say something, he never once "told me what I wanted to hear" or "beat around the bush." He has always been honest with how he felt. 

So when he does speak, especially of love, it is so powerful. It fills my soul with so much joy and connects me to him even more.

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He gave me 4 gifts for my birthday, each symbolizing something beautiful.

The first 2 gifts he gave me on the mountain. He made each of them while out on the trail. :)

The hand carved spoon symbolizing his promise to provide for my needs and take care of me. The dream catcher symbolizing his desire to also be one to help catch my dreams, that they may come true. These were such perfect gifts. I love him. <3

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SOOOO the day finally came (Friday March 28th)

I woke up to a phone call from my friend Rosa who informed me that I was going to be picked up at 6:45pm and I was going to be blindfolded, first thing. I freaked out again. "WHAT???!!!" I seriously didn't know what was going to happen now…

I was picked up, given a little note as a clue, blindfolded and driven far far away into never-never-land. (If you ever want to simulate the feeling of flying in a plane: Ride blindfolded on the freeway… haha)

We arrived and took the longest walk of my life (because I was blindfolded) to a mystery place. (Rosa and Rachel were my escorts) It ended up that we were playing laser tag!!! This is one of my favorite things! 

James and a whole bunch of my friends and family were there too. (I had been told James wasn't invited, so it was a pleasant surprise to see him!) We played 2 rousing laser tag games. I ran and screamed like a little girl many many times… haha ;)

I then was told to say good bye to everyone and I was to leave. I then was blind folded again, given another clue, and we drove for another 500 years… haha (Time really does slow down when you have no clue what is happening)

(This is when things started to get sentimental= me emotional)

We got to our next stop and they walked me through some wet grass (Which felt quite interesting and unexpected between my little toes haha) to a forever distance again. I was stopped and told to open my eyes. I was standing under a beautiful tree where it was to symbolize the beauty of my soul and where my heart truly lies: in the beauty of the earth, and to always remember this piece of me. This made me really happy. 

We then walked up some stairs to Rosas apartment where she handed me a bag of clothes and accessories to put on. In the bag were some of my own clothes (I have no idea how I didn't recognize all of that stuff was gone out of my closet)

I silently put the outfit, accessories and heals on, for my heart was so full from the love of everyone involved, this was a team effort… :')

The amount of effort put into this whole night meant so much to me. I've never had an entire night dedicated to me and my happiness.

I looked and felt beautiful.

I was then to close my eyes again as we drove to our final destination.

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We arrived and they led me through the door and into a room where they sat me in a comfy chair. I opened my eyes and there was another chair to my left and a camera man in the corner. James soon came and sat in the chair next to me. He then gave me my third gift.

He hand carved this stone for me. It symbolizes his love for me and that I have his heart. ( I held on to this little heart the rest of the time. It is a privilege :) )

He then explained that each person I loved was then going to take a turn having an individual moment with me. Then, one by one, each person came in and sat in the chair next to me, and the camera man recorded it. They each had a token or card they had written, and spoke from their heart about how they love/appreciate me. I love each of these people so deeply, for they are my dearest friends. This truly touched me and meant the world to me. Rosa was the last one and spoke of the pieces of my life that were changing.

At that moment I was then prompted to turn my chair around. ( I had been facing the back of the room)

All of my loved ones stood there, with James standing in the very front, dressed in a handsome suit. He then took my hand to stand me up. He spoke to me such beautiful words. (Eye contact is the best "invented thing" when love is spoken) He is so poetic and wonderful.

He then got down on one knee, pulled a red little box from his suit pocket and asked "Diana, will you marry me?"

"I would love to." I said

My fourth gift. :)

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Tonight was perfect.

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It is interesting how a one sentence/question can make you feel so much closer to a person.

He and my friends planned so well. I felt loved and special. Thank you for all involved

I love Him.

I'm marrying the man I have loved for many many years. <3

I am blessed.

Dreams do come true.

Love Dreamer Di

Challenge: Love, and be loved.

Words: Red Roses

Facing Fear

I'm figuring out more and more that taking a leap of faith requires facing your fears.

In order to face them you have to feel them, call them out, and move against them.

This isn't always easy.

Fear is usually created from a past experience or pain, so doing the opposite of what you feel can be challenging, but it is possible, and worth it.

I am grateful for the people in my life who present opportunities for me to face my fears and choose faith. 

I'm just realizing how important these moments are. 

If we want our lives to be better, we must change. If we want to change we must face our fears and work through comfort zones. 

I'm just realizing how blessed I am to be feeling fear and choosing to press through it.

I've heard there is beauty on the other side. :)

It's worth giving it a try.

Keep going,

Dreamer Di

Challenge: if you have something you know you should do, face your fear and accomplish it. You'll feel better when it's finished:)

Words: Quilt and cozy 

Campfire Love Letters

I am learning a lot about love.

My man works for Anasazi, a wilderness therapy program for youth, as a trail walker.  He goes hiking through desert terrain for 8 days and comes back home for 6, then leaves again. The first day he was on the trail I felt like he had died. It was the first time in the 4 years I had known him and I didn't have even a choice to contact him or talk to him. I have since grown to really like the distance though. It makes each moment with him more meaningful, anticipated and enjoyable. 

From the very beginning he started writing me letters to read while he was away. He has a couple hours of night watch and writes me letters by the fire. They explain to me what he learned that day, how he feels for me, and smell of delicious campfire smoke.

I too have started writing him a letter for each day he is on the trail... It helps us remain connected while we are apart. It has been amazing to see our bond grow, even being miles and miles away, without a sound of each others voice or touch of a hand. 

He left this morning for the trail, so I won't be seeing him for a while. 

We exchanged letters last night for this next week. I read his first letter today and I will share a short exert that created thought.

(I read the letters that he wrote the last time he was on the trail, hence the date)

February 20th, 2014 Thursday

"I learned today that people are not made to be alone. A person alone will often never see themselves for who they really are, for they get stuck in their own imperfect ideas and they cannot advance. But, when the individual  becomes a group, or just a couple, the other can see things more clearly in another, and they can provide the support and truth to each other that isn't there when one is solitary."

This is true! I am learning more and more that I need people to progress and become better. I can only go so far by myself. I am also finding that love is the motivating force between people. When you love someone you want them to become their best self, you help them, support them, and lift them up.

Let us love each other. I hope to be a support to the people I love.

May you love and be loved my friends,

Dreamer Di

Challenge: Talk to God about love.

Word: Peace