Dear World,
I AM MARRYING JORDAN LEAHY.
It has been just about three weeks since Jordan put the ring on my finger. In a few months, I'm going to be Mrs. Leahy, Jordan's WIFE.
So, long overdue, here is my story of our engagement. (Check out Jordan's version here. And read the rest of his blog while you're at it.) I do apologize for the delay.
After a ridiculous journey to Arizona, we finally arrived in Tucson on Saturday, April 11, where we spent the day with Suzanne, David, and John. We spent the day relaxing around the (beautiful) house, soaking in the hot tub, and watching Planet Earth. At one point, soon after we arrived, the rain stopped and revealed the most incredible rainbow that I've seen. Amazing.
Early the next morning, Jordan and I left the house to drive the short distance to Catalina State Park to see the Easter morning sunrise. (A few days earlier, I had received a text message in which Jordan asked me if I wanted to do this...I love mountains, sunrises, and walks, so, I had been excited about it all week.)
We realized pretty quickly that we wouldn't actually be able to get to the top of a mountain to see the sunrise. And, it was a cloudy morning, so, we didn't think we were in for a spectacular sunrise. But, the place itself was spectacular and I was in a state of euphoria from the moment we arrived.
We found a trail and wandered around for about an hour. I was stopping every few feet to look at a cactus, an animal footprint, or a flower. The week leading up to this day had been hellish and exhausting, in every aspect of my life, especially in Jordan and my relationship. But, in that hour, a sense of hope and awe crept back into my weary heart. I was reminded of how big, creative, and loving my God is. It was a perfect morning, I was in the middle of a vast expanse of nothing but earth, with my Savior and with my love.
Something that amazes me about Jordan, and something that I realized a long time before I even admitted that I was in love with him, is the freedom I feel when I am with him. I can be an extremely introverted, private person. I have a difficult time trusting people with my interests and desires. But Jordan not only accepts me, but he loves me, the me who is fascinated with mountains, trees, flowers, sky, colors, and people. The me who likes to skip and hug and whistle and hum random tunes. Even the me who cries uncontrollably and who be joyful one moment and discouraged the next.
Anyway, there we were, walking along among the peace and the freedom when Jordan asked if I was ready to stop for our Easter morning service (of sorts). He gave the options of staying where we were or heading back to the beginning of the trail where we had seen a beautiful old tree (I love trees). Because the tree was near the road, we decided to stay there, and I looked out ahead of us and noticed a big, white rock in the middle of the field. Perched on that rock, Jordan read the four gospel accounts of the Resurrection and I read John 16. After a few minutes, Jordan asked if we could stand up to pray, so that we could "have a better view." This struck me as odd, but I obliged.
At that moment, I had no idea that what I had been dreaming about and impatiently waiting for had finally come. (For a while, I had suspected that he might propose in Arizona (what could be more perfect?), but after the week gone by, I really doubted that Jordan would be ready to commit to me -- I was really quite a wreck.) But, when Jordan wrapped me up in a hug and I felt his heart pounding in his chest (slamming might be more accurate), my suspicions were pricked. Jordan prayed a very pointed prayer, asking God to be the center of our relationship, and thanking him for me. When he finished, he looked at me for a minute and then said, "Lindsey, I love you." He pulled the ring out of his pocket, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him.
My response? "Of course!"
It was so beautiful, so perfect, so much more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. The symbolism was really overwhelming for me. (Maybe you think I'm a bit out there, but that's fine.) Jordan proposed on a rock. Walking back to the trail head, I spotted a dove.
The morning following was equally wonderful. We headed back to the tree at the beginning of the trail and spent some time there. Then we drove back to the house where Suzanne was making breakfast for us. The morning was complete with Easter baskets and eggs, and even time in the gorgeous Arizona sun. I highly recommend morning engagements -- you have the whole day to celebrate! :-)
We'll be like torches, torches together, hand in hand.
