The Proposal

Jordan came out to Denver to celebrate the new year with me and to meet my family. I was anxious to see how he would possibly make the proposal a surprise when he knew I was anticipating it, and when he was in an unfamiliar place.

*Lesson Learned #1: Jordan is a trickster.

He came in on a Sunday morning and said that he wanted to give himself a few days to get to know my dad before asking him for my hand. On Monday, my mom and sister suggested us girlies go get manicures and pedicures. Jordan and my brother-in-law pretended they would miss us and pulled out the Wii and said they'd "watch the kids" (aka. occasionally listen for crying and high-five each other about the diversion). My dad left for work at the same time that we left to pamper ourselves and we all drove off together. Little did I know, my dad drove around the neighborhood and came back to have a little interview with Jordan. I came home later with pretty finger- and toenails and completely clueless about what had just occurred. I spent the next two days ignorantly trying to create opportunities for Jordan and my dad.

*Lesson Learned #2: Trust Jordan--he's on top of things.

On the morning of Wednesday, December 30, 2009, my parents, my sister, and her husband decided to go to the temple together. Jordan and I offered to watch her toddler and infant, but they decided to take the toddler to another sister's house where he could "play with other children" (aka. get out of Jordan's way). We kept the baby and I blissfully watched Jordan cradle and cuddle him all morning. The baby fell asleep in his arms and Jordan put him in the other room. Immediately he came to me and asked me to play the piano for him. I hesitantly obliged. Just as I finished he said, "Okay, my turn!" and practically pushed me off of the bench. (Side note: Jordan is athletic and academic. As handsome as he is equals how tone deaf he is. I love it. It is his most endearing quality.) He played me "Mary Had A Little Lamb" with sweet mistakes here and there. Then he said, "Hold on, let me try something easier." He then proceeded to play full chords with both hands. I was SHOCKED. To the melody of Michael Buble's "I Just Haven't Met You, Yet," he flawlessly sang me this song:

A semester to wait

I'll never give up.

I guess it's half timing

And the other half's luck.

Wherever you were

When it became right

You came out of no where

And into my life.

And I know that we can be super amazing.

And baby your love is gonna change me.

And now I can see every possibility.

And somehow I know that it will all turn out.

And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out.

And I promise, Carly, that I'll give so much more than I get.

I just haven't wed you, yet.

*Lesson Learned #3: Jordan will do something completely out of his comfort zone to make me happy.

At this point, I thought that he still hadn't talked to my dad (because we had spent every waking moment together) so I hugged him and kissed him and told him how wonderful he was, and how proud I was of him. He looked at me and said, "Hold on, I'm not done," and pulled the ring out from behind the couch and knelt down. He did it. He surprised me. I gasped and laughed and after he asked me if I would marry him, I screamed, "Yes!" Before I even got the ring on my finger I yelled, "when did you ask my dad??"

*Lesson Learned #4: You can practically see Jordan's heart beating through his shirt when he's nervous.

I love that he proposed in my home. I love that he worked tirelessly the week before to learn that song for me. I love that he loves me enough to keep me forever. I love this man!