HOW THE ENGAGEMENT WENT DOWN...

HER SIDE:
Jay was adamant upon going to see the sunrise early Tuesday morning up on Cheha Mountain at an outlook called Bald Rock. Since sunrises are pretty much one of my favorite things ever, I was very excited that he wanted to take me up there! So once we got up to the parking for Bald Rock while watching parts of the beautiful sunrise on our way up, we walked down to the look out. It was extremely cold, mostly because it was so windy, but Jay was very determined to see that sunrise and enjoy it from Bald Rock so we proceeded with blankets and jackets on. Once we got to the look out it was much warmer, with the rocks blocking the blistering wind. We sat there for about 15 minutes, enjoying the sunrise and the promise of God's new mercies. As we talked and just enjoyed being with each other, all of a sudden Jay got up and started to take off his gloves. It was not THAT warm up there so I asked him why he was doing that when he had just told me that his hands were cold. Then he got down on one knee and told me that he had to ask me something. Then he popped the BIG one :) It was a HUGE suprise and a very big shock. Took me awhile to actually realize what was happening. Was so thankful that he had also planned for his mom to come and take pictures while the proposal happened. She suffered much cold and that I will forever appreciate. It was the perfect morning and such a picture of God's grace and faithfulness!!! To God alone and always be the glory!

HIS SIDE:
I went all over the world and had to kill a guy to get the ring. Not really, but I did have to special order the setting. I wanted it to be perfect. I went to pick Melissa up in Florence, Mississippi, where her family would be for Christmas. I got to talk to her dad in the garage while we were pretending to be putting up some luggage. It was a little bit awkward, but I'm glad I could ask him and I greatly respect him for the way he treated me and for how he accepted me. Melissa and I talked the 4 1/2 hours to Alabama away, and enjoyed each other. The next day, we just hung out and didn't really do much. We don't mind not having anything to do when we can be together. That evening, we went up the Mountain to see the sunset. It was cold, but it was amazing. Then I acted like I randomly wanted to go up to see the sunrise, when I had actually decided that I was going to propose there a long time ago. When we got up, it was freezing! We packed blankets and jackets and gloves. I went out and turned the truck on early so it could get nice and warm! When we got to the Mountain park, it was even colder. We bundled up and began walking out to Bald Rock. When we got there we climbed down to the rock face where we could see, I took my gloves off. I didn't want to drop the ring. Then I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me, and she said YES! God has really blessed me much more than I deserve. His grace in my life is amazing.