engaged :)

Okay, this has been a little slow in coming, but as of Saturday March 14, Stephan and I are engaged.

Here's how it happened:

I had a Saturday evening session of stake conference and Stephan came with me. Scott's in my stake and he sat next to us. Stephan was acting really weird during conference. He kept staring at my left hand while he was holding it. We have been talking about getting married for a while, actually. And we were planning on making it official. After conference, we took Scott home and we decided to get ice cream. We went back to my apartment so I could get my Starving Student Card and a jacket. Then, we went back to the car. When we got in the car, he said: "Let's sit here for a while." I was a little confused because it was a little late and Stephan had an early morning Stake Priesthood Meeting. He put his arm around me and was quiet for a little while. Then, he told me to close my eyes and not to peek. I obeyed, anticipating what was coming. He took my left hand, and I knew what was going to happen. He pulled something from his pocket and put it on my left ring finger. I opened my eyes and he said: "Will you marry me?"

I actually didn't say "yes" right away, but that was because we kissed first (ha ha). After the kiss he said, "You didn't answer." I glared at him and told him "yes". Now this kiss was special because this was the first time we had ever kissed. He told me early on in our relationship that he wasn't going to kiss a girl until he asked her to marry him. We were also each other's first kiss *smiles*. But let me tell you (he is okay with me saying this), practice makes perfect.

We have set a date. In fact, I called the temple this morning. We are getting married in the morning of August 15 in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. My great-Uncle Herschel is a sealer in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and I requested to have him perform the sealing.

Now, why the Mt. Timpanogos Temple? I know I always said that I wanted Salt Lake, but for some reason, I have felt that I would be married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple ever since I knew about it. Even before I saw it. It's also a beautiful temple, as evidenced by a photograph I have included here.
You should see what it looks like at sunrise or sunset. There are aquamarine stained glass windows in the steeple, and at these times of day, the sun makes them glow. It's gorgeous. The grounds are beautiful too.

Another reason is because American Fork is closer to Provo than Salt Lake. I'm graduating the day before I get married, so there will be less of a commute. And Stephan's family lives in Pleasant Grove, not very far away from the temple.

So, now it's planning time. I've already got a friend who will take our engagements (she's amazing with the camera). My mom is reserving Le Jardin (it's an indoor greenhouse in Sandy, UT) for the reception. The plan is to have the sealing in the morning and an afternoon reception. I'm going wedding dress shopping with my Anika and Rachel (my cousins) next week. I picked my colors...years ago. My color will be lavender (my favorite color), but I am not forcing any males to wear it. Though Craig does have a purple tie, so I will ask him to wear that. Ha ha. My future mother-in-law will make and decorate the cake.