Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine

Hahahahah! I am still laughing from this one. My friend Carissa shared this one with me today and I think it is hysterical. I just had to share it with everyone.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8


Enjoy!

Disney Proposal - One Year Anniversary

One year ago today, on September 13, 2008, Anthony proposed to me. It truly was the most wonderful day of my entire life. Honestly, I had wondered if he was going to propose that day, but he was ultimately able to change my mind about that and so it was a total surprise when it actually happened. Here is how the fairytale unfolded . . .

About two weeks prior to the day I mentioned something to Anthony about going to Disney World. For those of you who don't know, I am a HUGE Disney fan. From September through about March are the best times to go to Disney because the weather is generally better and they start decorating for the different holidays. It's just exciting for me to go at those times. Anyway, I had been chomping at the bit to go and was dying to get over there and see the Magic Kingdom all decorated for Fall. Plus we had not spent a day at the Magic Kingdom together before and he hadn't been since he was in like the 8th grade. I can't imagine that!! We talked about it and he said he would have to think about it because, like most people, money was tight. So, I put the idea out of my head because I saw his point.

Well, about a week later Anthony and I were at home and he said to me, "you know, we should go to Disney." I was like, "Really, are you sure we can afford it?" So, needless to say we decided we would go on that coming Saturday. I was beyond excited! Then I started thinking - what would have changed his mind? I know he loves me and wants to make me happy so he could just be doing this because of that - or he could have something else up his sleeve. Then I started talking to my girl friends about it and they too thought something could be up. The just a few days before our day trip Anthony called me at work and asked if there were any nice restaurants at the park that we could eat at. Having been there many times I told him of course, there are a few, but you generally need to have made reservations far in advance to eat at any of them, so most likely we would not be able to get in. So, that idea quietly fell to the side. But, him asking that question gave me even more reason to believe that something could be up. So as not to get my hopes up too much I tried to put these thoughts aside and focus on the fact that we were going to be spending the day together at one of the most magical places on earth and I was going to make sure he had a great time.

So, the day arrived. I got us up bright and early (around 5 o'clock!) so we could get ready and be there as soon as the gates were open. I was determined for us to enjoy every possible moment we would have during their open hours that day. We did arrive right when they opened and we decided to take the ferry boat over to the park. The ride was very nice because the breeze off the water helped cool us off. It was still really hot that September day. We arrived at the Magic Kingdom and I immediately started us off on the map I had already planned out for us. Anthony was more than happy to let me lead the way since this was "my territory." LOL! One of the first things we did was ride the Jungle River Cruise and the driver of the boat picked Anthony out to joke around with through out the whole ride. The guy really had us cracking up and Anthony was a good sport as always. I was so happy that he really seemed to be enjoying himself and I remember thinking how wonderfully perfect he was. :o) He was so cute because he kept asking me if we could go up to Cinderella's Castle, but they had shows going on all day and there was no way to get up there. He looked so disappointed. Awe! So we went about our day and eventually met up with my friend Carissa, who works for Disney, at lunch time. We walked around with her for a short bit and then she headed off to get ready for her work day. She was one of the girl friends a had talked to about this day so I can bet she was also curious about how my day would turn out.

After lunch and meeting with Carissa, Anthony and I continued on enjoying our day. We were able to see Carissa in the day parade and it was really exciting for me to see my best friend doing something she always dreamed of doing. I remember getting chills and even a little teary-eyed seeing her on the float. She was perfectly perfect in every way. :o) I remember Anthony again asking if we could get up to the Castle, but they had it all roped off. He honestly seemed a little sad. So adorable. LOL!

As the day went on and nothing "happened" I decided again that today was not going to be "that" day. But, I was ok because the day was so perfect already and I was enjoying myself immensely. Dinner time rolled around and we found ourselves at a one of the sandwich shops that you could view the Castle from. It was so nice! The sun was starting to set and the Castle looked amazingly beautiful. We were having really nice conversation and the food tasted so good and refreshing after our long hot day outside. Interestingly one of us, can't remember who now, mentioned the idea of us eventually getting married. I do remember telling him that it was something I really wanted and he assured me that as soon as he could afford it he would ask me that all important question. He told me that it might not be for a while yet, but that it definitely would happen someday. He really had me convinced at that point that today was not "that" day. :o( But I was still a very happy and content girl. :o)

After dinner we decided to find a spot to see the night parade and one where we would surely see Carissa again. We ended up on Main Street right by the gates where the parade begins. Sure enough it was a perfect spot to see Carissa and those feelings of pure joy flooded over me again seeing her in the parade. And I even got a special wave and a wink from Mary Poppins herself!! That was really cool! :o) It was a beautiful parade and we decided to follow behind the end of it back up towards the Castle to find a better spot to see the fireworks show. I was so excited to see the fireworks because I had not seen Wishes before.

As we made our way up the crowded Main Street I tried to pull us off to the side where it might be a little less crowded, but Anthony was insisting that we try to get a little closer to the Castle. We went back and forth for a moment between our ideas but I finally decided that this day wasn't just about me and I had been pretty much directing him all day. I thought it was time to let him make a decision especially since he seemed so sure about it. He just knew that the view would be so much better right in front of Cinderella's Castle. So, we found a spot right up front and stood there waiting. We talked about different things and I said I wonder which window of the Castle is to the suite that people can stay in. He of course had no idea but decided he would ask one of the workers who was standing near by. She was guarding the entrance to the ramp that led to the Castle and we heard her telling people that only those with dinner reservations could get by. We figured she should be able to point out the window(s) of the suite. He said while he was doing that it might be a good idea to call my parents and ask how our dog was doing (they were dog sitting for us). So I called my parents and watched as Anthony talked to the Disney cast member, but then got lost staring at the Castle and all the wonderful sights around me.

So I called my parents and found out that everything was fine with Riley, our dog, and told them how wonderful our day had been. Just as I hung up with them Anthony came back over to me. After a minute he took my hand and said, "Come with me." I was immediately confused and asked where we were going. We walked right up to the Disney cast member and she motioned us by! I was like what?!?!?! I asked what was going on and he told me that we had reservations! I was totally caught off guard! He never plans anything! LOL! As we got to the top of the ramp to the Castle entryway Anthony stopped in front of me and turned around. I looked out from the Castle and said. "My goodness look at all the people out there!" There had to be thousands and I felt like they could all see us! As I turned back to him he was going down on one knee!!!! I remember the chills going all over my body, feeling hot and cold all at the same time and my hand going up to cover my mouth in shock. He then said to me, "I love you SO much, will you marry me?" Without hesitation I answered, "ABSOLUTELY!" And then he stood up and we hugged and kissed right up there in front of thousands of people at the entryway to Cinderella's Castle. I don't know how many people actually saw us, but it was all just so magical. Then, he said, "ok, c'mon we really don't have reservations!" LOL! When he went to talk to the cast member about the Castle suite he actually was telling her that he wanted to propose in front of the Castle, had tried all day and this might be his last chance, so was there any way that she would let him take me up there to propose. He said he had pulled the ring out to show her and dropped it! Luckily I missed all that and was totally clueless! LOL! So, as we came back down towards the crowd everyone started cheering for us and the cast member took our picture with the Castle behind us. The moment could not have been more perfect!!

We joined everyone who was seated for the fireworks and I called my parents and he called his. Of course they were all SUPER excited. I also sent texts messages to all our friends to share the good news. During the fireworks we were getting text messages from all our friends congratulating us. It was so much fun.

Still elated with excitement we left the Magic Kingdom after the fireworks. I remember the sense of belonging I now felt towards Anthony. Just that quick I actually felt different. It felt right and perfectly wonderful. Disney World really is the place where dreams come true! And it was just the beginning!