We're engaged!

On New Year's Eve, Joel Bradley, a most wonderful man God has placed in my life, asked me to marry him.

Joel and I met Aug. 15, 2007. Mike Braun (a former CBA coworker) was living in Joel's house at the time. Mike thought since Joel and I have a lot in common (love for Jesus, hiking, skiing, biking, music, travel, etc...) and our personalities are very similar, that we should meet. Turns out he was right!

Though we have not known each other long, Joel and I know we want to spend the rest of our lives together. We've been talking about this for awhile, so the proposal didn't come as a shocking surprise—yet nevertheless delightful.

Joel had planned a New Year's Eve (NYE) ski getaway in Winter Park (WP), where he owns a townhome. Though we invited some friends and family, he told me we'd have a romantic dinner alone on NYE.

The two of us drove up Sun. Dec. 30 with the others to follow later in the day. However, soon after we arrived in WP in near whiteout conditions, all the mountain passes and I-70 closed. Close friends, the Thompsons (who have a place nearby), had made it to WP, so we did a late-Christmas gift exchange there. Impressively, they all knew what was to come (including 3 young-ish boys) but didn't say anything.

Monday, Dec. 31, we woke up to sub-zero temps and high winds, so decided not to brave the ski hill. We opted for a short cross-country stint in the afternoon—after Joel did some errands. He had a good excuse to get out of the house and not take me, since the fire alarm downstairs had been chirping incessantly the day before. Unbeknownst to me, he picked up flowers and delivered them to Devil's Thumb Ranch, where we'd be having dinner. He also called my parents (which wasn't difficult for him since we'd spent Thanksgiving together) to officially ask permission.

Devil's Thumb is a rustically beautiful, picturesque lodge. We sat down to a 5-course meal. I could tell he was nervous, but we conversed with relative ease. After our dessert plates had cleared, Joel confessed his love for me and said he'd vowed never to tell a woman that unless he wanted to marry her. After many other kind and sweet words, which I'm not currently able to quote verbatim, he asked me to be his wife. Of course, I said yes (with glee and glimmers of tears)!

The ring he gave me originated with his great-grandmother. It was passed through generations, and his dad gave it to his mom upon their engagement. It's a spectacular solitaire diamond set on white gold. Its history and longevity as a symbol of lifelong commitment bring great privilege and responsibility, and I'm honored to wear it.

The wait staff subsequently brought out the flowers and two glasses of Champaign. We raised glasses again at the Thompsons, where a neighborhood crowd had gathered to congratulate us (and ring in the New Year).

We are excited about the year to come, and talking about a late-summer wedding. To see more photos, go to Joel's web site: http://www.houseofjoel.com/houseofjoel/photos/personal/2007Engagement/.