The Thicken-ized Plot: Her Side of the Engagement Story In Her Own Words
[If you missed it, you can Read the full story here.]
I think I keep putting off writing my side of the story because Seth’s writing is SOO good. I don’t know about you, but KINDA intimidating.
Just a little bit of insight before I start into my side of the ‘it’.
Seth hates cliché. I knew that. Earlier that week and weeks prior he randomly would say to me, “So how bout we just get engaged 1 day before and surprise everyone? Or we could do it a week before…”I never really would say a whole lot about it, just look at him, shake my head, and say, “Whatever Seth…” Of course I didn’t want to wait a week before we got married. My first thought was that my mom would freak if Seth waited that long. Second thought was, C’mon Seth that’s part of what a girl waits for, being engaged to the love of her life (and maybe showing off the ring) ;). Either way, I didn’t agree with the 1-week engagement. Still… knowing Seth, he’s determined and will do what he wants to. So I prepared myself to wait for another month or so before it would become ‘official’.
I also didn’t think it would happen anytime soon because about two days prior to September 18th, Seth brought up the style of ring and different ideas for it a couple different times. When we started using the M-word instead of saying ‘the actualness’, he asked me if I would be okay with him picking out the ring himself. I just said “sure, but it depends on what your taste is.” He told me he had a ring in mind that he had always wanted to get his future wife and when he told me that, I knew that’s what he would get, even if I wanted something way different. I told him just to get me a band with little diamonds lined in it and I would love it.
So I knew it wouldn’t happen at least for a little bit. I figured the picnic planned for Wednesday was just because we hadn’t ‘gone on a date’ for a while because I worked until 9 every night during the summer. I didn’t happen on Wednesday because ‘he had a soccer game’, which he didn’t even play in. (Not knowing the real reason he didn’t want to go…the ring wasn’t in yet.) Thursday after I got off, I get a text from Seth that says, “Hey you hot mamma! wanna go to the beach?” I replied with a laugh and of course say yes.
I expected him to be home before I got home because he told me before he left for work that he got off at 6. When I got home I went straight over to his apartment, he wasn’t there. Odd. I text him to see where he was and he said he would be home in 15. He didn’t say anything about what we would eat, so I thought that a little weird too, but asked him if I should make tuna fish sandwiches the way that he likes them.
So here’s where my on and off thoughts begin. When I was making the sandwiches, I thought, what if he asks me tonight? Would he really? No… he asked me what I wouldn’t want for a ring two days ago, it couldn’t be possible. He was adamant about waiting until right before, to get engaged. But what if? I was still in my work clothes (basketball shorts and a T-shirt) so I ran upstairs and changed.. first because I knew he would be looking good in a nice button up shirt and I didn’t want to be looking like a scrub; second, what if he WAS going to propose?
He took a LONG 15 minutes. My mind was going back and forth as to what was really going to happen. He comes and picks me up.
“So did you have to stay later or something?”
“Ya we’re all working on a project that needs to be finished.”
I notice he has his camera. Seth never really brings his camera. Hmmm?? But then again, this was picture worthy; watching the sunset on the ‘beach’. We drive to Utah lake. I honestly don’t remember if he was awkwardly silent on the way. We get to Utah Lake and I, in all honestly, was trying to look for some hint that he was going to propose. No box looking thing in his jean pockets.
I really just wanted to be ‘officially engaged’ to Seth. I didn’t want to wait for another month. I wanted to tell people that I was marrying Seth so that I could ‘officially’ be his.
We get out of the car and are instantly attacked by thousands of mosquitoes. We laid out our blankets, but it was CRAZY. So we walk over to a table to see if it’s any better. Nope. We walked back to the car and then started eating our sack lunches in the car. He wasn’t talking much. I thought something was wrong. Neither of us say much when we have a lot on our mind. I figured it was just work, so I tried to make small talk to get something out of him. We finish and he says that we’ll just wait to go on a walk when it gets dark. So we sit in the car, saying nothing… watching the mosquitoes.
(Here’s what I was thinking at this moment.. ‘ok if he really is going to propose, what is he waiting for?) haha.
Then he pulls out his phone and looks as though he was calling someone…so I think.. maybe he is calling someone to give them a ‘cue’. Seth was looking rather closely to all cars that were driving towards us. More silent sitting.
(I’m thinking at this point, why did he bring me out here for a nice picnic and walk if he’s not even going to talk to me? Usually when we have gone on walks or sat somewhere, we talk non-stop about nothing and everything all at the same time.
We then drive to the end of the jetty, I thought he would do it out there. Nope, just driving around till the mosquitoes go away. We stop by the sandy area and he says he’s gonna go see how bad it really is. Gets out, walks over to the sand and starts swatting at the mosquitoes and kicking around the sand ( what in the world is Seth doing?) and eventually bends down to pick something up. ( Did he hide the box in the sand?) He comes back and gets in the car and says it’s still really bad. I look for that box looking thing in his pocket again. No sign of it, just his camera in the pocket.
He starts driving away slowly. (Ok, it’s not going to happen, or he would have asked already) “I really wanted to go on a walk dang it!” I suggest the park by Wal*Mart. I really like that park. “Does it have a fountain?” I responded that I didn’t know. (What in the world does he need a pond for? I think I’m on to it again, did he want to propose by the fountain?)
He suggests we walk up to JFSB fountain. I told him if he really wanted a pond we could go to the one by the bell tower. He said he had no idea what I was talking about so I told him that I would show him. He pulled off the innocence of not knowing what I was talking about on that one really well.
We get home, I put the stuff away and he comes over and we start walking up to campus. I thought we were just going to stop at the JFSB. But no, we kept walking. I was REALLY tired by that time ( I usually start getting ready for bed at 10 and it was 9:45) and I had to go the bathroom REALLY bad. We stop at the HFAC. Then continue walking toward the manmade river/fountain place. I just wanted to get there. We got there and started walking toward the actual fountain, passed a boy from home sitting on a bench with headphones in. I couldn’t tell if it was him or not so I texted my sister to see if he was even college age. Seth picked up a few rocks because he said he wanted to skip them. So he throws one in and it just, plops. “Nice skip Seth.” (Sarcastically)
We sat at the fountain on some rocks, more silence with random conversation. I was tired. (again…Why would he walk he all the way over here and not talk?) We snap a few pictures and I keep going until the battery says its low. He took the camera from me and says, “We have to save battery.” (I was onto it again, why didn’t he just ask right there? What was he really waiting for if he was going to do it?) More silence.
After the boy leaves, we walk over to the bench and sit down. He picks up more rocks on the way over and throws them in. (Me thinking… Seth is soo random sometimes)
We get to the bench and he says that he forgot the camera and he runs to go get it, on his way back over he started picking up rocks again. I ask him what he’s doing and he just says, “oh, just skipping some rocks” Meanwhile, I was distracted by texting my mom and sister to see if the boy really was in college.
Seth comes back with his socks and shoes off and I look at him like, why in the world do you have your shoes off? He answers, “I was just playing in the water.” I just laugh, there’s randomness again.
We sit on the bench and talk randomly about ducks and not much else. He asks how good of an imagination I have. (I’m on to it and ready to say yes.) He totally dodges the question and doesn’t care for an answer, but it gave us something to actually talk about so I continue to answer.
(If he wants to propose, just do it. I’m ready to say yes. Ive been wanting to say yes forever now.)
We sit some more wondering why he’s so quiet but ok with just sitting there with him and looking at him. (hmmm..So handsome, but confusing the heck out of me right now.)
The freshman come and I find it quite hilarious. We sit forever it seemed like and then he says, “We’ll shall we go?” (Bummer, I’m just being hopeful to him proposing, when it’s not really going to happen. He’s just acting weird tonight and just not talking. I guess he just is in one of those moods to just be with me. Not talk, but just be next to me.)
Now were walking back to main campus over to the JFSB. (Okay maybe he really is going to propose? If not, we would just go straight home, or maybe he just wants to go there cuz he loves that place.) We get there and it looks like a guy is proposing to a girl… (Wow, that’s awkward) We continue to walk, walking passed the presidents old house bench. (Ooh perfect. That would be romantic if he just asked me there) Nope we keep walking.. over to where the grassy hill is. (This is where he’ll ask) Girls where there so I suggest that we sit on the other side of the huge tree so they can’t see us. Seth says he just wants to go home because he’s tired. ( okay I’m just being hopeful again, he’s not going to propose for another month. ) At that moment I kind of felt bad for thinking he was going to propose all night.
We get home and sit on the steps. My roommate comes over and talks. His friends joins us. We’re sitting there, Seth not talking to me, just sitting. By that time I was SOO tired I couldn’t even really think anymore. We go inside, I stand on my usual step so I can gie him a better hug and so that he doesn’t have to bend down so far to kiss me. ? He gives me a goodnight hug and kiss, and I go upstairs to get ready for bed. (Shame on me for thinking that he was going to propose.) I felt anxious, knowing I was going to have to wait now for a pretty long time.
I heard them talking because my roommates window was open. I knew someone would ask him when he was going to ask me and I wanted to know! I sat at her window and listened for a bit. My roommate asks Seth, “Where’s the ring?? When is it gonna happen? Come on already?” I strained to hear what Seth said. Couldn’t hear a thing. (I’m being a snoop and just need to go to bed. I want it to be a surprise, because I don’t really get surprised. I pick up on things too easily or look for clues.) I remember being 100 percent completely surprised only one time; few years ago for my 20th birthday, by my roommates.
I get into bed and start to fall asleep. I’m almost in my deep slumber when I hear my phone start to ring. (Who in the world is calling me right now? It’s Seth. Should I answer it? What if he’s calling me out and saw me through my roommates window listening to them? Oh well I’ll answer it. ) “Hey girl, what you doing?”
(Um…sleeping Seth) “Hey…”
“Come out here, there’s something I want to show you.”
“I was almost asleep.”
“Get dressed and come out here.”
(Are you serious Seth? Ok fine, I wasn’t all the way asleep, I guess I can go down.)
“Okay”
(At this point I was so tired, half asleep and it past midnight. (I’m never up this late, what am I doing? What is he doing waking me up? Proposing? )
I walk outside and see him in a really nice car. Seth loves cars. (Are you serious Seth, you woke me up for this, a joy ride? Ok I’ll do this for you because I know you’re excited about this car.) I wasn’t mad, just tired and wanted to fall asleep and half thinking, “Are you kidding me?”
I get in the car still thinking he might actually do it. Nope.
“Isnt this car sweet? I can take these corners so sharp so fast.”
We drive around, I’m tired, but laughing because he’s like a little boy in this nice car. We get to the bottom of Y mountain. He parks and says, “Isn’t this a pretty view?” Then we drive away up to a higher place. Park for a few minutes then drive away again. (What is he doing?!?! Okay… okay… he’s having fun… he’s having fun…) We drive away and I thought we were going to go home, but he missed the turn. I was about to remind him, but just let it be. He all the sudden flips a U-y, stops in the road, puts it in park and says, “Get out of the car.” (Huh? You for real?) I was going to get out of the car by myself but Seth gets mad when I get out by myself, so I waited for him. Okay he doesn’t get mad, but prefers that he open it for me.
He opened my door, I get out as he’s trying to pick the flower, and he has kind of a difficult time. (Is he really picking me a flower? How sweet.) I thought he pulled over all the sudden so he could just randomly pick me a flower.
“This is for you.” (I just love Seth, so cute.)
[PAUSE]
“So what I’ve been TRYING to do is propose to you all night!”
“Are you serious?!?!” (Okay so I had thought that he might earlier but every hope went away after I ‘went to bed’. But serious? Is this really happening?)
He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!!!!!
“YES!!”
I hugged him and honestly in one motion had the one band with the row of diamonds in his hand and says, “Here’s a start.” Puts it on my finger. (I love it. I was completely happy.) He picked me up off my feet and hugged me and then lowered me and kissed me on my forehead.
Then sets me down.
Then he pulls out the engagement ring, while saying, “Well hopefully this fits.”
“What???” (Are you serious? That’s huge and bigger than anything I expected or have ever wanted.. OH my word, GORGEOUS)
At this point, I was completely out of it and so ecstatically happy that I was speechless and didn’t know what to say. Then he puts his hand in his pocket while saying again, “Well good that fits, so hopefully this one fits.”
(Are you for serious?!?! No way) Puts the last piece on my finger.
“Wow!” “Is this real? Is this moment all real?”
All I could say, I was smiling from ear to ear, so completely happy and laughing because I really couldn’t believe it. We hugged for a little bit then got back in the car.
(This ring is gorgeous and soo much more than I’ve ever dreamed of. It’s beautiful!!!)
I was just smiling and giddy like a little girl. I was pretty much hyperventilating and I couldn’t say anything because I was completely, blissfully happy beyond anything that I thought being happy could really be.
We get back and take some pictures and walk over to where my sister was sitting and talking. Takes her a while to notice the ring but then freaks.
(Wow I’m engaged, to someone whom I dreamed of marrying.)
Show off the ring and am still on cloud nine.
I couldn’t sleep at all that night, I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning all night and the next day and still to this day.
I didn’t think I could love someone this much and know and hear that it will only get better. WAHOO!! Seth is amazing. I can’t wait to be his wife for eternity. I am so blessed to have met him and blessed that he was so patient with me when I first officially met him. I am so lucky that he stuck around, knowing that I would come around when I was still ‘indifferent’. ;)
I feel so bad that I was always thinking, “why is he even talking me on this picnic or walk if he’s not even going to talk to me? If only I knew what he was going through all night. He’s just amazing.
Nov. 29th seems soo far away….
I added a comment on your own personal blog, Janica. But decided to leave one here, too. I read it as soon as I got off Skype with you last night, but was too tired to comment, then. I read it again today. You did a wonderful job in making the story all come together & made the whole episode complete and whole, just how I picture the two of you, coming together in marriage to become as one and have a complete and whole union. How exciting, how fun, how romantic, just so perfect it seems. What more could we ask as parents, but to see the two of you so happy & so ready to become an eternal family. Our joy is full. We love you forever! MOM & DAD
HILARIOUS Seth!!! You did such an awesome job explaining what you were going through the entire evening that I could picture the whole scene (all 10 or so of them) and I was laughing out loud through most of it. Way to be persistent buddy. Looking forward to meeting Janica and wishing you both happy in person. =) Congrats to both of you!
Thanks Janica for completing the story. You both are great. And thanks for sharing with the rest of us. I can’t wait to see the both of you together. I’m actually surprised that Seth hasn’t brought you down to Cedar to meet us. Maybe he’s been to preoccupied. Hope to see ya soon.
Janica! Congrats! The story is awesome and makes me think back to my engagement. Just an exciting time. Enjoy it! So, I’m dying to see what this ring looks like! Where are the pictures????
Reminds me when I prayed to know if I should propose to Seth’s Aunt Rhoda all I could think of was DUHHHHHH.It’s nice to know you weren’t really surprised but relieved and happy. That’s the way it should be .
Love your’e future Uncle Matt Welcome!!!!
i love it! i so knew you thought the whole time he was going to ask you! but i think its cute that it got put off and that you did get suprised in the end even though it was a bummer night. but really it wasn’t once it got to the end!! SOO CUTE i’m so happy for you!
again you don’t know me but i had to leave a comment!!!
Janica: Its nice to hear your side of the story. Love is a many splendored thing. I figured that you would have figured something was up. I’m glad you got your wish, but mostly I’m glad you said yes and made my son’s dream come true.
Love ever
Awesome Story!
I love hearing the “other” side of the story, Janica!
I won’t bore you to tears with Annette’s side of the story other than to say every time we watch “My Cousin Vinnie” the part where Marisa Tomei is standing on the porch tappin’ her foot, it totally reminds of Annette’s take on the whole thing (not because her biological clock was ticking, but she was just so over waiting for me to finally make us “official”)
Best to you and Seth!
Great experience for both of you.
It’s great to read the other side of the story. Thanks for sharing!