November Engagement

Sunday, one week ago today, was one of the most important days of my life. The week before was rather dreadful...thoroughly dreadful! Due to dress rehearsal on Saturday and a lack of proper staff, I was asked to work and ended up missing Remembrance Day. An event that I dearly wanted to attend for more reasons than one. But, Sunday, Sunday was wonderful.

Sunday morning Vince arrived at my house early to pick me up for church. Vince attends church in a very historic Lutheran church. The morning was cool - just the perfect temperature for my black vintage jacket with the fur on the collar and cuffs - the one Vince gave me last year. We met his brother and father at church. I admired the stained glass windows and the beautiful organ music.

After church we left for my surprise date. All week I had been in suspense as to the location of our date...and I wasn't about to find out! Vince was determined not to reveal the location of our date...although I suspected that it was a place I have often wished to visit again. I was right - at the end of our travels we arrived at Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA. This is the home of the Wyeth art collections and the location of our very first date together.

The museum is in a beautiful historic mill along a creek. The front of the mill was already decorated with a very large wreath and the air held a certain holiday excitement. We spent a short time outside walking about the paths and taking a few pictures before entering the museum for lunch in the cafe. The cafe contains a large U shaped set of windows that overlook the creek.

Lunch was delicious and afterwards we headed to the featured exhibit of children's book illustrations by various artists from the 1800s-early 1900s. The exhibit was marvelous!

After touring a few more exhibits and stopping at the bookstore for an exhibit book we exited the museum, heading to the car. We paused to sit a moment together in the wooded area by the river. Suddenly, Vince received a phone call - one he had warned me he might receive from a group member regarding their business trip to NJ on Monday. I waited on a wooden bench by the river, enjoying the surroundings while Vince headed to the car to obtain the information that he needed. A moment passed, then two, enjoying the cool, fresh air and thinking on the past several years of a wonderful relationship with Vince. The air was misty with drizzling rain.

Hearing the crunching of leaves behind me, I turned to see my Vincent, carrying in his arms a large bouquet of red roses! As he stood before me reading a lovingly penned note, tears fell down my cheeks. He presented me with an orange rose - my favorite color rose - and falling to one knee asked me to marry him. And...I said YES!

What an amazing moment that was - indescribable. We laughed, we cried, and we promised a lifetime of love.

But Vince was not finished there, he had mapped out an adventurous afternoon and evening for us as well. We drove to nearby West Chester for a Fall Foliage train ride. The colors of the trees were breathtaking and the scenery was picturesque. We then travelled to a large book barn located in an old mill. There I poured over costume books to my heart's content! Dinner followed - we sat by the fire, warm, cozy, and so delighted with life. The trip back home was filled with conversation about our future plans, hopes and dreams. We arrived at my house to find the family in much excitement over the occasion. On the table were roses and a balloon, a freshly baked cake, and even shrimp. Vince had asked my father's permission the day before, so everyone expected the news, but they were still quite overjoyed when they heard it from my lips.

In this one week so much has happened. So many people have rejoiced with us at the news, and we have continually rejoiced and praised God for His many blessings. How excited we are about the future and planning a life together.

Many things have changed at a rapid pace. I knew which gown I will wear - an elegant ivory silk gown with a long detachable train. We've chosen a reception site - Rockford Plantation, an 18th century home where I have been a docent for many years. A season - Fall. And even the wedding colors - Wine with other fall colors as accent colors. The service will be held at Vince's church - a historic church from the 1700s.

There is so much research and planning left to be done, but I'm happy that things seem to be coming together so well. We even picked out wedding bands at the jeweler where we purchased the engagement ring - they were 40% off. Yay!