Alright... well... where do I even begin!! It is only two weeks into summer and it has been crazy! I finished up the spring semester really well and with some awesome grades! I've re-learned how to drive and it's getting easier every day because I have to commute 25 minutes from Fishers. I've been so blessed to be able to keep working at the Indianapolis Zoo this summer and to take a couple summer classes.
Oh, alright, let’s get to the exciting stuff! I've been dying to tell the entire world about the most amazing night of my life! On my 20th birthday this past Friday, my boyfriend of 4 ½ years became my fiancé! With the help and support of my family and close friends he sealed the deal!
Here’s the whole story…
For my birthday Gerrit was all secretive about what we were doing to celebrate. He wouldn’t give me any useful hints and I couldn’t get a word out of anybody else. The anticipation was driving me nuts and he knew it. Finally, Friday May 10, 2013 arrived! We spend most of the day watching The Office and just hanging around but at 6:30 we got in the truck and headed to the restaurant.
The reservation was for 7:00. I still hadn’t figured out where we were going for dinner until we got into the elevator of the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis Hotel. We were having dinner in the Eagles Nest. The restaurant is on the tippy top of the building and slowly rotates 360 degrees (it takes like an hour and a half to make a complete circle). We could see all of Indy and with its historic monuments and gorgeous skyline. That in its self was surprise enough for me! I was shocked that we were in a rotating building and eating a five star meal!
We had an interesting take on Vegetarian Bruschetta as an appetizer. I had the Crab Crusted Halibut which was so good!!!! And Gerrit had the New York Strip with mash potatoes. We were so stuffed by the end! However, Gerrit insisted that we stay and have desert. We got peach cobbler. I was trying to eat it but Gerrit kept talking to me. He was fidgeting and acting all weird. He gave a little intro (as he called it later) about how he had talked to my dad and that he had given him his blessing to marry me. My heart stopped and I finally caught on to what was happening.
He reached into the pocket of his jack that was on the back of his chair. He came over to my side of the table and got down on one knee. By this time I was totally freaking out! He asked me to marry him and I said yes under some laughs and tears. It wasn’t until he put my ring on my finger that I completely lost it. For the first time, probably ever, I kissed him in front of the entire restaurant and they all started to clap. We didn’t care at all. The hostess then brought out a bouquet of roses that Gerrit had planned to arrive (after I said yes of course). They are beautiful!
After all the excitement and the peach cobbler had melted we walked back to the truck and went to Gerrit’s apartment where his roommates were there waiting with plastic wine glasses and sparkling apple juice. We called all of our family and friends to tell them the big news! It’s official! We’re getting married!
Gerrit’s sister Laura was in DeMotte for a visit and was leaving to go back home that following Saturday (what were the odds!) so she took some amazing pictures of us and our extremely happy selves! 
We couldn't be any happier and there are no words to describe how grateful I am for all the amazing people in our lives. God has blessed Gerrit and I so much! I feel so lucky that I get to spend the rest of my life with the wonderful man He has placed in my life!
Check out Laura's blog http://www.lauraacton.com/2013/05/happily-engaged.html , facebook page, or my facebook page to see the rest of the pictures!
