we're engaged!!

Matthew proposed to me on Friday! I told him afterwards that it was completely perfect. It just shows how well Matthew knows me because I couldn't have even put into words what I wanted...but he figured it out anyway! This is how it happened... I was not feeling well at all on Friday morning. My throat hurt so badly that I thought I might have to call in sick and I was hoping it wasn't strep. After my shower I felt a little better so I decided I'd be okay, BUT I was going to leave as soon as I could after school so that I could get some rest. Matthew had a football game that night (so I thought) so I would have the evening to myself. I told Matthew sometime during the day how I felt, and I remember him saying, "Well don't you skip out early from school!" Little did I know why he said that. I ran into Matthew's mom (Cathy) during the day (she's the assistant principal) and she could tell I wasn't feeling well. I told her that I hoped to leave right after school. Well, on my way back from dismissing the kids, Cathy told me that she and the principal needed to see me in her office at 3:45. I was kinda bummed because I wanted to leave, but of course I said okay. I went down there and they started talking to me about my Literacy Stations, acting all interested and asking me a ton of questions. I was trying to be short so that I could just get out of there. Finally we were done and I headed back to my room to gather my things. When I returned to my room I opened the door and turned on the lights and I saw this: He said some really sweet things and asked if I'd marry him. Of course I said yes! It was perfect that he did it at school because this is where we met for the first time two years ago. The ring is absolutely beautiful! We went to tell Rachel across the hall from me (who had been in on the whole thing and had let Matthew into my room), and then we went down to the office to tell his mom. It was then that Matthew said we probably needed to get going because we had dinner reservations at 6:00. He wouldn't tell me where. So, we went back to my place so that I could change clothes and then headed out. Of course I had called my mom, dad, brother, and some friends by this point. I started crying in the car because after I told my dad he said, "I wish I could hold you right now." I told Matthew that I wished I could see my parents. We pulled up to A Taste of Italy and went inside. The waitress took us to the back of the restaurant and when we walked in I was so surprised to see this... My family, his family, and some friends were waiting for us. This was such a special surprise. We had a great time eating and chatting about all the lies Matthew had been telling me over the past few weeks. It turns out I'm a little nosy and hard to keep a secret from. Who knew??? Here are some more pictures from the restaurant: Afterwards we went back to the Irby's for dessert where some more friends joined us. This was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I'm so thankful that God has given me a man who loves me enough to do all of this for me. Wedding details to come!!!