My perspective of the engagement

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July 22, 2008

Getting Ready

I sped home as fast as I could – picking up flowers and a birthday card for my roommate. Season (another roommate) had the curling iron hot and ready to work its magic with my head of stubbornness. It took her 1 ½ hours. Needless to say my hair did look absolutely amazing. The other half hour I spent doing my make-up and getting dressed. I wonder how long it took Todd to get ready that night. Maybe five minutes I’m guessing. Well, he did look really good in his deep blue collared shirt and tie. I wore my sexy black dress (only 12 dollars at ROSS) and black heels.

Dinner

I requested Italian food, so Todd took us to Ottavio’s – a lovely Italian restaurant on Center Street. The food was divine. Well, my dish was good, but his kind of tasted like raw chicken that was boiled.

Jazz Concert

Todd’s good friend from freshman year – Josephine Scere – was singing her original jazz songs at Muse Music that night with her band. She sang with her heart the whole night and I love her voice! She even dedicated a song to Todd and me. I forget the title of the song, but something like being wrapped up in your finger. It was so funny because she announced that we were in love and at the end of the song, improvised our names into the melody so it really was just for us! It was way too cute! Later on, I would find out she knew of Todd’s plans that night and decided to give us an added special element. Thanks Josie! I’ll never forget it!

Dancing

So, this is the point where I started to question at every moment if whether or not he would do it. He took me to Rock Canyon Park (behind the Provo Temple) and we danced to a slow Lifehouse song in the middle of the field under the stars. I remember seeing him pull something out of his pocket………which turned out to be his IPod. A cool detail to add is that the name of the song we danced to was “Storm” and there just so happened to be a little lightning in the sky at the time. The song ended and we walked back to the car. I could feel myself losing control of the anxious feeling I had been trying to suppress all day long. It had to be soon!

Temple

“I figure the best way to end our super date is to park at our spot by the temple.” That’s the spot we usually go to when we need to have a serious discussion. That’s where we sat when we officially became an exclusive couple. That’s where we sat when we first seriously talked about taking our relationship much more seriously. Anything that needed a serious tone, we’ve usually driven to that spot. So, of course I’m thinking this was going to be it. “Well, is there anything you’d like to talk about since we’re here?” he said in a very nonchalant tone. A bit confused, my reply was “No, is there something that’s on your mind?” His response: “Not really.” Okay, what the??? So we sat there for a while longer talking about random things I can’t remember because my thoughts were racing wildly at this point. What is he up to?? It was about 11:00 PM when I heard him say “That’s pretty much it. I don’t have any more activities planned for the night so it would probably be best if I just took you home.” I hope it didn’t show on my face, but I imagined my jaw dropping in half a second. “Oh honey, I’m not that tired and I’d love to just sit here with you for a while longer.” You see, we’ve never ended an outing early. Maybe late. Never early. Immediately, his comeback was “It’s been a really nice night Kristi. I’d rather not drag it on.” It still pricks at my heart when I recall him speaking that line!! I’d rather not drag it on??!!! I stared out the window the whole way home – fighting the swells of tears in my eyes.

Drop Off

Todd drove me next to my apartment stairwell and remained seated – seatbelt still intact. “Good night honey. I love you.” I reciprocated his words only a little softer. I couldn’t believe this! I was really thinking…….nay, expecting him to propose tonight! I walked up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment door, waved goodbye, and watched him drive away. He hadn’t even walked me up to my door! I had decided on my way up the stairs that I would let my watery eyes do as they please as soon as I got inside.

The Proposal

I unlocked the door and opened it. I didn’t know my heart could go from the floor to the sky so quickly! I had to stand there for a few seconds so my body could catch up with my mind – if it was even working at this point. I heard my absolute favorite slow song playing in the background – Michael Buble “That’s All”. I saw candles lit on the table and entertainment center in the living room. I also immediately picked up on the trail of rose petals leading from the front door to the kitchen. I followed it very slowly thinking “This could be for Bobbi’s birthday. Don’t jump to conclusions.” I already had though – before I even saw the note. The rose petals led me to our kitchen table and on it, a bouquet of red roses and white lilies with some more candles. There was a note with my name on it that said, “Hey Beautiful, Come back outside. Love, Scrappy.” I stood there for a moment longer before I walked down the path of rose petals again to the front door. I opened it up to see Todd racing up the stairs with the biggest and proudest smile on his face. Yeah, he got me. When he walked in the first thing he says is “Hey, this is really nice. Who do all this?” Okay, I think you’ve tortured me long enough Mr. Kirk. Get to it now! We walked back into the kitchen and he danced with me to the song still playing in the background. Every moment seemed like forever so I can’t remember exactly how long we danced. But after a while, he pulled me back to look in my eyes and said, “Kristine Hardy, I love you so much.” Then, there it was. It was the moment every girl dreams about her whole life and it was right there in front of me. He got down on one knee and asked, “Will you be my wife?” Overcome by my excitement and especially after feeling somewhat hurt only 2 minutes earlier, I didn’t wait more than a second to shout back at him “Heck yes I will!!!” My smile was so big and out of my control that it kind of hurt my face! But I couldn’t help it! We hugged for so long after that. I really was so overwhelmed with joy that he had to snap me back to reality when he said “So, do you want to put it on?” “Um…YES!” Here’s another cute detail: just as Todd was sliding the ring on my finger, the song in the background was fading with Michael’s last word and the orchestra drifted away into silence. I felt like I was living in a fairy tale! It was incredible! Denae (another roommate and apparently an accomplice in Todd’s plans) had bought a bottle of sparkling cider and some champagne glasses for us to celebrate with that night. It was all so romantic! I loved every moment. And the thought that keeps me smiling with the same blissful feeling as I felt that night is the beautiful and miraculous fact that Todd and I are going to spend all of eternity together………..



Todd Kirk and Kristine Hardy
Engaged on July 22, 2008