September 20th, 2012
I woke up with the best feeling. I think I was smiling before my eyes even opened. We had our first exam at Hopkins the day before and I felt really confident about it. Mostly I was just excited that I didn't get so nervous beforehand. I feel stronger this semester, which is such a blessing. This day couldn't have been anything but wonderful after my little triumph. And I had the entire day off! AND I got to sleep in, which never happens since I have to get up at 4:30 most days to make it to the hospital in Baltimore in time. So just a perfect, perfect day.
My dear friend from Hopkins, Sarah, and I had made plans almost a month beforehand to visit the monuments. We wanted to take pictures so we both got all dressed up (Thank goodness!! You'll know why soon!). She picked me up and we were all giggles and laughter and girl chat! The day couldn't have been more beautiful. It was a perfect 70 degrees and the sun was out. There was a light breeze to cool you off, but it was warm enough to wear a dress. We started off at the Martin Luther King Monument and Sarah was so into it we must have taken thirty pictures and read almost every quote there! Then we wandered slowly along the Tidal Basin towards the Jefferson Memorial. A few times along the way, when Landon came up naturally in conversation, Sarah would ask, "How do you feel about a future with him? Do you think he could be the one?" I didn't really think much of her questions since we were deep in girl talk the whole morning. And I was excited to share how I felt. I told her how I couldn't imagine anything more lovely than creating my life with a man like Landon. I told her how he's the only person I've been able to trust and feel safe with. I told her how when I'm with him I see a reflection of my own worth and beauty like nothing I've ever seen before. I told her how we've only know each other for a short time, but that in that time I have come to know his character and who he is is what I have dreamt about my entire life in picturing a person I would experience this beautiful life with. Sarah was so happy that I was so in love.
We finally made it to the Jefferson more than ninety minutes after we started. What I didn't know at the time was that Landon had taken a red eye from Utah Wednesday night and was waiting for us at the Memorial. I knew he was coming to visit me, but he told me he was coming the following week. He even sent me his itinerary and it said the dates for the following week! He told me later that when he had forwarded me his itinerary, he was able to go in and edit all the information and it kept it everything in the same format as the original! You couldn't notice a thing! He was so sweet and detailed he even changed all the advertisement links so they wouldn't take me to a site saying the wrong date. So he was waited patiently that morning for Sarah and I to slowly make it to the steps of the Jefferson. He waited behind the columns for hours!
As Sarah and I came up to the Jefferson, a group of guys walked past us saying "Hey, you're cute! Do you have a boyfriend?" I blushed and walked faster, calling behind me very matter of fact, "Yes I do." I learned later that Landon had asked them to hit on me as a joke! So funny! Sarah and I started taking pictures around the monument and then she suggested that we take turns taking pictures of each other on the steps with the Jefferson behind us. After I took a couple of her, it was my turn. When I turned around to face the camera, someone came out of nowhere and put their hands over my eyes! I was startled and felt uncomfortable. I did a nervous giggle and then frantically tried to think of who it could be. I think he said something like, "Guess who!?" My first thought was that it sounded like Landon. But it couldn't be! There was no possible way it could be! He was across the country and coming next weekend! Finally he turned me around and I saw him. I couldn't believe he was there standing in front of me. I was shocked! And then this is what happened...
Oh, it was such a beautiful moment! I couldn't be happier. I feel so blessed. Since meeting Landon, there have been so many beautiful moments where I have felt so strongly that God blessed me with this opportunity to be with him. Of course it was both of our choices, but the blessing is that God put us in each other's paths and gave us the opportunity to fall in love.
I'm so excited to create a life with him. To laugh every day. To explore the world. To reach towards our goals and dreams. To do the dishes and fix our car. To have children and raise them in happiness. To kiss him every day when we come home from work and to work with him to be more in love each day. To have our children see what love is in their parents love and glimpse the greatest happiness known on this beautiful Earth.
Thank you Landon for for being the man you are. Thank you for your wisdom, your strength, your kindness, your friendship, your support, you laughter, you charity. You are such an incredible man and I am so honored to be loved by you.
