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Shawn's Story

As I turned to walk towards Dan, my heart pounding, my palms sweating, and my mind racing. I couldn’t help but focus on how the outcome of the conversation with him would end. As I approached him I asked “May I talk to you?” kind of in a hesitant manner he said “Sure.” I stated how I knew marriage was a huge responsibility and that I would do everything to take care of his daughter and that there is no one else in the world that I would rather spend my life with. Then without hesitation I asked him “May I marry your daughter?” after a long pause he looked at me and he said “Yes” we hugged and shared a good amount of tears. I will not be able to forget that moment in my life. On Sunday March Seventh I woke up showered and got ready for church. However, this Sunday was going to be very special. For three weeks Ellie and I had looked at rings and she had found one she really liked. I bought it and told her that when I went to get it they no longer had it. I told her that I needed her to pick out a different one. Like I expected she thought I would ask her on her birthday. Which is exactly why I told her I didn't have the ring. After church that morning we went to lunch like we always do. Then I took her to see a movie, because on our very first date we went to see a movie with her parents. We then went to dinner at P. F. Chang's because on our second date I had taken Ellie and her sister there. For those who don't know Ellie and I split up in May of 2009, thankfully God had brought us back together in September of 2009. The first time Ellie and I hung out after getting back together she took me to the top of the Friends clock tower where we looked over Wichita at night. After dinner Itook her to that exact spot. On our way to the lit seated area I remember the smell of the rain, that just so happened to be her favorite smell. I then got down on one knee asked her to open her eyes. As they opened I said with the biggest smile "Ellie, will you marry me?" Without pause she smiled as tears welled up in her eyes and she said "YES!" We hugged and I kissed her, told her I loved her. That has been and still is the best night of my life.

Ellie's Story

The day Shawn proposed to me just so happened to be my birthday, it started out like any other Sunday except I got up early to get ready as my mom cooked me bacon and eggs for my birthday. I was really excited because Shawn had told me he had a special day planned for us. I had expected a special dinner and a movie followed by a gift. I had an idea but nowhere near as amazing as he had planned. We had Olive Garden with my family for lunch. Afterwards Shawn took me to a movie. Right after, as we were getting into the car he put a blindfold on me and took me to dinner. When we arrived he helped me out of the car and he took the blindfold off of me so I could see where we were eating. It was P. F. Chang's, We saw his brother and sister-in-law while at dinner. Him and his brother texted for a short time. I didn't think anything of it. After dinner he blindfolded me again and we drove for a quite a while. I was confused as to where we were due to all the turns. When we finally stopped he again helped me out and took off the blindfold making sure my eyes were closed as we walked to a place that was well lit i could tell. I knew we were somewhere outside but had no idea where. I could hear him moving in front of me and then he told me to open my eyes. I opened them to see where we were. he had taken me to Friends University where we liked to go and relax. I looked down and saw him on one knee with a ring box in his hand. Then came the words " Will you marry me?" I paused for barely a second before saying yes and embracing him. Yes, I cried a little but who wouldn't after such a wonderful day leading up to this amazing moment. He then told me the significance of everywhere he took me. He took me to a movie because that's the first place we went on a date. He took me to P. F. Chang's because that's where we ate together on our first "real" date without the parents. He took me to the Friends clock tower because that's the first place we went when God restored our relationship last fall. I had never thought about it until then and it made the day and this wonderful birthday gift all the more amazing.