He got down on one knee and I said...

YES!!!

Well, actually, I didn't say yes until he said for the second or third time, "So is that a yes??" -I was too busy crying like a baby.

Oh. my. goodness... I am an engaged woman!  

I have seriously been thinking about this day since we were kids in high school.  When Brandon and I started dating, I knew my heart would never be able to love anyone more.  Sure, many high school sweethearts may think that, but I knew it.  

Brandon and I started dating when I was 14 years old.  At that time, he might brush his arm against mine and my heart would feel like it was going to jump out of my chest.  It was electrifying.  If you're a new reader and would like to see old photos and learn about our dating journey, you can do that in a 

needs-to-be-updated post here.  

I tried to find a high school yearbook to see what he wrote in the back, but couldn't. 

But I did find this note that Brandon wrote in a card he made for me on our first anniversary back then...

Ok, so I know you all just want to know about the proposal! 

Brandon knew the one element I absolutely wanted when he popped the question.  I have always told him that I want our families to be there.  No, not right there, but off in the distance watching or nearby somewhere.   --but of course, I couldn't know they were there beforehand! 

This is the our story.

We both went home to be with our families for Thanksgiving on Tuesday.  Since our families only live 30 miles apart, he asked if he could come get me on Wednesday and bring me back to Beaufort with him for a date, just like "old times." Of course I agreed.

Then, Wednesday came and he scooped me up at around 2:30pm.  Once in downtown Beaufort, we got coffee and browsed the little shops on Bay Street.  Brandon made early dinner reservations at 5:30 so that he could have me back in time to see my brother, who was planning on getting to my parent's house at around 9pm (B is always thinking of others like that).

We decided that we'd like to watch the sun go down on the waterfront, so we picked out a swing and admired the gorgeous views.  We talked about ordinary things ...I had no idea what was coming next.

At 5pm, Brandon suggested that we get off the swing and walk down the waterfront some more.  

We took about twenty steps and he said, "You know how I had that business meeting in Rock Hill last week?"  I said, "Yes," quite slowly and with lots of curiosity.

Then, Brandon's voice started quivering as he told me that his meeting never happened.  He said that instead, he drove from Charleston to Ridgeland to speak to my dad, my mom, and to call my brother.

...all because he wanted permission to spend the rest of his life with me.

He said a few more things, but at this time, I was crying and in shock -it was all a blur. I hate that I can't remember what he said! All I know is that Brandon gave the sweetest proposal speech, which was absolutely no surprise.

I was finally able to utter the word, "YES" out of my mouth!

By this time, we had gathered quite the crowd in the Waterfront Park, so we turned to thank them as they clapped and shouted their congratulatory wishes.

He instantly made me the happiest girl in the world.

We will be hopeless on our wedding day -neither one of us could control the tears!

As if it couldn't get any better... well, it did.
Then Brandon pointed out that our families were off in the distance.

Here we are hugging our moms...

...and my dad.

It was perfect.
After taking more photos, we all celebrated during dinner at Saltus, a wonderful restaurant right there on the waterfront.

Oh yes, did you notice that my brother was there? He drove straight there from the Myrtle Beach area to be there!

Both of our families...

I mean... I'm seriously floating on a cloud right now.  It was so hard not to tell you all yesterday, but I didn't want any distractions from Thanksgiving! And my, what an amazing Thanksgiving it has been.  I cannot even articulate the feelings of thanks I have in my heart right now.

We are two happy souls.

Xo.