The thoughts that were thunk and the goings on of my life.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

The Plan

So, I got engaged this weekend. But what's an engagement without a story?

Below you'll find that story. If you need more details then call...although I'd be surprised if you make it thru THIS document.

The Plan

  1. Location: Andrea’s Apartments
    Time: 17:00

    Have K-Love give (or leave) Andrea a letter stating:
    Wait until five,
    Don’t get a head start.
    To the Great Forrest Spirit,

    Is where you’ll depart.

    (reference of these from this movie)


  2. Location: Otis' Apartment
    Arrival Time: 17:15
    Helper: Bryan

    She will then head to my house and the trees outside with the small rattly seeds. In the tree will be an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly (this will be present at each location).

    Open the envelope to get the next clue:
    There is now a Gate
    Where once stood a Way.
    Behind the Park that’s Reserved,
    Or a ticket you’ll pay.


    Directions to next Location (Google)

  3. Location: Gateway Community Church (Bull Creek) – Office Parking Lot (map)
    -This is where we first met - April 3, 2005-
    Arrival Time: 17:30
    Helper: Mr. Juicebox

    There will be an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly on the back of the Handicapped Reserved Parking Sign (it’s very faded).

    Next Clue:
    There once was a time,
    Before you were a kiss giver.
    We ate a large meal,
    And sat by a small river.


    Additional Clue (on back):
    Go to the valley,
    That’s Wooded and Spiced
    Spin ‘round the turns
    Like your car is all riced.

    Cross 4 to 5 creeks.
    Only 2.1 miles you’ll go.
    On the left a Saint you will find.
    And a tall tree with high boughs.


    Directions to next Location (Google)

  4. Location: St. Edward’s Park (map)
    -First Picnic Date she had ever been on-
    Arrival Time: 17:45
    Helper: Amy

    There will be an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly hidden under a rock in the cradle of the call rounded cedar. You may need to put her on your shoulders to get to it (think of something I would hide/see).

    Next Clue:
    Your first time out dancing
    You looked ever so sweet.
    It was in this very room that
    You were first swept off your feet.


    Directions to next Location (Google)

  5. Location: The Fed (map)
    -This was where our first dance and kiss were exchanged-
    Arrival Time: 18:05
    Helper: Bryan

    There will be a row of bushes along the front of The Fed. As they get close to the right side of the front you will find an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly hidden in the bushes. Open it.

    Next Clue:
    Something sappy, I can't remember exactly what.

    Directions to next Location (Google)

  6. Location: The Falls Apartments (map)
    -Her old apartments and a great breeding ground for fireflies!-
    Time: 18:18
    Helper: TimGrimes

    There is no cell service here, so don’t go down until you get a call to let you know she’s on her way. Simply wait for her to show up. Then blindfold her (I’ll try to supply it) and drive her to the next location.

    Directions to next Location (Google):
    1. Take 360 to Mopac and head South
    2. Cross Town Lake and take the Zilker Park Exit
    3. Circle under the highway and head towards Zilker
    4. Take the first first left (under the bridge) onto Rollingwood.
    5. Take a right onto a small road called Zilker Park
    6. Go 0.2 miles up the road and there is an entrance into the woods on the right.
      1. Just before you get to the entrance there will be a house with Giraffes in the front yard.
      2. If you’ve come to a crossroad leading to the left, then you’ve gone just a tad too far.
  1. Location: Zilker Park Nature Area Lookout (map).
    -One of the best unknown views in town-
    Time: 18:30
    Helper: None needed, all welcome
    Present: Ring

So that's pretty much the story. Tim un-blindfolded her and placed her on the path to get to the lookout. There were little tulips in vases leading the whole way up.

I got so excited when I saw her and Tim that I ran up the trail and tripped (cutting open my hand, so it was bleeding during the whole engagement part).

But it was totally forgotten when I saw her slowly approach the top of the path. Then I walked her to where the lookout was. Told her I loved her or something (does it really matter?), then dropped to one knee and pulled out a ring.

But she told me before all of this that she finds tall, large, round diamonds in yellow gold hideous. But she still said, "Yes." Then I was like, "Cool." And pulled out the real ring


She then became a big ball of emotions and tears. She always wanted a yellow diamond and wanted something small, but classy. Unique and pretty. Low profile and sparkly. She never dreamed I would exceed her expectations, but I plan on doing that every day that I can.

So after our moment, I called out all of the aforementioned friends (plus Mrs. Juicebox) and had them come out. Turns out I got lucky and she really wanted to share the moment with others. They came out. Congratulated and stuff, took pictures, grinned a lot, and were secretly angry because the bar has been raised for their engagement expectations.

After some lessons in how to pee in the woods as a girl, they left us to be. I had a picnic of gluten-free delicacies prepared, a fresh bottle of chilled wine and a picnic blanket. We just sat around and talked, laughed and just sat in shock at how awesome and scary these new words like 'fiance' and 'marraige' and 'wedding' are.

After watching the sun set, we went off and did stuff you really don't want me to elaborate on. NOT THAT! Just talking and other stuff that couples do.

It's really fun, telling people has been exciting, and I can't wait to keep telling this story for years to come as I sit beside my future wife.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! I actually cried and am still crying - that story is so romantic and fun! My brother is engaged! Congratulations and all that stuff to you guys - I know I'll talk to you both really soon. And...yep...the bar is totally set HIGH for any guy dating a girl that reads this story or any one of your friends that was present when all this happened. You're awesome Matt - and Andrea - well, you're one lucky gal.

Holy shit! Matt's engaged!!!

Take care you guys and we'll be in touch.

Love you -
Reggie (and Kurt)

Anonymous said...

Oh, yeah...I forgot to mention something...the RING! I can't believe how unique and beautiful it is. Way to go Andrea! Did you help design it or did Matt do this part? And the trick - do you get to keep both? hehehe! just kidding...no, really. This must have taken so much planning and thinking Matt?! - such a great story and memory. Pretty nice....okay, again....bye!

I'm sooooo excited for you both!

okay...bye, bye!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you both. I just do not know what else to say. Praise God, he is so good to have thought of such a wonderful thing as marriage. I will be praying for you both during this time, that the engagement goes fast and you get to the REALLY good stuff!!! I love you both.
Kelly

Anonymous said...

dude congrats! gateway love story part two!!!11one

i totally watched gentlemen prefer blondes tonight too, which is a whole engagement/diamond story thing. and i watched princess mononoke last week. crazzzy.

see you guys on tomorrow!!

Anonymous said...

Wow. You outdid your dad!

Love,
Mom

Amy said...

Oh yeah, you know Tim and I. We're really seething on the inside. Actually we're both just jealous. Very happy for you both and very honored to have been a part of this incredible thing, but still jealous.

And great job on the ring!

Anonymous said...

Otis, ya did good.

I will never forget Andrea, crying, trying to look for a place to pee without looking up from her hand, repeating over and over "I can't believe this is really happening, is this really happening?!" If that's not a picture of a woman in love, I don't know what is;)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Matt and Andrea! I'm really honored that I got to help, though I'm sorry I couldn't stick around to be there when you finally popped the question.

I haven't known you two for very long, but I think you're both wonderful people and you make a fantastic couple. (Your parents raised you right!)

Anonymous said...

I'm Very Proud of You, Son. You Done Good!! (Jeepers...Maybe I did Something right in my life?!?!) The Kiosk is Always Open for Sage Words of "Wisdom"...(Just step over to that big hole up there in the treetop!) Hoot, Hoot, Hoooooooot!!! Also, Thanks to All Your Great Friends who were willing to Aid & Abet this perpetration! Way to Go, Gang!!

Jacob Foshee said...

Congratulations! You will be a great husband and daddy. (-=

Anonymous said...

Oh, wow!! Congratulations! That's so sweet and romantic, and the ring is absolutely gorgeous! I'm very happy for you guys. :)

Andrea

Anonymous said...

Congrats Matt & Andrea! You make a fantastic couple!

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm. That ring looks suspiciously like the one that was stolen from the Lichtenstein Metropolitan Art & Jewelry Museum in Barcelona, Italy back in 1984. No, not the flat sparkling one, that rare and unusually unique looking single-set 1.235 carat white diamond with the narrow papal band. So, just where did you find it, and what did you do with it? Our agents will be coming to pay you a visit. Have the ring and your answers ready...or else!