Eight years ago today was the day Craig and I became an “us”.
Eight years ago today was the day that Craig and I started dating. AND….three years ago on this day was the day he proposed. So I thought in honor of our 8 years together (almost 1/3 of my life!) I’d share our engagement story. So here goes….
Oh wait….first, I thought you may like to see some pictures of us when we were young and in love. I mean….technically we’re still young and in love, but we were SUPER young and in love back then.
Eight years ago today was the day that Craig and I started dating. AND….three years ago on this day was the day he proposed. So I thought in honor of our 8 years together (almost 1/3 of my life!) I’d share our engagement story. So here goes….
Oh wait….first, I thought you may like to see some pictures of us when we were young and in love. I mean….technically we’re still young and in love, but we were SUPER young and in love back then.
OK……..
now for our engagement story.
Craig and I had been talking about getting married for awhile. We’d been dating for almost five years and I’d already e-mailed him the information on the ring of my dreams about a year ago…you know…just in case.
I was living in Corvallis still even though I’d graduated and living with some friends. They knew we’d been talking about getting married and they were convinced he’d propose on our anniversary (February 17th). I really didn’t think that would happen because it was way too cliche. Also, there was a laundry list of other logistical reasons that I didn’t think he’d propose:
1. He hadn’t asked my dad for permission. I knew this because we hadn’t been home (to Portland) in over a month, so there wouldn’t have been time.
2. He was planning on buying my ring with money he had in stocks and would sell the stocks when it was time to buy my ring. The day before our anniversary I saw him checking his stocks online. Obviously he hadn’t bought the ring.
February 17th came along
and we headed off to Newport Beach.
On the drive there we passed by a campsite with some yurts. Craig said “Hey! Wouldn’t that be fun to go yurt camping once we’re married?” (*side note: we had never been on a vacation, just Craig and I). At this point I was fully convinced we were not getting engaged anytime soon and I started crying and said, “Can we please just not talk about getting married or about anything marriage related today? I just can’t really handle it. Let’s just enjoy today, OK?”
Craig pulled over and calmed me down, but agreed not to talk about it anymore. When we finally got to the beach I was feeling better. We went to all the cheesy shops and just hung out on the boardwalk and had a great time.
Then it was time for dinner.
We planned to get dressed up and go somewhere *fancy for dinner (*there aren’t actually any super fancy restaurants at Newport Beach). We were super classy and changed into our fancy clothes in a Quiznos bathroom. True story.
We had planned to go to a place called The Embarcadaro. But Craig forgot to get reservations. When we showed up they were super rude and treated us like were complete morons for showing up without one, and told us it would be a two hour wait. No thanks.
We started driving along the coast thinking we’d just find some nice place along the way. WRONG. By this time it was almost 8 and we hadn’t eaten anything since coffee for breakfast, so we just ended up at a place called “The Surf Rider Inn”. It looked rather like a retirement home and the food was about as good. The view of the beach was rad though and we still acted fancy.
After dinner we went down to the beach and Craig wanted to make a bonfire. It was February and as such, freaking cold at the beach (as it is most of the year), so I opted to stay in the car. I wasn’t really feeling a bonfire anyway. It was pretty damp out so it took Craig FOR-E-VER to start the fire…which I found out later was ignited using a combination of gasoline and ripped up bridal magazines he’d found lying around at my house….ironic, no?
Finally he came back to get me and he brought out his guitar and wanted to play and sing worship songs together. We used to be on the worship team at church together so this was something we’d do sometimes. After maybe five songs it started to rain. I said “OK, we should probably get going.” To which Craig replied, “Awww….it’s not raining that hard. It’s just a little sprinkle. We can sing at least one more song.” At this I got super annoyed, but obliged with only slight mutterings under my breath.
Then Craig started playing a song that I’d never heard before. I realized a few seconds in that it was a song he’d written for me! I cried and as he was starting to talk, I cut him off by saying “Play it again!” So he did.
Then he started a spiel about how much he loved me and was so glad he’d gotten to spend the last five years with me. I said, “Me too!” I had no clue this was his proposal speech. I just thought he’d written the song and was saying mushy things because it was our anniversary. He asked me if I’d love him forever, to which I said that of course I would. It wasn’t until he said “And will you be poor with me?” that I realized he was proposing, because I knew we’d be super broke when we got married.
I freaked out.
Jumped up and down.
Cried.
Then I finally saw the ring he’d been holding during the entire proposal. I hadn’t seen it because I’d had two jackets and three hoods up obstructing my view. Ooops. Happiest day ever.
Apparently Craig was sneaky and made a special trip home to Portland to ask my dad for his permission to marry me, and had bought the ring on a jewelers card so he could trick me by checking his stocks and then pay for the ring later. Sneaky guy. Glad I said yes.
Thanks for spending the last 8 years with me Craig!
So that’s it. If you read the entire story, I’m super impressed.
What was your engagement story?
Did you post it on your blog?
If so, send me a link!
I’d love to read it!
ALSO….
Today is my brother’s birthday!
HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY
BROTHER!
Hope you have a lovely day!
xo
{Lauren}
Oh that was such a lovely story. Thankyou for sharing, happy proposal anniversary!
Congratulations! 8 years… that’s a long time!
I love your engagement story! It’s very romantic and also very funny that you haven’t realized for so long that he wants to propose! Really cute!
I wish you two all the best for the future! And happy Birthday to your brother!
What an amazing story!!! I love every bit of it!!! Mine is so similar – because my hubby planned a special day, but I was convinced he wasn’t going to propose, so I kept telling him not to bring it up!
What a wonderful love story! It so sweet! I’m glad ya’ll are still happily married today.
that’s so beautiful, he must be a really amazing guy.
so romantic too. <33
xx
Happy Anniversary – what a lovely fun story. So filled with twists and turns and irony! How funny that you said, “Let’s not talk about this any more today…” Ha ha!
Yeah, so I read this and think it’s adorable 🙂 congrats on your happy 8 years together! I hope when I’m a bit older I’d be able to blog about engagement stories and things like this.
And I’m now following your blog 🙂
Awwww this is such a cute story. I loved how Craig did everything even though the day wasn’t going his way. Congratulations on the anniversary, and Happy birthday to your brother. 🙂
Happy Being together-aversary!
That is such a sweet story! I love all of the things Craig did to through you off the scent.
I knew Jus would never propose on a holiday or anniversary but every time one came around I was just sure he was going to surprise me just because it was cliche (isn’t funny how you can make up crazy situations in your crazy wants to be engaged head?)
I posted my engagement story but I’m pretty sure you’ve read it…http://adventuresinloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2009/12/wild-horses.html
PS Could we possibly have a close up of the prom pic? You two are too cute!
Yes, I read every word!!!! That is the sweetest thing EVER. And you two are adorable. Congratulations on the past 8 years!
Hey I did read the entire post! What a cute story! I’d love to have someone special write a song about me <3 You are blessed.
Happy anniversary!
Oh I love it! Wonderful story, you two are very lucky 🙂
what a sweet story! i think it’s extra sweet because craig went so far out of his way to make it a big surprise (tricky tricky!). I wish you guys the best of luck and happiness in the rest of your future together!
What a great day! Very sneaky proposal if I do say so myself.
this is such a great post!
so romantic. so funny. so precious.
such a wonderful courtship…thanks for sharing!
loved reading your story…….what a hoot……..gorgeous ring! So glad you are happy……..and think it is the coolest thing that you sang worship songs by the fire…….awesome!
have a lovely day friend!
xo
OMG – that’s soo sweet and cute Lauren! I love how you have all the pictures. That is something I wish we had – pictures to go with the story.
I you get bored, u can read my post on our engagement. Well, the one hubs deems unofficial but really was the proposal. http://beachboundbride.blogspot.com/2007/08/8808-is-date.html
OH gosh! I love it! LOVE IT! And we sound a lot alike, too – several reasons but my hubby plays the keyboards & we did worship team together too for awhile & he wrote a song for me (not for the proposal though; to walk down the aisle to). 🙂
i love your blog. i’m gonna have to put your button on mine. 🙂
& i did our entire story on my blog – the links are in my sidebar under “true love”. it’s kinda long so i did it in four parts. I think the engagement is in part 4 if you wanna read it! 🙂
Lauren!! i loved hearing this! i mean i had gotten the mini story before! but this was awesome. Craig is the man!! i got tears in my eyes at the part where he asked if you would be poor with him! soo adorable! i can totally relate to that part 🙂 you guys are my favorite. i love this story, i love you guys, i love your ring, and just everything. haha, love it. and i may now have to post mine on my blog. it was kinda on there somewhere, but i think i lost most the pics when i had that disaster, so maybe i should just post it again in more detail. it is not nearly as romantic as yours those! but anyway, thanks for sharing!! 🙂 have a great day lovely girl! love you lots!
I just loved reading this story, how sweet. Go Craig, nice planning skills!
super sweet! you should post a close up of your ring!
Oh my gosh Lauren, was a totally sweet story! And I love how sneaky he was! Major props for that!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
this is such a great story! i love that we tricked you! and i love that you were “super classy” and changed at quiznos. definitely something i’ve done before! how wonderful that you guys play worship songs together! and by the fire! simply the best.
and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the BROTHER!
p.s. gotta love the prom pic! you should probably do a close up on it… ha!
such a sweet story lauren
i love how sly craig was about it all… sneaky sneaky
you already know my story…
i love that both our men wrote songs for us and sang… sweet.
happy birthday to your brother!
xo. thanks.
xo. thanks.
awww, what a great story! you guys are super cute! you know what’s crazy? my hubby and i got engaged exactly three days before you!! also, we used to sing/play in a worship band together 🙂 craziness.
happy engagement anniversary! 🙂
OMG! That’s the sweetest thing! AWE! I love, love stories! Happy Anniversary and happy birthday bother! 😀
Great story! SOOoooo freakin cute! and I love the pics, you two are super cute together!! thanks for sharing! (and happy bday to your bro)
too cute!
i have to admit…i’m tearing up a little. 🙂
so dang sweet!
craig is so sneaky. haha.
i love everything about your story so much. thanks for sharing, lauren. 🙂
oh, also.
i know you’ve talked about how you guys aren’t ready for kids yet, but just saying, when you guys do get around to that…they’re going to be incredibly gorgeous. you guys are such a beautiful couple!
happy birthday to your brother!
🙂
awwww that is so sweet and sneaky!!! You’ve read mine I believe. 🙂 Its linked off my sidebar. 🙂
what a cute story 🙂 makes me smile 🙂 Happy anniversary!!!!
oh my gosh SO sweet! I read the whole thing and teared up a little bit at the end (yeah I’m a romantic) That is the greatest proposal story and I love that you didn’t see it coming. Happy Anniversary Lauren! xox
What a great story! I love hearing proposal stories.
I remember hearing that 3 years ago:) I think you got a ring ceremony? I can’t remember.. time all blurs together at charis! I wish I had a better memory. I saw a german shepherd and boy that looks like Craig last night.. but I was in Tualatin and decided it wasn’t him. Have great 8 year anniversary! Wow that’s a long time!
um when i find the man i am going to marry will you please tell him to propose to me on the beach at night after playing me a song? i’m so jealous! also, i think you should record the song he wrote for you and post it…unless of course it’s too personal.
I read the whole thing, hurray!
Also, I love how typically me you are in the car on the way over…crying about talking about marriage. And how you got frustrated he wouldn’t quit singing. Hilarious Lauren.
We can’t make it easy on them, can we?
so sweet! i love your engagement story <3 good job craig!!
happy 8 years together!! <3
awe i love it! its so cute i think i want to cry!
i like craig with a lot of hair:)
and thats so funny that you cried earlier that day.
and i love that you were annoyed in the rain! hahaha! so many things could of gone wrong!
go Craig!!!!
xo
Brandi
oh gosh! this is too sweet! i can’t tell you how much i love that he asked your dad’s permission! congratulations on 8 years!
That was a great engagement story. We also got engaged on our anniversary at the beach. But I suspected it. My husband was randomely had lunch with my dad on friday when we were supposed to go to the beach to celebrate our anniversary on sunday. When I asked him about lunch he acted really wierd. But it was still wonderful even if I suspected it! We got egaged on the beach next to the hecita head light house, so beautiful!
Congratulations on 8 years! WOW that’s a long time!! I love your engagement story! And how could we not read the whole story?!!! It’s a love story! <3
whoa! I just got all emotional at work. Y’all sound like a funny/cute couple. I love that you were annoyed about the cold/rain and stuff. haha that’s realistic (not many people include those details in their stories. -k
That’s such a sweet story, and I love that Craig was being so sneaky about it! It’s funny that you were a little moody that day, too. When Chris was going to propose to me, he was trying to be sneaky, but I just took it as him being annoying, so I got sort of irritated with him, then later I felt terrible!
Your ring is beautiful! Did you email him the exact pics of it or did he pick one out similar to what you said? Chris picked mine out, and he did a good job because it was just what I wanted!
Hope you’re having a good day today!
ADORE-ABLE!!! How stinkin’ romantic and the best part is that you had NO idea, the entire time. I love that you totally weren’t into the whole being outside thing, awe what a reck he probably was, knowing he was going to do it and spending the entire day with you and then you not wanting to participate. ( I totally would have been the same. Such a girl thing.) I’d also love to hear the song he wrote for you.
Mine was a little more predictable and not as isolated as yours. Josef either had under 3 months to do it or not. (90 days in the US for foreigners.) And I was really nagging him to do it because there was only 5 weeks until he went back to Germany, for us to get engaged and plan a wedding. Although he was very creative and it did suprise me.
read it here:: http://theakebrands.blogspot.com/2007/12/photographic-affair.html
This was so sweet, I absolutely love reading proposal stories. Happy 8 year to you both! Your anniversary is the day after mine & the Swede’s 🙂 I want to hear your hubby sing the song! Btw you got engaged near my home town 🙂 Oh and your ring is gorgeous!!!
We actually got our engagement on film!
http://jennymayandswede.blogspot.com/2009/11/one-of-best-days-in-my-life.html
I love love love your engagement story! It’s the best when you aren’t really expecting it. I haven’t ever shared my engagement story, one day I will. That just made me so happy. And I think your ring is similar to mine. And I get to go to Newport Beach in July, maybe I will stand in the same spot as a picture of you guys and take a picture so we can be twinners. Thanks for sharing your story, that was really special.
such a cute story! I like the picture of you guys all dressed up at The Surfrider…I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten there before. lol Gotta love the Oregon Coast!
Happy Anniversary!! You guys are so cute! Your post just made me realize I’ve never posted my engagement story – I’ll have to do that one day!!
This was superduper sweet! I loveloved reading it! When we got engaged (on our 6 year anniversary), Ravi had told me the same day that we wouldn’t be getting engaged that day even though he had planned on it because the ring hadn’t come yet. I was bummed, but had had too many bummer days about not being engaged yet, so I was caught very off guard when he actually did propose that day!
It is a good story every time, I love how honest you are about your attitude, I remember some thoughts in my head during Matt’s and my proposal night. It is funny how we can be so grumpy when they are trying so hard :)It is lots of fun to sit around and remember those days, I remember you showing Ash and I your ring online, such a beaut.
Great story Lauren! And Congrats on 8 years!! Still waiting for my story to happen…but at least I know it’ll be this year, yay!
what a sweet, sweet story!! i love it!
you guys are down right adorable… what a wonderful inspiration you are to us newly married couples!
kiwi proposed while we were in new zealand visiting his family… it was one of the most amazing days of my life.
love the ring! is it from tiffany & co? i would probably be the biggest dork if someone asked me to marry them, i’d be like, “oh sure, um, nice ring, but can i get a st. bernard with that?!” LOL
Congrats on eight years! Amazing, and such a sweet proposal story.
SOOO CUTE!!!! Happy anniversary!! =)
-Dasha
xo
I hope you see this comment. We should totally trade. Brendan and I totally want to live in Portland! I think they’re equally expensive. The problem is the whole different country thing…
OH my gosh. I thought you guys were cute before, but now I really can’t stand it!!
My favorite parts are that you changed in the Quiznos bathroom and that he asked “will you be poor with me?” !!!!!! xo
whoa. whoa. whoa.
i thought i commented on here!?
well, in my mind i swear i did.
firstly, congrats to you both! how exciting! 8 long year!?
secondly, love love loooved your engagement story. craig so cute! i wish i could remember mine that vividly. everything was so blurry that night. i had no idea that it was coming. i just remember saying. “yes! yes! hell YES!” and i cried. hahah…
dang.. i really wish i had more pictures of that night. it was so magical. {as far as i can remember.}