The 8th of February was the best day of my life thus far... it was a day that I will never forget. I woke up thinking it was just another day- got ready for school, packed my clothes to stay at Leah's, and headed off to Lake View Elementary. Steven and I try to meet every once in a while during the week in Tuscaloosa (it's our middle meeting place) to have dinner. This week he told me that his "flight" was coming to eat also. So I packed a change of clothes (not wanting to wear the good ole' PE clothes out to dinner). I stay at Leah's house as often as I can to save on gas, and I would be lying if I said it wasn't to just have "girl time." The plan was to have dinner in T-town then head back to Leah's... the normal routine.
But oh how I was so wrong...
I got to Outback in Tuscaloosa, and I saw no one. I parked, and then I noticed my girlfriend Becky parked right next to me. She got out of her car and handed me a bouquet of roses and a card. I asked her, "What are you doing? What is going on?" She simply said, "I have to go. Have fun!" That was IT! She got in her car and drove away. I was in complete shock. Then I opened my first card.
"Ten and a half months ago we started an incredible journey. I knew from the moment I saw you walking across the parking lot at The Summit that I felt something special. Since that day I have grown to love you more than words can describe. You are my everything. Today is a special day. It's a day for me to show you how much you mean to me. So please go on this short journey and revisit some places that hold a special place in my heart. The first place is not a place we have visited in the past ten and half months. It's the place where I saw you for the first time. Who would have thought I would meet the woman I want to marry at the location where I volunteered for a new college class?"
Matthews Elementary School
On my way to Matthews I called Leah Colley. I was so excited! I thought she was in on this little adventure and knew about it (only to find out later that Steven did not tell her- knowing that she would have definitely told me)! I called Meg, my sister, next and told her what was going on. She, of course, screamed and could not believe that Steven did not tell her (again knowing that she would have told me). Her first question to me (and those of you that know Meg will understand) was, "What are you wearing? You're not in your PE clothes are you?" The next statement from Meg was this, "He should have told me so I could have told you to get your nails done!" From this point on I had to call Meg after every step in the adventure...
At Matthews I parked and walked to the front of the school. A woman walked out and asked, "Can I help you?" I told her that this may sound crazy, but my boyfriend asked me to come here... She interrupted me with, "Oh, you must be Tess?!" I was in shock- then I saw a guy out of Steven's "flight" drive through the lot. When I asked him what he was doing there he simply replied with, "Check out the sign by the road." Then he drove away (not before giving a thumbs up- thanks Lt. Pukalo). I walked to the "Matthews Elementary" sign, and there I found a second bouquet of roses and a second card.
"This place doesn't look like much. That's for sure. But it will always hold a special place in my heart. Just inside that building I saw you for the first time. At the time I only knew you as "the sexy PE coach from Shelton State." Who would have thought that we would be where we are now three years later? God definitely works in mysterious ways. I knew you were special the day I met you, but I had no idea how lucky I would be to fall in love with you in the future. The next place I want you to go is the Riverwalk where we shared a little quiet time one weekend before you had to go back home from visiting me in Tuscaloosa. We sat on a rock and watched the river and just enjoyed being together. I held you and tried to convince you not to go home, but of course you had to. I'm so thankful for the times like the one we shared at this next place, and I look forward to many more times like that one in the future."
The Riverwalk
I parked at The Riverwalk, and walked across the parking lot searching for Steven. I kept looking thinking he was watching me. But I saw no one. I walked up to a rock and there sat a third bouquet of roses and a third & final card. After reading the card, I was walking back to my car when I heard a car horn honk. It was Becky and Tyler! Steven had people stationed at each location making sure I knew my way. They made sure I knew where to go then said, "Goodbye."
"Seems like yesterday we sat here an just talked about life and how we felt about each other. It may not seem all that important of a memory, but for me it was. It has stuck out in my mind as one of the most memorable times I have shared with you. But this place pales in comparison to the last place I want you to go. You once referred to the next place as your "most favorite place in Tuscaloosa." We have actually been to this place a few times, but my favorite memory of us there is when you gave me my graduation gift. That night you gave me the most amazing gift anyone as ever given me, and cherish it to this day. The next place is by far the most amazing place in Tuscaloosa, and it has also become my most favorite place in Tuscaloosa as well. I will see you there!"
Capitol Park
For those of you who do not know what Capitol Park is... the park was the site of the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846. In 1847 the capitol was moved to Montgomery. It was burned in 1923, and all that is left are these beautiful ruins and columns.
I parked. I saw him.. just Steven. I was shaking uncontrollable. I walked down a single gravel path to the man of my dreams. I remember my first words, "Well you sure have been busy." He was standing on the steps of what was left of these beautiful ruins in the middle of the most beautiful park I will ever know. He was holding a final bouquet of roses. I walked up the steps, and he reached out for my hands. He told me how much he loved me, how he will make mistakes along the way, how we will recover from those mistakes, how he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving me... He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said, "YES!" We kissed and hugged for what seems like forever. He even hired a photographer to stand by and take pictures.
It was so perfect. It truly was a fairy tale, and I could not imagine this journey any other way. It was the most perfect day, and I am blessed beyond words that God would allow me to experience the grace of such a God-fearing man like Steven. He is the warmth of my heart, and there is no one in the world that I would rather be spending the rest of my life with. He is my best friend... my everything. God has blessed us both, and we are so thankful that we are starting this journey together. I love you Steven Kline.
After the proposal we decided to meet Becky and Tyler (the only people that knew) for dinner at Chuck's in Tuscaloosa. Becky and Tyler will be getting married in May, and I wish them all the happiness in this world. They are two friends that I will forever be thankful for. I love them, and I am so glad they experienced this day with Steven and I.
