Marrying an Airman

So, I guess it's my turn to write a note about the whole business, since my better half wrote one. :)

My Airman graduated from the Air Force yesterday. He lost 25 pounds while there and is in the best physical shape he's ever been in. I am so proud of him that I could just about burst, and I can't say enough to him how proud I am, or how good he looks. Although I loved him just as much before, his confidence is greatly raised by getting fit and that makes me so happy for him! He looked so fantastic with his snare drum on, and so serious, my heart just swelled looking at him. Even the changes that Basic Training brought to him other than his physical appearance are amazing. He's grown up a lot, and is even more polite than before. I can't even open a door for myself. :)

I got to spend time with him the past couple days, and I realized that the saying is true - distance makes the heart grow fonder. I'm sure he might have gotten creeped out by me staring at him, cause I just couldn't seem to take my eyes off his face for long. I missed hearing his voice and seeing him so much, it's turned me into a creeper. lol. I can't even explain how strong my feelings are for him... but you people thaat have been there, you know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, yesterday, Jared also made me the happiest woman on Earth and asked me to marry him. He had told me earlier in the day that he wanted to find a two-person gondola to ride in on the river for a while, because he wanted to get some alone time to talk. We never did find one, but when we and his parents got to our dinner reservation early, he asked if we could go walk by ourselves a while. So, we went back the way we came, and he said he wanted to find an ivy-covered bridge that we had thought was pretty. He took me up on it, and he was just so SERIOUS when he looked at me, I freaked a little because I thought he had bad news of some kind. We were sitting on the bridge.

He told me that he had had two months to think and had made some decisons. Then, he pushed off of the wall, and it was then that it hit me. My hand went over my mouth as he turned around and knelt down. I was crying by the time he got the ring out, held it up, and asked if I would marry him. I was choked up at first that I couldn't even talk; I just nodded and was finally able to say yes a moment later. He slipped it on my finger and then I pulled him up and we hugged for a while. I was so happy that I was still crying and my hands were shaking.

We walked back to the restaurant and when we walked in, his stepdad goes, "So?" I held up my hand, and he jumped up and hugged me, saying welcome to the family, and then his Mom and his Dad hugged me too, making me cry all over again. I was so keyed up that I forgot to look at the menu and had to be reminded. I called my Mom and told her (she's so happy for us) and then fianlly settled into a routine again.

I can't help but play with the ring all the time. It's perfect in every way and it even fits my finger perfectly, even though Jared didn't know my size and just had to pick one. I am incredibly happy that I am his fiancee and I couldn't be any more proud that I can tell everyone he is serving our country. During the coin ceremony and graduation, it really hit me how much he's sacrificing, even if it may not be life. He is making a life-altering change by serving and I respect him so much for making that decision. I told him earlier that I didn't think it was possible to be more in love with him, but I am now. I fell in love with him all over again the moment he knelt down and asked me the most important question of my life.

Jared, I love you more than anything, and I can't wait to be called Mrs. Wineland! Nothing in this world will make me happier than sharing my future with you, and I am anxious to start. I will miss you awfully for a while, but it will all be worth it when we're together. I'm yours forever and always.

So, that's an update on the events of the weekend, and I can't wait to come home and brag some more about Jared and how awesome he is. Love you all!