JJ's Journey Jottings: A 4th To Remember

Yesterday was the 4th of July and a day I will forever remember.  It was the day that my Nathan, my best friend, asked me to marry him.

The day began at 6:30 AM, on my only day off mind you, because Nathan had to scout some fields. I have always thought it would be fun to ride along and actually see first hand what he does, however I really didn't have in mind a day when I actually had a chance to sleep in. Because I love him and the fact that he guilted me into going, I got up, put some old clothes on, through my hair up and out the door we went. It was actually still cool enough outside that it wasn't miserable at all and I had a lot of fun. We basically did a lot of off-roading on the four wheeler and I asked a ton of annoying questions about corn and bugs.

Nathan was nice enough to drop me off at home around 10:00 so that I could get my workout in before it got too hot. When he got home for lunch, I was sweaty and exhausted and just wanted to sit in the air conditioning forever. The poor guy even had to heat up leftovers for himself, because I was being so lazy. Looking back this behavior was not exactly screaming marry me!  A good wife would have at least heated up the leftovers for him.

After lunch we did a few things around the house, and then Nathan hung our new flag pole on the front porch. We had been meaning to put it up for some time, and I demanded that it be done for the 4th of July. As always, Nathan didn't complained. He did just as I asked him to do. I am very lucky to have him.

We had been invited to a friend's house for a barbecue that evening and I was responsible for bringing an appetizer. I wanted to make something different, so I found a recipe for fruit salsa with homemade cinnamon chips. Nathan asked me if I wanted his help and I said he didn't have to if he didn't want to, but after a few minutes of me in the kitchen he appeared and I was thankful that he did. He prepared and baked the chips while I mixed up the salsa. I remember thinking, we really do make a great team.

We cleaned up, hopped in the truck and headed west on highway six. I had never been out to our friend's house before, so I really didn't know where we were supposed to be going. When we got to highway 14, I asked Nathan where they lived and he said that he was going to stop out at his parents place first. This was not unusual at all, so I thought nothing of it. When he turned down the field road instead of the driveway, my mind started to wonder but still this was not totally uncommon behavior for Nathan. Then when he kept driving farther and farther away from the house and the road I finally said, "Where are we going?" He calmly responded that he had found something out in the field the other day and that he wanted to show me. It was then that I was finally realizing this could be it! The moment I have so patiently, and sometimes not so patiently, been waiting to transpire. I knew right where he was taking me. He was driving me out the pond.

When Nathan and I first started dating, I came to Sutton and we spent the day riding four wheelers. He took me out to a pond near his parents' house to show me a big fish he had been trying to catch. He used corn and mulberries to bait the fish to the edge so that I could see it. I remember that day very vividly. I adored his golden curls sticking out from his hat in the sun and his tan skin. I remember how quiet and patient he was and how at peace I felt in that moment. I just knew that this relationship was different from all the others. I was certain that something incredible was in the making. Many months ago, I had told Nathan about that moment and how it stood out in my mind. Well, he must have really been listening, because he wanted to take me back to that very place.

When we got out of the truck, he helped me jump over a puddle of water and we walked up to the edge of the water. I was really hoping that he was going to get down on one knee at that point. If he had brought me all the way out there in the heat and my dress clothes to look at some stupid fish, I was going to be very disappointed. Very disappointed to say the least!

He was nervous and a bit shaky as he began a heartfelt speech about how much he loved me and Jentry and then got down on one knee.  I will never forget that moment. When he opened the ring box I was taken away by how beautiful the ring was shining in the sun. I said, "YES! Absolutely YES!"

We spent the rest of the night sharing our exciting news with family and friends. I, of course, called my mother right away. She said congrats and to let her know when we had decided on a date so that she could plan her vacation. Too funny... this is so my mother. When I called my sister, she didn't answer! What could have possibly been more important than me at that moment? When I finally spoke with her, she said Isaac was really excited when he realized that it was Nathan I was going to marry. I just love that kid.

As we drove back into town watching all the fireworks in the night sky and a beautiful orange moon coming up over the corn fields, I could not help but to take a moment and thank God for giving me a man who not only loves me but also loves my daughter with all his heart. I have never been happier!

The Future Mrs. McKenzie