We were on a little trip to the wedding of some dear friends, which was on Friday, Oct. 6th. Hunter was a groomsman, and I just attended. It was so much fun, getting to know this couple, and seeing how happy they were in their beautiful wedding and the fun party afterward at a brewery.
I had wanted to come back to Dallas on Saturday, but Hunter really wanted us to stay all weekend and show me around Santa Fe. I have been there before, because my family went to New Mexico many summers while I was growing up, and I knew how lovely it was in the fall. So I agreed :)
The hot air balloon festival was going on that day, and we saw so many balloons dotting the sky as we left Albuquerque. It was magical. The weather was a perfect crisp fall chill, and we listened to the soundtrack to Newsies as we drove into Santa Fe. Hunter wanted to go see the Cathedral first (the Basilica of St. Francis) and we parked and he was acting a little funny...he told me to go see about parking fees in this (almost empty) parking lot. I had a feeling he was going to propose, and I was soooo hoping he was going to propose that day, that I could hardly breathe. But we were both trying to act totally normal. It's really funny looking back :) I noticed when we were walking toward the Cathedral that Hunter had something box-shaped in his pocket. I tried not to be obvious, but I was so very excited.
Hunter is usually a *take your time* sort of walker, but he grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the huge wooden doors of the church. When we were in the foyer, they stopped us and said we couldn't go in because a wedding was going on. Hunter was visibly put out, and suggested we go get lunch first and then come back. We went to the Loretta Chapel next door, and ate lunch a cute diner. I remember I got this huge salad and I had a really hard time eating it because I was so on edge.
Walking back to the Cathedral, Hunter saw a Hagen Daaz ice cream parlour and asked if we could get ice cream. Being my always figure conscious self, I said no. He scurried us back to the Cathedral. I remember being so enchanted with how perfectly still and clear and alive the air felt around me. We went into the church and started looking around the main church, which was now wedding-less but full of tourists. We looked at the shrines, the artwork, and I pretended to not be freaking out inside. Hunter kept looking around over his shoulder at the people around us. I was on pins and needles.
Finally, we made our way into the Lady Chapel over on the side of the altar. It was, thankfully, totally private. As we walked up to aproach the altar, I felt Hunter drop away from walking with me. I could not breath. He tapped me on the shoulder, and I didn't budge or respond. He finally said "Amy" and I turned around and he was down on one knee, with the ring box out. He said "Will you marry me, my darling?"
I didn't answer. I was too stunned (even though I had a pretty good idea of what was happening). I just had waited so long for this moment, and it was hard to believe it was happening. It is STILL hard to believe when I look down and see my wedding ring next to that beautiful platinum solitaire.
When I finally said "yes" he got up, we hugged and kissed, and teared up, and then knelt down and prayed for God to bless us. When I said the word "fiance" in my prayer, Hunter quietly let out a gasp. It was becoming real for both of us.
After that, he asked me again if I wanted to get ice cream. He figured he'd ask again after he proposed, because he really wanted it and bet I'd say yes.
And I did :)
Happy one year of being promised, Hunter. 2nd best day of my life!
