YOU CAN CALL ME MRS. TESTER

On Saturday, May 19th, Robbie and I were hanging out at my house with nothing to do. Days like this always make us irritable because we enjoy being active and having things to keep us occupied. As time passed on, Robbie decided that we should just get in the car and drive somewhere before we drove each other crazy.

When we arrived at the mall, Robbie looked at me and said, "Okay, we each have a $25 limit and our mission is to find something for the other person. It's 3:15 and we have to meet back here by 4:00. We will start out on opposite floors and if one of us decides to change, we have to call the other person to let them know." I was ready and excited about my mission! Come 4:00, we met back up and exchanged gifts: a florida state hat and a variety of bath and body works lotions. I later asked Robbie how he came up with this creative idea, and his response was, "Well, I figured this was a way that both of us could have fun doing something for the other person, but at the same time, didn't have to be with each other." Thanks, babe.. I love you too!

Upon leaving the mall, he asked me a couple of questions about the "future" engagement ring, and was explaining to me that he was having a hard time finding the right one. It meant a lot knowing that he wasn't going to purchase any ol' diamond ring and that it had to be the "right" one, but the excitement of becoming his fiance was consuming me, and I wasn't too sure how much longer my patience would last. However, I know God allows things to happen at the right time so I was trying not to let my desire get the best of me.

Later that night, we decided to get dinner and go see Spider Man 3 at I-MAX. When we arrived at my house, he realized he left his wallet at home. I told him it was no big deal and that I would just drive and buy dinner and the movie. He insisted on driving back home to get it in case he wanted to have a drink at dinner. So he headed for his home and I stayed at mine. Ten minutes later, he called me and said he could not find his wallet; he would look a few more minutes and then head to my house whether he had it or not. So when he finally came to my house, we got in my car and headed for the World Golf Village.

He and I had never eaten at CaddyShack and decided that was the place to go. We requested to sit on the patio because there weren't many people out there, despite the wonderful weather. Forty-five minutes later, we were seated. Ironically, as busy as the place was, Robbie and I were the only ones sitting outside the entire time we were there. We started out with some delicious seared tuna (which I was hesitant about) and then had two great entrees. After a couple of bites, Robbie decided to order some dessert before we became too full. This occasion is very rare for us as we never go all out for meals. I wanted to think that he was going to make the night special, but that just wasn't going to happen since I was told earlier that he was having a hard time finding the right ring.

At the conclusion of dinner, we walked around the calming fountains and enjoyed the peace and quiet that surrounded us. I could not figure out why, but I started getting really nervous, and I felt as if I were on my first date with him again (although that night consisted of a horrible movie). I found myself telling him a story and it seemed to last forever - even to me! As he led me up some stairs and onto a small putting green, I tried to reach the point of my story. As I was telling him about a conversation Jayna and I had, I said that her and I were lucky to have guys with such a good sense of direction. As he turned and looked into my eyes, I started tearing up and asked him, "What are you doing..? Are you really..?" His response was, "Speaking of direction, how would you like to follow me for the rest of your life? I love you and want to be with you forever." Due to being caught up in the moment and so overwhelmed with the occasion, I said yes.. two minutes later.

As we left WGV, he began to unveil the day to me. He never left his wallet and never went home to find it. Rather, he went to the mall and was purchasing my ring. When we got into the car to drive to dinner, he put the box in the side of my car door. When we were getting out of the car at WGV, he took the ring out of the box and slid it into his wallet. He never had plans to see Spider Man 3 at I-MAX.