Love is a verb.

06.13.12.

It was a lazy Wednesday afternoon. 

 I was tired from our long day at the beach, dreading the shower that lay ahead of me. 

I wish I could snap my fingers and be done. Classic wish on my part. 

My boo lay on the couch next to me, half asleep, scruffy beard, and a days worth of sun on his cheeks. 

He was pooped. 

Or so I thought. 

I brought myself together and took a quick shower, threw on some clothes, and came out to lazy on the couch some more before our girls night. 

Oh yeah did I mention that? It was Whitney's (Dave's sister) birthday so all of us girls were going out for ice cream and presents to celebrate her big day. 

I was a combination of nervous, excited, and exhausted. 

I glanced over at D.  

"Are you okay?" I asked, sensing a hint of... of... something. 

Yawn.  

"Yeah.. I'm just tired. I never got that nap I wanted" He tiredly replied.

Remembering the conversation we'd had earlier in the day about the naps we were daydreaming of taking, I dismissed it without a second thought. 

Dinner was ready and before I knew it I was being shuffled out the door for our girls night out. 

(Althought I did sneak a quick kiss and big hug from D before I ran out the door)

Here we go. Knots tied in my stomach. I hope this won't be weird.

About 3 minutes in those same knots were completely untied and had me wondering why they'd ever been there in the first place. It's Dave's family, of course this is going to be fun. We were laughing already.

The night wore on and with mouthfuls of Butterfinger injected vanilla custard stuffed in a homemade waffle cone, we ate our way through presents.

We made a quick store run for a few cabin needs, loaded up the car, and headed toward the dirt road roller-coaster that lead to the cabin.

With hands full of groceries I walked in the cabin door, greeted immediately by D's cousin. 

"Rach, can you sit right here for a minute?"

My heart jumped and my head raced.

"Why?" I managed in a nervous whisper.

"Dave just needs you to sit here for a minute." 

The next few seconds were a blur. People disappearing around me, my throat croaking for water. This is it. No way. Could this really be it? No way did he have the ring. They'd only started making it TWO DAYS ago. But if it's not, why is my heart racing? Where's Da--

The door creaked open. 

I looked up in unbelief. There stood my handsome D, dressed up in shirt and tie, clean shaven, looking as sharp as ever. A smile broke across my face when my eyes met his. Oh those blue, blue eyes.

"Rach, can you come with me for a minute?" 

My heart about popped out of my chest as my shaky legs lifted my body off the bench. 

Inside, the room was dimly lit, with a handmade fire blazing in the fireplace. 

Love is a verb
It ain't a thing
It's not something you own
It's not something you scream

In the center of the floor two red blankets lay surrounded by twinkling lights and rose pedals. 

When you show me love
I don't need your words
Yeah love ain't a thing
Love is a verb
Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb

Rose pedals lined the mantle and brushed the small table where two framed pictures sat shining in the light. I glanced at the prints inside to realize they represented this incredible journey we had been on. With one from one of the first dates we'd ever been on, 3 years earlier, to one only a few weeks back. I said a silent prayer of thanks for the man that stood in front of me, holding my hands in his.

Love ain't a crutch
It ain't an excuse
No you can't get through love
On just a pile of I-O-Us

"Rachel, I love you so so much." He started. 

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. OH. MY. GOSH.

"...and I've loved you for a very long time. I've loved you since we were only best friends.. I've loved you since we could only love each other to the moon and back..."

Love is a verb
Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb

My heart skipped a beat.

This is NOT real. This is THE moment. No. Way. 

"... I want to love you forever and have a family with you."

I love you too and I want that too an--

"So, Rachel..."

His knee bent and his hand pulled out a small black velvet box.

"Will you marry me?"

 I think my heart actually s t o p p e d. 

I couldn't help but cover my mouth in disbelief.

"Of COURSE!! Of course I will!" 

I think the world stopped spinning. It was just me and him. My future husband. My eternal companion.

So you gotta show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
That love is a verb

This is the moment I've been waiting for my entire life. This, right here. I can't believe this. Did that really just happen?

His big arms wrapped me in the most heart warming, sincere hug I've ever felt. We stayed there, glued together as the seconds past. I'm marrying him. My very, very best friend. I smiled as I let that thought sink in and breathed in the comforting smell of his cologne. 

On June 13th, 2012 David Steven Jackson asked me to be his bride. Can you believe it? Me neither.  (Grammar fanatics.. just let that one go)

For the first time in my life I looked into the loving eyes of my husband and knew, without a shadow of a doubt, it was him. He was mine. And I was his. 

Forever. (Yes, said like the Sandlot kid).

Through thick and thin. 

He slid the ring on my finger and with all the love in the world took my hand as we opened the door to greet the family. 

And we've been hand in hand ever since. 

 

 

08.28.12.

Meet you there. 

(53 days and counting).

R.

Love ain't a thing

Love is a verb