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We’ve had a huge secret at our house for about three weeks and it’s been killing me! Taryn’s boyfriend talked to Jim and asked for her hand in marriage. He has been waiting for just the right time to pop the question and Taryn has been wanting to have the question popped at her! Jim and I had to keep it from her and our other kids, which was no small feat.
Last night he took her to the top of Turkey Spur, their favorite scenic spot where they had their first date, he proposed, she was thrilled, and all secrets were out in the open. He totally caught her by surprise when she was least expecting it because she thought he still hadn’t asked Jim.
Let me tell you, Jim did not make this easy for him. He does not like boys coming around his girls. If they never marry and all stay home with us for the rest of their lives, that would be fine with him. He likes Andy, but I guess he wanted to see how much Andy really loved Taryn. Jim is a big tease, and he has never missed an opportunity to give Andy good run for his money. If Taryn mentioned a color she might like for her wedding in Andy’s presence, Jim’s response was, “I don’t know why we are even having this discussion. Nobody has asked me for permission.” If the two lovebirds were discussing where they might live someday, Jim would say, “Nobody has talked to me.” In his blustery way, he was trying to be intimidating. I guess it worked, because it took Andy about three months to muster up the courage.
Taryn and Andy met at Concord about a year and a half ago, and there was almost an instant connection. I’ve prayed for that girl all her life because she has always liked boys, even as a baby. She was always either in a relationship or trying to date someone. I figured I’d get maybe one year of college out of her before she got married and then that would be the end of that. But God heard my prayers, she finally decided it was ok to be single and content, and then Andy came along. Amazing.
Andy is not like any young man I’ve ever met, especially of this generation. He’s very polite, always says please and thank you, has a great smile, loves NASCAR and the late Dale Earnhart, and lets his grandma cut his hair. He has very curly hair, and says he used to have a bowl cut when he was little. I have no idea how that could possibly be, because the longer his hair gets, the taller it gets – kinda like the Heat Miser on Santa Clause is Coming to Town. He has a great sense of humor, which is one of the biggest reasons Taryn was drawn to him. She thinks he is the funniest person ever, and has always said she needed someone who could make her laugh. I’d like to think she gets that from me, because I’ve always taught her that humor is important in marriage and that was what I was looking for when I found her dad. I mean he found me. He totally hit on me first, I didn’t like him to begin with – after all, he was sticking his tounge out in the shape of a bowl, letting his friends see how many spoonfuls of sugar they could put in it. Gross.
It has been fun to see Taryn and Andy’s relationship bloom and grow. They get along really well and have a good understanding of one another. Andy is very laid back; Taryn is high strung. Andy takes a long time to make a decision; Taryn wants everything done yesterday. Andy will keep his opinion to himself; you never have to wonder with Taryn. Andy can save his money; Taryn – well, she’s trying to get her shopping habit under control! It sounds like I like Andy better than Taryn, but in reality, I have come to appreciate the differences in them and how they balance each other.
Our kids are so excited to have a new brother. Andy has always been warm and receptive to them, and Nolan loves the fact that he’s not the only guy his age in the crowd now. He even put as his facebook status, “MY SISTER IS ENGAGED!” and he never gets excited about anything.
Last week while having a phone chat with Andy’s mom, she expressed her delight at the coming proposal. “I used to try and encourage Andy to date and he’d say, ‘Mom, when I’m in college I’ll find a girl and then I’ll marry her’, and I guess that’s exactly what he’s doing!” We both agreed that when it’s right, you know it, and in this case – we know it.
Taryn is such a fun, outgoing, compassionate person, I’m so happy she’s found her soul mate. This morning I texted her, “Do you still like your ring?” “I LOVE IT!!! Every time I woke up last night I thought yesterday was a dream!” Here’s to hoping many, many happy years with your beloved Andy, sweet girl. I love you!
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