Everything is Different Now

We have a new writer here at Dubland. The following entry will explain it all....

And the answer is ... YES! Caleb proposed, Heidi accepted ... and now they're getting married! Want a little background? A few pictures? And an insight into future plans? Well, keep reading ...

Around the beginning of May, Caleb realized he couldn't live another DAY without asking Heidi out, and so he did. And she said yes. And things have moved forward ever since. They saw movies, went on long walks, hiked Mt. Whitney (tallest mountain in the continental U.S.), spent evenings at Disneyland, ate meals out, ate meals in, watched Lost every Wednesday night, went to baseball games and even a couple concerts, always having a good time.

As Spring bloomed into Summer, and Summer turned to Fall, and then Fall chilled into Winter, it was clear to them both that things would only get better, stronger, deeper. Love was growing like a weed after last year's rains. Every day was better than the last, and suspicions quickly grew in them both that this might be ... It. The One. The big question could quite possibly be answered.

Well, it turns out they were right. It didn't take long before Caleb realized he'd need Heidi forever, and she could no longer imagine a life without him. So, instead of a dream winter wedding, Heidi got the best holiday present there is, and the most beautiful ring a woman could want.

On New Year's Eve, though the day dawned cold and rainy, Caleb was determined to go through with his plans to "steal away" for some quality alone time with Heidi. Unbeknownst to Heidi he picked up the finished ring that very morning. He then packed a picnic lunch, complete with Trader Joe's sandwiches and Martinelli's sparkling cider. The original plan was to go on a hike, but the rain was coming down in buckets, so they rerouted to the beach. Around 1:00 it was time to eat, and they found a nice dry spot under a bridge, with a perfect view of the waves crashing against the shore. After the meal, the rain finally let up a bit, so they decided to take a walk along the completely deserted beach (one advantage to all the adverse weather ... it kept everyone else away!).






As they walked along the beach Caleb began to share about what an amazing year its been, and how much his love had grown, and how attached he'd become to Heidi. Then he stopped, and they faced each other. And he said simply, "I have a gift for you, sort of left over from Christmas. Do you want it now?" Heidi looked at him a little suspiciously and said, "Of course I want it now." And then he pulled a small wrapped box out of his jacket pocket. Heidi, not being able to control her anticipation and excitement, began jumping up and down, some might even call it "bouncing." She unwrapped the box and opened it ... only to find a smaller box inside. As she pulled that one out, Caleb suddenly dropped to one knee ... and before she had a chance to open it and see what was inside, she looked at him looking up at her, and he simply said, "Will you marry me?" The word "absolutely" was out of her mouth before he finished his sentence, and she leaned down and kissed him. Only then did he say to her, "Well, open the box." While he was still on his knees, she opened the box to find the most beautiful ring in the world, ready and waiting for her finger.

She put it on, and there was much rejoicing, some more bouncing, and admittedly, a little kissing. They spent another hour or so walking along the beach, talking and catching up on all the things Caleb had kept secret for the past month as he'd been planning this very moment. And then ... they were joined by Caleb's brothers and sister-in-law, and the five of them spent another hour or so chatting and talking ... and there was more rejoicing and bouncing.






About 4:30 they headed back to the house, where there was supposed to be a small party for Caleb's grandmother. But much to Heidi's surprise, there was a party for them! Her whole family was there, his whole family was there, as were a bunch of friends. In the end there were about 25 people eating dinner there that night, celebrating their engagement and looking forward to the New Year. It was a perfect night.

The last guests finally left around 10:30, at which time Caleb and Heidi promptly fell asleep watching a movie. It was the end of a perfect day, a day that will be remembered with much rejoicing, and maybe even a little bouncing.