If you're like me, you love to hear people's love stories! Our son got himself engaged a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I'd share just a bit of their story with you.
Sam asked for and received Bro. Harris' permission to propose several months ago, but he did ask that Sam wait until the Harrises were in town (they are missionaries to Japan) so that Juliana could share her special day with her mother. Sam readily agreed, and over the past few months, several dates were suggested, but none worked out until May 5th.
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| Jessica, Juliana, and Jannah. Juliana has no clue that by the end of the day, she will be engaged! |
On that morning, Juliana and her sisters drove to Los Angeles to pick up their parents at the airport, followed by a morning together and then lunch. After lunch, the family arrived at the
Vasquez Rocks park, a place Juliana has wanted to go for the entire five years she's been at college, but had never done. Juliana was under the impression that Sam was at his usual weekend extension ministry in a nearby town. Little did she know that Sam was actually at the top of that rock waiting for her!
The entire family (parents, three girls and little brother) climbed up almost to the top, allowing Juliana to go on ahead.
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| A little puzzled. She said something about everybody acting weird?! |
When she got to the top, she saw one of Sam's friends standing next to a wedding-style column, balancing a vase of roses. She really was puzzled by that, because they seemed to be for her, but Sam was nowhere in sight. Their friend finally convinced her to come take the roses, and when she did, Sam stepped from his hiding place!
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| Sam's friend, who handily disappeared once she took the roses |
Sam had prepared well for this day, but he was SO nervous all week! He said when he saw her come around that rock, though, he was fine, and everything went according to his plans.
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| I love the look of delight on her face as he shows her the ring and asks her to marry him! |
They sat down together on the top of the rock, family far enough away to be unable to hear what was being said, but close enough for Little Brother, age 7, to ask what in the world was Sam doing?! LOL Juliana herself was still not quite sure what Sam was up to as he began to talk to her . . . until he went down on one knee . . . pulled the ring box out of his pocket . . . and asked her to marry him!
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| This is actually a re-enactment, but it's one of my favorite pictures! |
She hesitated for only a second before saying, "Yes!" and he slid the ring on her finger. From what I understand, she was not sitting quietly during all this; she was very excited and totally not believing what was happening! :)
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| Juliana's family |
After the official popping of the question, hugs were exchanged among parents and siblings and Juliana, the ring was admired, and Sam was officially hugged by his parents-in-law-to-be.
We're able to have pictures of the entire event thanks to two people. Andrew went with Sam to the rocks that morning to set up his camera on another rock. He took pictures during the actual proposal. Juliana's sister, Jannah, always has a camera with her, and many of the before-and-after pictures were taken by her. Since we weren't able to be there, I'm very, VERY thankful for Andrew and Jannah taking pictures!
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| We're engaged! |
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| Sam had some 'splainin' to do! |
Sam and Juliana are enjoying this new level of their relationship, and I'm enjoying watching them. They're planning their wedding for late this year, in Georgia, where Juliana's family is from. Then she'll be joining Sam in Lancaster, where he will be teaching at
WCBC. We're pretty excited! And we're so thankful to the Lord for His leadership in Sam and Juliana's lives. Wes and I couldn't be more pleased with his choice of a wife if we had hand-picked her ourselves!
To God be the glory! Great things He hath done!
