We Got Engaged!!

A few weeks prior to our engagement we had a somewhat insignificant yet fun to celebrate anniversary so Jacob and I decided to get some updated pictures, Jacob claimed he needed a new profile picture... We made a big deal out of it. Purchased whole new outfits and made an entire day out of shopping. We found all we needed for about ten dollars at the Salvation Army, went to the mall, bought a pretzel (It was very yummy and once I had finished it we headed home). I ended up with a migraine cutting the day short. I felt really bad to end the day on this note but Jacob assured me the day had not been ruined and he did not mind having to head home. So that was that, at least we had started the day by finding the outfits we needed and were all set for the coming week.

The next Friday, February 25th 2022, marked two years and three months of Jacob and I dating. We dressed up in our new outfits, got coffee, and set out to find the perfect winter scenery for our photos...

The night before lowville had received a pretty heavy snow storm, creating difficult roads but leaving everything snow covered and picture perfect. The storm, however, left behind strong, cold winds and in an effort to escape we continued to drive, slowly, looking for a more sheltered road deeper in the woods. The “old Junker” pushed through the unplowed roads eventually bringing us to a road where the wind had been caught in the trees. It was quiet, beautiful, and just the smallest bit warmer out of the wind. It was perfect.

Just before we stopped a snow plow came clambering down the side of the road opposite us. Knowing it would not be long before the driver found the end of the road and turned around to plow the side we had parked on. We stopped, quickly assembled our tripod (because we were far too awkward to actually get our pictures taken by another human), discussed exactly what poses we would do, took one last drink of hot coffee and hopped out of the car and into the cold. Test shot one: one medioker picture. We retreated to the car, grabbed a sip of coffee and hopped out to try again. I hopped out before Jacob to adjust the tripod for a better shot while Jacob “put his coat in the back”, I did not understand why he would not want his coat but planned to be done quickly so I was not too worried about it. Jacob got out, I only saw him out of the corner of my eye while I messed with different angles.

“I have a question” he said, I acknowledged him slightly still messing with the camera.

“What?’ I said very quickly as I glanced at him. He had pulled out a little, square, black box and was starting to get down on one knee. It took me a few seconds to process what exactly was happening. Once I wrapped my head around it he was fully down on one knee (a slight challenge in the snow)...

“Janelle Christine Pierce, we have known each other for most of our lives, we have kind of grown up together, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife” I just kind of smiled and leaned down to give him a hug forgetting that i needed to in some way respond to the question.

“Will you?” he asked, smiling, at that I remembered.

“Yeah”

Not “yes”, “of course”, “I would like nothing more in the whole wide world”, or something nice and sappy. Just “yeah”.

Anyway, I said yes and we decided we should go tell our families.

So, we packed our whole operation up and drove away on the wrong side of the road.

Life Lesson With Me For Me:

I had been impatient for this day to the point of being unhealthy and a while before this I had to let go of the whole idea of getting married because it was holding it too tightly and very much writing my own script instead of letting God's timing play out. I created a lot of stress in my life by making my plans and put pressure on Jacob unintentionally. I started to feel very discouraged and out of control and that was an obvious problem for a lot of reasons, I had to let it go.

I started making an effort not to bring marriage as often and I actively tried to focus on present things when the idea of getting married came up. not because I no longer wanted to get married or getting married was wrong but I had a perfectly good life right in front of me to focus on.

I was moved out and making a home, involved in leading a winter camp with a friend and that was tons of fun, I was working and enjoying my job a lot, I was involved with the youth group and a whole new generation of youth, I was a part of our church worship team and loved that, I had the opportunity to lead a music for a group of really fun kids for a christmas play, and tons of other opportunities at my feet in that moment that I really enjoyed focusing on. Some of those things I did with Jacob and that was a really cool part of them but the bottom line was I would not have had the opportunities I had in that season had I allowed what I wanted to be all I focused on.

Letting go of my timeline and plan was challenging, however, as soon as I let go of it, as soon as I got rid of the guidelines I had for God's plan he exceeded every expectation I had.

He is a lot bigger than me, and has a lot better for me than I can understand.