The Kesler's

6.27.08

Exactly 3 years ago today, Jared asked me to be his with the sweetest proposal and surprise engagement party. It was e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g I hoped it would be. 

But let’s back up… 

December 22, 2007 
The night we met.

(Yes, the photo of us isn’t the best, but it’s THE night we met. Have to keep it!)

—This is going to be long so buckle up and chill out— 

We met at the Aardvark off of Berry. He was hanging out with some of this high school kids hearing their band play. I was there with friends waiting to hear the main band (Green River Ordinance) take the stage. I walked out of the bathroom with all of my girlfriends and saw Jared. I know this sounds corny, but it’s true: when I saw Jared it was like the room paused. I remember exactly how he was sitting, what he was wearing, and that great smile on his face. My girlfriends grew up with Jared so we all went over to talk to him (woo hoo!!!). Jared shook my hand and my heart was beating insanely fast! We talked the rest of the night and I was just on cloud 9. Ok, I was 19 years old. Jared was 24 about to be 25. I was 19… has that sunk in yet? 19! 

When I met Jared I was coming out of the darkest period of my life. I have a “medical condition” and in early-mid ‘07 I was going through treatment. Well treatment did NOT go as planned and I had to detox from the treatment in a facility, and because I needed help processing through the junk in my heart. It was a dark, dark, lonely place, BUT God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness pulled me out of that rut and helped me begin the long (spiritual and mental) healing process. 

So when I met Jared I felt like I had a new lease on life. My eyes were open to things they hadn’t been before and considering what I had just gone through I was very vulnerable. I strongly feel that the Lord used Jared to shepherd my heart and to be my protector. I get teary when I write this because God’s mercy is so rich and I can look back through my life and see how He intervened and just took over. God gave me so much by His son dying on a cross and then He gave me Jared. I am so undeserving. 

Back to our story…

Jared & I started dating in January 2008. And like most other new couples we were completely infatuated with one another. I knew Jared was “the one” after our first date. In detail he described what he felt that God was calling him to long-term and it was exactly what the Lord began to layout for me in high school. It fit together seamlessly. Of course I called my girlfriends and just exploded with happiness over my new relationship with this man! …They weren’t too pleased, but I really didn’t care. 

Fast forward to June…

Jared & I went ring shopping, talked about getting married, imagined what it would be like to not have to say goodbye at the end of the night, and I thought he would propose some time around Christmas. I even went wedding dress shopping with a friend just to try them on and play pretend. I found THE dress, but I wasn’t engaged so obviously, I didn’t think I would get it. 

June 27, 2008

I got off work early to hangout with Jared. We were supposed to be helping out with a party that night and I wanted to nap before. I didn’t have a dress to wear to the party that evening. Jared being so sweet wanted to take me to buy a new dress. Um, no girl will pass up an opportunity to go shopping! Then Jared came over to my apartment and we took a nap then I asked him to be honest with me about the ring I picked out. I wanted to know if he got it, or if it was already gone. He told me that he went back to get it, and it was gone. I seriously cried. He told me we could probably find something similar and that he was very sorry. Then out of nowhere he gave me a new pair of sunglasses. I love sunglasses so I thought it was so sweet of him and didn’t really think much about it. A dress and sunglasses in one day!?! Woo hoo! 

He went to his apartment to get ready for the party that night and I began to get ready at my apartment. I put on my new dress and walked over to Jared’s apartment. It was h-o-t outside. I walked into Jared’s apartment and saw him playing with Lincoln Logs. He was dressed so handsomely and asked me to help him finish building this house. I couldn’t refuse, it was just too cute. We finished building the house then he asked if he could fly his remote control airplane before we left for the party. I got pretty irritated because he wanted to fly it on the Trinity Trails which meant climbing under a fence, over a concrete pipe, and I was wearing heels and a dress. I tried to talk him out of it because we kind of running late, but he said he would fly it real quick- the wind was perfect that day. 

We got on the bottom of the levy and Jared started tinkering with his little airplane. I was (selfishly) mad at this point. It’s hot, I’m dressed up and now I’m sweating. He was acting so weird and nervous. I just thought he didn’t want to crash his plane. Ha. 

He walked over to me and started saying really sweet things and kissing me. I was really confused. Then he asked to pray with me. He prayed the sweetest prayer, then asked me what I thought about the dress, sunglasses, and Lincoln Logs. I couldn’t put the pieces together. He said the dress was to provide for me, the sunglasses to protect me, and the Lincoln Logs was symbolic of the home we’ll build together. It was all things Jared wanted to do: provide, protect and build a home together. Then he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife with THE ring that I loved!!  

Through streams and streams of tears I think I finally got out something that sounded like “yes”. Then we walked over to this tree that we used to sit under and talk for hours. It was our little hiding spot. He had a CD player out there with “These Are The Days” by Van Morrison playing. We danced and did all of the lovely-dovey stuff then he handed me a bible. On the front it said, “Lacey F. Kesler”. I was shocked. It was so beautiful. 

(He had a friend hide and take pictures!) 

Realizing that we still had to help out with a party we picked up everything and left. Jared said that we’d call some of our friends after the party and have them celebrate with us. We pull up to the party that we’re supposed to be helping out with, walk in the door, and it’s a surprise engagement party for us. Jared is so sneaky!

It was the best party. I was so surprised and happy! Jared really went over the top and made me feel so special!

After the party my momma and soon to be ex step father person were going to California that night for vacation so we met them at my apartment so I could show them the ring.  

(Remember me saying that I found THE dress? Well the store that was selling that dress was closing the same day I got engaged so I didn’t think I would be getting it.)


My mom knew how much I wanted that dress so before coming to my apartment she went to the bridal store literally as they were closing their doors and bought it! Again, I started crying! 

It was a magical night. Jared is a pure gift from God, and I am so thankful for him. 

So there you have it. The whole enchilada of how we became us.