engagement rings

It happens all at once.  Out of the blue, you'll graduate college, and boom. Every one's got a rock.  Post-graduation, I have experienced a phenomenon of my life like no other.  I hear the term "wedding season", and think that's the next two years of my life, not a season.  I may sound cynical about the whole situation, but in reality I'm overjoyed for my friends and family that have met their match.  But the whole thing makes me happy for a totally different reason than soul mates and endless nights of dancing:  engagement rings bring stories.  And not just any stories, but I've found that the last few rings have brought a flood of stories in my own life about the paths that we take, and how we have no idea where they're going.  

Kara and Nate: I sat next to Kara to get my hair done for Beech High School's Prom five years ago (that number dropped my jaw a little).  She was just a sophomore, and was telling her hair dresser she was going with a senior. I was eavesdropping.  She had no idea who I was.  When she said his name, I recognized it.  Little did I know, five years later, I would be sleeping in a bed next to her on Spring Break laughing about how I had lied to her all night to get her out of the house so that we could set up 700 candles on the beach to spell out, "Kara, will you marry me?" 


Jamie and Chris:  I can't lie.  I had a crush on Chris in high school.  I took him to my junior prom.  And then he found Jamie.  I seriously wouldn't put any two people together today that are more perfect for each other.  Sitting in the pedicure chair, holding in a secret of Chris waiting at home with a ring for Jamie, I prayed, God, you sure do know what you're doing. Life with Jamie as my friend is never dull, full of smiles and lots of hugs.  Wearing that Guava colored bridesmaid dress will bring so much joy to my heart in 3 weeks! 


Magan and Austin: Magan's first word to me were, "What are you wearing?!" as I walked up to the volleyball courts at UT in a skirt after a birthday party.  Nice to meet you, too, is what really went through my mind, but I didn't say that.  I never would've guessed that blunt question would have lead to a friendship that included nights of laughter, sometimes tears, deep spiritual conversations, and lots of Grey's Anatomy.  If you would've asked me two years ago after those first words what Magan and my relationship would be today, Maid of Honor would have been no where in the response. 

I love how I'm always taken on a journey.  I never know where this thing is going.  Engagement rings bring stories.  Stories of a path you and I couldn't have imagined.  I love that.  I don't want to get married right now, but everyone else can keep bringing on the stories.