and the story continues

You may remember that Andy and I were really just friends at one point (for real, remember?). Sometimes we wonder how we were ever just friends. I know those of you who knew is in Malawi are giving the biggest eye roll ever at that statement. You all seemed to see things so much more clearly than we did. But, all of those details are part of our story.

On October 30th, we added another chapter to our story. Many of you are begging for details, so here they are. Pictures and all.

First, dinner at Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant. We loved going to Ethiopian food in Malawi with our friends. In fact, the Malawi restaurant even has the same name. The food was delicious and it's a pretty intimate meal to share together, since you eat it with your hands!Then, we went and walked around downtown Portland. We were just walking around looking at things, really. Andy was careful to keep me on his right side, since he was holding precious cargo in his jacket pocket. At one point I though I might have felt something, but figured it was just his cell phone or something. He was waiting for the perfect moment. It didn't come in Portland though. So we headed home.
We got home and Andy poured us some wine (made from this one kind of fruit that isn't really a grape, but grows in Alabama, I forget what it's called) and plugged in the iPod with the special playlist we had been listening to in the car. He even titled it "date night." Cute. My suspicions were aroused a little bit because he kept his coat right next to where we were sitting on the couch. Hmm. We were cuddling on the couch and reminiscing about the first time Andy told me that he loved me and hoped to marry me. At that point our song came on (You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontange) and he said, "I have some more to add to that conversation. Is that okay?" I said, "Okay." He reached (very stealthily) into his jacket and pulled out the ring box and said, "Will you marry me?" I was slightly confused, and in shock. We hugged, we kissed, I was laughing. I remembered that he asked a question that required an answer. I said yes and we hugged some more. After a couple of minutes I realized that I hadn't even looked at the ring. I asked to see it and he put in on my finger. It is beautiful. I love it. Not as much as I love him though. We took these pictures a few minutes later. Enjoy!