Congratulations Ann and Berry!

On Saturday night, I was settling in for a quiet evening at home when I get a phone call from Berry. The conversation goes something like this:

"Hi Berry!"

"Hey Krista. What's going on?"

"Not much. What's up?" (When Berry calls me, it's always because something's up.)

"Well, I'm going to propose to Ann tonight, and I wondered if you and some of Ann's other close friends would want to come surprise her at the restaurant and celebrate with us." (Mind you, this is in the most nonchalant tone possible.)

"Berry! YES! Oh my gosh!!! I'm thrilled!!!! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Needless to say, I got the details from him, and then immediately started calling our other roommates. We had about an hour and a half, so I ran to the store and picked up some celebratory items (roses, wine, strawberries for chocolate dipping, and...an essential for every bride-to-be...wedding magazines), had just enough time to make a small plate of chocolate covered strawberries, and then we made our way to Coronado. It wasn't until we were in the parking lot that I realized from the tone of the texts he was sending me that he wanted us to BE THERE WHEN HE ASKED. I thought we were just going to celebrate with them afterward. Heather Molascon and I whipped out our cameras and, followed by Cori and Val, snuck almost right up to their table. I'm pretty sure everyone in the restaurant except Ann was aware of our presence - it's not often that you see four girls crouching behind walls in a nice Italian restaurant. But her back was to us, and we were able to catch the moment.

She was just a little bit excited. :)

The whole restaurant was clapping, and several people made comments like "Congratulations!" and "Way to go!" and "That's awesome, man!" Ann was just in shock, and so ecstatic, that I think it took her a little bit to even realize that we were there, taking a million pictures.

Lots of jumping up and down. Several hits...followed by hugs...followed by hits...and so on. More jumping. Exclamations of "You wanna marry me!" Let's just say, she was very active.

Berry paid for their meal - his salad and her full-sized entree; she said it's the only time she's ever outeaten him - and then we went outside to take pictures by the bay. All the while, she kept saying, "you wanna marry me!" and "is this real?" This is one of those "is this real?" moments.

Let the phone calls begin. Lots of squeals from Ann's phone.

The ring held her quite captive.
It was so fun to get to be a part of such a special moment in their lives. I've loved being a part of their relationship since the night she came home from that fateful barbeque and said, "I think I met a boy." I've shared in lunches after church, many a barbeque, and a multitude of late-night debriefings after dates. Through it all, it has been so apparent to me that God has His hand on the lives of these two, and on their relationship. Berry moves with strength and pursues Ann passionately. Ann lets herself be pursued and respects Berry immensely. Berry's easy-going steady nature is a perfect compliment for Ann's zealous passion. They both love the Lord individually, and push each other to futher their walks with Him. They are a great match.That would be a great place to end this post. However, I happened to get some video of some of this wonderful couple's first moments engaged, and so I must share it. It portrays the evening far better than anything I could write. Please forgive the darkness - it was a romantically low-lit restaurant.