So there I was one knee in the wet sand, two hands stretched out holding a shiny ring, a cacophony of beautiful poorly planned words spewing out of my mouth, and the most exquisitely stunning woman standing in front of me. I don't quite remember the exact words that I said other then the most important 4, "Will you marry me?". That August 24th Saturday was the day that the love of my life Mikaela Marion Redekop, agreed to spend the rest of her life with me.
Back up a week.
Buying a ring: Expensive
Picking the perfect ring myself without Mikaela knowing anything about the design, size, or cost: Priceless
The week before August 24th was the most stressful of my life. I was honestly checking on the ring every 3 hours just to make sure it was safe and in the same spot. Trying not to crack or seem stressed, I carried out my usual tasks for the week as Co-Director of our Jr. Co-ed Harbour camp. Mikaela and I spent quite a bit of time together that week yet she suspected nothing. Teehee. Jr. Co-ed was a very fun week and God really moved in kids' lives. Making himself known in ways that we could never explain. Roughly 5 or so kids gave their lives to Christ!! PRAISE GOD!!
That week ended and I still hadn't even planned how I was going to ask Mikaela to marry me. Yikes!
Saturday rolled around and by that timed I was prepared and believe or not, not even nervous anymore. You can ask Mikaela if you'd like and she will tell you that I was cool as a cucumber the day of. First thing I planned... romantic coffee date to the local cafe. Most good stories start that way actually... with a great cup o' java. The weather this day wasn't looking too pleasant actually... but I took chance and planned for a hike next. So we drove through the rain and as soon as we reached the parking lot to hike the Chinese Mountains the rain stopped. Thanks God. Hiked up and enjoyed the gorgeous view of Quadra and Discovery passage.
Hiked back down to the bottom... as we got to our car... it started raining. Weow!
Next on the agenda was the reservation I made at Tsa Kwa Luten resort for supper. Quite a fancy place... so we got ourselves all dressed up. This was the tricky part... hiding the ring. No ring box but in the breast pocket of my shirt. I have to say the only thing I was actually nervous about was dropping or losing the ring. I am very surprised she didn't notice me touching my breast pocket every 5 minutes to make sure the ring was still there. Dinner was very good, the service was only par. One of the waiters spilt water in my lap and didn't really care. I didn't let it get me down though. Next on the agenda... "spontaneous" romantic walk on the beach in the rain. Looking out on the ocean in the rain is one of my favourite things to do ever. Then, as if in a dream... the clouds opened a small crack. As the rain was spilling down, so were stunning rays of sunshine as if to say "now is your time, be the man you are supposed to be". As if perfectly orchestrated by the divine conductor I knelt down in the wet sand. As the rays of sunshine streamed down amongst the sky waters, I professed my love again to this wonderful lady. The woman I had been in love with since the moment I set eyes upon. The woman that knows me more than anyone and challenges me in ways no one does. The woman that makes me a better man... a more Christ focussed man. The woman that I get butterflies around every time I see her. The most beautiful, talented, intelligent, caring woman ever. Even through all of my imperfections and flaws she still found beauty and something worthwhile about me that she said "Yes, of course I will marry you." That's quite a daring move on her part... She knows that she's found a man who is very high energy and adventurous. I have complete faith in her that she'll be able to keep up and continue to fully understand who I am and who I need to be for Christ.So begins the great adventure of marriage.
In other news. September 1-4th Surfing in Tofino. 6-8th Ladner with Mikaela and family. 9-14th Kamloops. 10th Neurologist appointment. 14th Abbotsford to visit Andrew and Brit. 15th+ Back to work.
Neurologist appointment went well! Things are looking good, we just need to find a way to control these migraines without medication. I am starting on a new medication now called Amitriptyline. It's an anti-depressant that is used in migraine control. So i'm taking Valproic Acid in the morning and Amitriptyline at night.
Life is good, God is GREAT!!!
-Josh
