I'm Going To Get Married!!!!!!!!!!!

I am finally engaged to the love of my life and am still walking on clouds. I have been accused of saying that I had my hunches that Mike was going to propose which is true…the thought entered my mind (doesn’t it always, ladies?) but then I quickly dismissed the notion as I didn’t want to be let down. He really did catch me off guard. Good job, Honey!…Anyway…here is our story of how I got to the place of being engaged to this amazing man…

About a month ago Mike had asked me to take the 17th of October of off work due to this fun event he wanted to take me to. He said that he had been given these free tickets to something that he knew I wouldn’t want to miss. I was hesitant to take the day off as I would have to call in sick, but trusting his good judgement, I called in sick with a stomach ache.

The morning of, I dressed up and waited around for a half hour until he showed up. During this time, I was waiting around, nervously cleaning around the house as I pushed thoughts of engagement around and elevated myself to the point of giddiness thinking Mike may have finagled tickets for me to meet Alicia Keys in person!

By the time he arrived, I was excited and a bit apprehensive to get on with the surprise.
We drove up to Stillwater and having arrived early, took pictures along the river with the changing leaves as background. I was convinced by this time that we were going to ride a ferry boat, but Mike ushered me back into the car to drive to the train station. We had tickets for the Minnesota Zephyr! The train ride, set back in the 1940’s decor, was romantic and beautiful. We were among the retired, white haired folks who were set for a relaxing double date with other 60 year old couples. It was darling.

Anyway, the food was incredible, and there was so much of it. There was a quartet that wandered through the train cars, singing old time songs. One woman even stopped to sit with Mike for a picture.

The train conductor came to our table to congratulate us on our anniversary (it was our 23rd month of being a couple although I think he was under the impression that we were already married.) He asked us to join him and another couple up in the engine to see the front and meet the engineer. I even got to “toot” the warning horn as we came to road crossings.

After getting back to our table, I left to use the restroom, while Mike talked with the bartender and server to see what could be done about playing the song “Enough” that he written for me 2 years ago when we first started dating. The bartender was all about “hooking” Mike up and got the C.D. ready to play upon us being served our cheesecake in raspberry and fudge sauce.
I got back to the table and was followed soon after by the cheesecake and a $95 dollar bottle of champagne! I was surprised Mike would spend so much when these tickets were free, but I wasn't going to complain.

Moments later, over the speakers in the whole train, I hear Mike's voice, singing how he feels about me. There was only one reason that everyone in the train would be listening to this song with us, and I burst into tears. The next few minutes are sort of foggy and dreamlike in my mind as Mike came over to my side of the table, got down on one knee, repeated the chorus, and asked, “Jessica Marie Kraft, will you marry me?”
I am pretty sure I said yes or nodded but I also continued crying. The tears wouldn’t stop…geez and all these people were staring at me and clapping and congratulating us….Finally when the tears were slowing, a little white headed woman poised, "Girl, isn’t there a ring in that box?” to which I replied “yes”.
“Well put it on then!” she laughed. I took that baby out and gladly put it on.

I want to say that I haven’t taken it off since but I actually was tortured the next day at work when I had to painfully part with my new, sparkling friend. My work colleges were expecting me to barely be recovering from the stomach flu or something to that affect, so wearing my ring or sharing my story was out of the question, but now....
Now everyone and their cousin know the news, as I can’t stop talking about how happy I am and how lucky he is!!! Ha-ha…. I do like to remind him of this fact often.
Honestly though, I am the lucky one. I can’t believe that this wonderful man loves me and is going to be my husband!!!!!!!!!!
God is so good to me!