the proposal & then some...

It was perfect. January 19th, 2009 happen to fall on MLK day. It was our one year anniversary. We had school off. I was halfway through the Chiropractic program and he had two trimesters of school left.

"Let's do a repeat of our first date...since it meant so much to us." It was his idea. I thought it was so sweet so I obliged immediately. The weekend before, we went to Rockford to see my mom & family. She just got back from France (we all sent her there for a Christmas present to visit family).

I was looking forward to our date. Just an excuse for us to enjoy art, walk the streets of Michigan Ave, and eat really good food! We started the day off with Grand Luxe Cafe. We actually got the same seats that we did one year ago on our first date. What a coincidence! It was perfect. He even wore the same green sweater....awww.


In one year, we had already learned so much about each other. From our own personal disputes stemming mainly from my insecurities to the clash amongst our families. No matter what, he remained patient...and confident. I'm the pessimist. Big time. Throughout the year, I couldn't help but always question everything. Never did I question my love for him. But for some reason, I couldn't stop questioning his love for me. It wasn't anything he did. It was always those voices in my head telling me that there's no way a man like him could love me so completely despite all my flaws. I found myself listening to those voices here and there. Sometimes I felt defeated. I'm too lucky. This is too good to be true. Maybe those people were right...


The glue that held us together was definitely his love for me. Through all my doubts and what I thought were reasons, he saw through it. It didn't phase him. He continued to love me despite it all. So as we sat there reflecting back on the year we've been through, we both agreed that we couldn't get through life without each other. This was it. He was it for me. And he chose me for him. 

Then we took the long walk to the Art Museum. "Remember when you asked to hold my arm but you know you really wanted to hold my hand?" haha Yes I remember. Walking this long mile walk, we saw it again. You know...the print. It was so surreal. We just looked at each other and laughed. This is crazy right? Right.

We stopped by The Bean. Took our cliche picture and then my camera died. Yes people...it died before it all even happened! I saw the disappointment in his face but said "Oh there's nothing to take pictures of in the Art Museum anyways...they get mad at us for doing that." His response...."Yeah...I know." He looked disappointed but I just shrugged it off. He usually makes fun of me for taking pictures of EVERYTHING so I thought this might bring him relief! I wasn't going to be the crazy Asian tourist taking pictures ;)

The Art Museum was stunning once again. It was such a blur to me, I don't even remember the theme that day. Then I noticed that he started to walk ahead of me a lot...in his own world. Is he really enjoying this that much that he's THAT anxious? Hmm. 


"I'm getting so tired baby, can we please go home? We've walked through this whole place for like 2 hours already." I started getting...*ahem* crabby. I think we walked by the same display 4893284 times already but we kept walking..he insisted. "Okay...fine." Then we walk by this huge hallway of beautiful Asian art. And there was a door. "Let's go into this room...it looks cool." Well it really didn't look that cool. It was dark inside but I followed him anyways.

The entire room was pitch black. The only way we found our way through the dark hallway with tall black pillars was the light in the distance.  The only light was on the art display that was displaying beautiful Asian porcelain work. It was breathtaking. I noticed that he wasn't by me anymore...Where did he disappear to now?! 

One of our engagement photos in Michigan.

I turned around and there he was. My man. On one knee with a box open. Now all I could see was the light from the diamond. My heart started beating fast. Is this really happening?! The words from his lips were so beautiful. He made me feel special. He made me feel worthy...and loved. Tears running down my face, I said "YES! DUH!!" I found out earlier that the weekend we were in Rockford, he took my mom aside without my knowledge & asked for her blessings :D It was nothing elaborate. Nothing super fancy and far out there. But it was him. It was us. Simple. Meaningful. and to me, the best proposal yet <3

Then it went from there. Accomplishing board exams...Ryan finishing up clinic requirements. We had a hectic journey ahead of us. Only 8 months to plan. August 29th was our date.

It wasn't easy. We ran into troubles. Financial insecurities. Guest List issues. Family debates. We were both students trying to plan a wedding. Thank God for our families. They were our saving grace. They understood and completely supported why we didn't want to live together until marriage...

I had the best bridal party ever. They helped me make my own wedding invitations to throwing me an amazing bridal shower & bachelorette party to joining us a week before the wedding in Michigan to finish up last minute details.

I strategically choose these amazing women not only because I can confide in them my deepest and darkest insecurities and secrets, but because they've always supported the relationship that Ryan and I have spent so much emotion to build. That's what our wedding was also about. Not just celebrating this union and our love, but also a way to include all the people that have played such an integral part in the success of our relationship :) They loved Ryan and he loved them.


My mind was going crazy. Not only did we have our wedding to plan. We had our Laotian engagement ceremony which was a success thanks to my family! Juggling the demands of school and doing all of this long distance was very tough. Ryan and I started to get overwhelmed. It's so easy to lose yourself in the midst of all the planning. To forget the reason you're going through all this trouble.

Our Laotian engagement ceremony.

"Let's make sure to utilize one day of the week each week to just be us. Not the wedding us but us. Let's go out to eat or watch a movie and promise to not even talk about the wedding at all!" Ryan's idea was genius. We didn't feel like we were slipping away from each other or anything but we knew it was just getting ridiculous.

That one little thing saved our sanity. I didn't turn into a bridezilla like some haters thought. I didn't go bizerk when details I've always wanted was too far out of reach. I didn't empty out my bank account for the sake of a detail. I enjoyed the entire engagement. We enjoyed time with each other. It was stressful but I think it was one of the best experiences of my life! (Not including the wedding day of course!)

All my insecurities melted away. He really wants to be with me forever...This is perfect. Everything I ever imagined it could be. Not the engagement. But the love. Just never thought it would be me to be this blessed.


The clock ran out. We finished up all the last minute details. Now it was time to meet him at the alter.

be blessed. the proposal is only the beginning. <3 md