I'm Engaged!

So I realize that I haven't posted Maria and I engagement's story! I apologize (Mom and Dad). Here is an account of the proposal and ensuing engagement:

As Maria traveled halfway around the world to Jordan and Israel on January 8th, 2011, she opened a letter Andrew had given to her before he left for Philadelphia a few days earlier. Inside was the beginning of what would be twenty other letters, each with a special message. Each letter was a mark on the timeline of their relationship, reaching back to when they first met, their first date, the first time Andrew said "I love you". Andrew, very pleased by his work, called this their "Timeline of Love". Each day while they were apart, Maria opened a new letter to find a new mark on the timeline all thanks to Dr. Kevin Diller who so cleverly delivered Andrew's letters while in Jordan, and to Scott and Jenny who delivered them upon her return.

Maria, expecting Andrew to arrive back in Indiana later in January, was anxious to get back to Taylor and tie a yellow ribbon around a tree while she waited for Andrew to get home. Unbeknownst to Maria, Andrew booked his flight a few days earlier than he had originally told her to surprise her. Originally planning on flying back on the 26th, Andrew was waylaid due to an intense snowstorm that nailed Philly. Thanks to Travis Yoder and some quick planning and lots of prayers, Andrew was able to fly back on the 27th.

Maria arrived back to Taylor on the evening of the 27th. Her parents and sister took Maria out to dinner at Cracker Barrel and Scott continued to order catfish while stalling for Andrew to get back. In the meantime, Andrew and his parents were frantically making their way up I-69 to reach Taylor. They went to the Upland Bridge, a special place for the couple, and set up several tea lights in the lightly falling snow.

On their way back from dinner, Maria's family dropped her off by the bridge and told her someone was waiting for her. As she exited the car, she saw Andrew standing on top of the bridge. The two embraced for the first time in a long time, thrilled to see each other again. Andrew gave Maria the last of her letters, including one more to make up for the day he had missed due to the snowstorm. After reading a section from "The Little Prince" and some Scripture, Andrew got down on one knee.

She said yes.