five clues, a ring, and the rest of my life.

To all my far away friends and family who haven't gotten to hear the story in person, here it is! The story of May 26, 2012.

8:30am- I had had plans to meet up with Katy to celebrate my birthday on the 26^th for a couple of weeks, so when she texted me at 10pm the night before to confirm, I wasn’t suspicious at all. I headed over to Bakery Noveau as planned, we got treats, sat outside in the sun, and talked, mostly about the trip to Colorado and life in general. After all of that she asked me what my plan was for the day. I mentioned community group, lunch, an open afternoon, and a birthday date with Craig that night. (I didn’t mention that I was suspicious that he might propose. I had kept that entirely to myself, not talking about the supposed “birthday party” that he was planning to anyone...I didn’t want to dig up any details I shouldn’t.) Then she said that since last year’s birthday was kind of crazy, she wanted to do something extra special for this year, something unique to me. At that point she pulled out an envelope labeled Clue #1. She explained that everything I thought I was doing that day I actually wasn’t doing, and that my whole day had been planned for me for a while. I should go home and put on something that I was comfortable walking around in, someone would pick me up and take me where I needed to go, and that’s how my whole day would go. My suspicious were confirmed, and I was so excited and somewhat shocked that it was actually happening that my hands were shaking when I opened the clue: “Roses are red, violets are blue, what is your favorite flower? This is your first clue.” We took a picture, and then I headed home.

 

9:00am- When I walked in the door my roommates were grinning, sure enough they were in on the whole deal. As I suspected, Dana (who loves flowers more than anyone I know) was all ready to take me to the Pike’s market. Her dad drove us, and we found it hilarious when he pulled aside into an empty parking lot for a flour mill. I was confused, Dana was laughing, and he told us to get out.

He drove away, and after a minute or so Dana looked at me and said “he better come back soon, this isn’t where we’re supposed to be!” Sure enough, he pulled back around the block and we got in and headed to the market. We had plenty of time to pick out flowers, I went back and forth between poppies and peonies, but in the end, settled on poppies.

After that, we walked through the market and over to the park that overlooks the water and the 99, explored the antique mall, browsed the map store, and admired a store that sold nothing but umbrellas. I suggested that we go get coffee at Starbucks, which little did I know was the very spot we needed to end up, I was simply indulging my coffee addiction.

When we got there Dana gave me the next clue: “You have just spent an hour on the search for your favorite flower. Now you get to see me, the third of “then there were three.” I am sure you have a hunch, but I love you a bunch! Now let’s get some ___”  I look over and there’s Emily in her car across the street.

11:30am- I run over and hop in, leaving my flowers with Dana (they made an appearance again later). We head to lunch at Wild Ginger, and share a main dish and some spring rolls, all of which were delicious. It was fun to just laugh and talk, thought I was having a hard time stringing two sentences together because my mind was all over the place! We finished up and decided to take a walk around the block, wandering through a great little shop called Paper Hammer.

On our way out of the parking garage we spotted a woman walking around with a giant unicorn head, only in Seattle. While we were driving Emily gave me my next clue: “Normally you see me in Trail Lake, but California will have to do.” I was totally stumped, because the only Trail Lake I could think of was in Texas, and I was stuck on Craig being from California. Only when we got back to West Seattle did I remember that the main street in town is California Avenue...and then I suspected Victoria.

1:30pm- Emily and I walked down the street for a block before turning aside to a nail salon, and sure enough, there she was! Everyone in the place was thoroughly enjoying watching me be ridiculous in my excitement.

We sat there and did what we do whenever we're together: got all our nails done (which was funny, because I did all of mine the day before, wanting them to look nice JUST in case) and talked for a few hours. When we were all done, she handed me my next clue: “Trace, we hope you have had a great day so far, it is not yet over! You have till 5 to get all dressed up fancy. Your next surprise will pick you up then. Who could it be?”

3:30pm- So we headed back home with an hour and a half to kill. I was so nervous waiting for Craig to get to the house, I couldn’t sit still and didn’t know what to talk about. I had spent the day with Emily and Victoria, and it wasn’t like there was really anything else to say! I finally decided that we had to do SOMETHING, so we played cards. A few minutes later I get a text that says “I’m here to date you!” I was so glad to finally be going, it was a weird day of knowing how it would end, and being ready for that part of it to start! I joked with Victoria that I would get in the car and we would have nothing to talk about, and sure enough, Craig and I were both so nervous that that was exactly what happened. It was almost like a first date all over again! Comical. I ended up talking the whole drive about everything that happened that day, not really quite sure whether to assume that he knew details or not. I pretended he knew nothing, for the sake of having something to say, but I was still having a hard time putting two sentences together because my mind was racing. We headed to Alki and pulled into the Salty’s parking lot. After we finally got seated (in the best seats in the house, which I found out later Craig had requested) I had to read the menu at least 4 times before taking anything in at all. When something finally registered enough that I thought it sounded good, that’s what I decided on: crab stuffed salmon over charred tomato risotto. Craig had halibut with couscous, and both plates were some of the best food we’ve had together.

Once we started eating we remembered how to talk to each other, thank goodness! Craig mentioned that he didn’t talk to my mom that day, after they had been trying to connect for a couple of days. He tried to throw me off his tracks by saying “I just hope I get to talk to her in the next couple of weeks!” After we finished eating he suggested our usual after dinner plans, a walk in Lincoln park and coffee at Café Ladro. I agreed, I wasn't about to try and suggest any plans other than what he had in mind. At Lincoln we parked and got out of the car, and then Craig paused to send a text message, with the off handed comment “Sorry, Pastor Thomas just got back into town and needs to know what’s going on tomorrow. He keeps asking me a ton of questions.” (I suspected that text was not at all to Thomas, and read something along the lines of “just parked, about to start walking.” Yep.) We walked out to the point, where there happened to be an open bench, so we sat down. We got awkward again, made small talk, then sat quietly. At that point I had mostly calmed down; we were there, and I knew what was coming. At one point I looked off to the side and he shifted a little to fidget with his pocket. After a deep breath (or 4 or 5) he finally started talking. Several endearing sentences later: "So, I lied to you today. I did talk to your mom. I’ve spent the day on the phone with friends and family, talking with them, being encouraged by them. Because the truth is, I want to marry you, and spend the rest of my life proving to you every day that I love you.” And it goes without saying what came next. After I said yes (and he responded with a "Yesssssssss!!!" of his own) he looked over his shoulder and a photographer came out of the bushes and came over to take some photos. I couldn’t stop smiling or looking at my finger! We sat there for a few minutes, just enjoying it. We talked through all my suspicions- bought the ring last Saturday? Yep. Originally intended to propose on my birthday? Yep. After a few minutes we walked back to the car where I got my final clue: “To the couple that will soon be married, at 7:30pm the “smurf house” will be full of bubbly, sweets, and friends (who cannot wait to party in your honor)- join us!” And so the rest of the evening was spent with good friends, celebrating with sweet treats and drinks, photos and stories!

And that's the story of the day that marks the beginning of a life with the man who is so much evidence of God's grace to me!

Love,
Tracey