With that, we left Greensboro and I headed back to Josh's home in Winston Salem as that was where the whole adventure had started that morning! Upon arriving I was greeted by a room full of candles, my dress hanging perfectly on the door, and my very last clue waiting for me on the table:
And yes ladies, all the music he had ready to play on iTunes were "our songs" from over the years. The funny thing was that this clue said I had till 5:30 to get ready...but it was already 5:32. If you remember from Part II, we got a little behind at the dress shop so that caused the rest of the day to be pushed back. Josh had been doing a great job communicating with all his helpers that day so Kellan informed me I now had till 5:45 to get ready. Only 13 minutes but hey, I'll take it! Everyone left the house except for my little sister Kristen and she helped me get into my dress, pin my hair back, etc.
The entire time I was trying to figure out who would be coming to pick me up and I was very confused when the door bell rang and I heard a male voice. My little sister told this person I was putting my shoes on and I would be ready in a second. Once I was finally done, I walked out into the hallway and for the first time that day the waterworks flowed. Standing in the door frame was the one person that I consider to be my little brother on this earth and someone I am so fortunate God placed in my life 8 years ago at mission camp. Sweet Dylan had driven 3 hours down from college to be part of our special day and it meant the world to me that Josh had remembered to include him in this moment. After all, I joke that besides my family, I had known Dylan the longest of anyone that helped that day. What can I say? He is my "little brother". So Dylan and his wonderful girlfriend (who had driven up from Wilmington) escorted me to his car and started driving.
At first I had no clue where we were going, as I am still trying to get familiar with the area of Winston Salem, but then I saw signs and my heart smiled. Joshua had brought me back to Tanglewood Park which was where I had driven him to see Christmas Lights on what we call our first "unofficial" date. Unofficial because we both liked each other then but were too nervous to tell each other and it was not until a few days later when we both admitted it. Driving through the park I was flooded with memories of that night when I convinced Joshua to ride 2 hours with me to see the lights and how I had made him stop with me along the way to meet my family. Talk about a nerve wracking first "date"!
Dylan kept driving and driving back through the park until we pulled up at shelter number 3. It was here that the park had just constructed a brand new lake and built a new walkway over the water. Dylan gave me his arm and he walked me down the steps to this area so pictured beautifully below. It was there that Dylan left me and the last part of this story happened.
Before I left on the journey of being a Traveling Leadership Consultant, Joshua wrote me a book of poems and bound it himself. I have carried this book of poems with me in my suitcase and every time I change schools I always bring the book out to read one or two. I guess Joshua had grabbed it our of my bag the night before because well, that book was laying on the ground along with the red rose he had been promising throughout the day. The rose was marking the poem titled "Have I told you I love you lately?" and so I stood in silence reading his beautiful words to me.
It was then after I read the poem that Joshua walked down in the most handsome suit and perfect blue tie to match my dress. At first I was just so excited to see him that I could not stop smiling and even though neither one of us remember everything he said (he talked for 6 and a half minutes) the one thing that made me start crying like a baby was when he told me: "Our entire relationship has been grounded on our faith and I know for a fact, that I will never be able to love you like God loves you because he will always be your number one. However, I promise to spend my whole entire life loving you in the best way that I can and showing you that love everyday."
And of course the picture that I love the most and the moment that my best friend became my fiancé!
After I said "yes"; Kristen, Dylan, Melinda, Shelby, and Kellan all came running down from where they had been hiding screaming and giving hugs. While I thought that was the ending of our special day, Joshua had two more things up his sleeves!
We jump in the car with Dylan and Melinda to leave the park. As we are driving Joshua had them pull over at Starbucks and he ran inside. He then came out with my favorite drink and for the name they had written "Future Mrs. G_______" ekk, make my heart smile!
We then drove to a wonderful restaurant in Winston and as we walk in we hear clapping and laughter. There stood everyone who had helped with the process that day; from our families to our closest friends, Joshua had them all gather for dinner!
And that my friends, is the story of how our 11 hour adventure across the state ended with the proposal of my dreams!
