IM ENGAGED!!!!

My dearest Dfunkers!

Let me first say that I MISS YOU ALL so very much. I am constantly thinking about each of you and missing our time at JMU. I love looking at your pictures and such on facebook and reading the posts on here. Unfortunately, for now this is my only way of feeling somewhat connected to you all. I have been bad about keeping up to date on posts here, but I do read them and think about you guys on a regular basis. I figured it was about time I got on here and gave you an official update on my life. Sooo here it goes...


First of all, I recently (August) accepted a new job here in Richmond with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a "Match Support Specialist." I work with volunteers and children once they have been matched together and help to support the mentoring relationship in any way that I can. I help to support the matches in a way to create purpose and direction for the relationship to be effective. So far it has been a very rewarding experience and I am learning many new things! I plan to at least stay in this position for a year and then look into grad school or other options that will help me to further my goals. Other than work I have been hanging out with family and friends around here.

Okay...so onto the exciting NEWS!!!

As of October 18th, 2008 I am an engaged woman!! whoa. It is so crazy for me to think about, but yet exciting of course. Apparently, Daniel had been planning this day for a couple months now. He says that his birthday was a perfect excuse for him to plan a party so thats why he chose the 18th as the day he would propose. He had told me a couple weeks ago that he wanted to go to Williamsburg for his birthday. He loves history and seeing the sites. Williamsburg was the place of our first "all day date" about 4 years ago!! On our first "date" Daniel packed a picnic and we ate our sandwhichs along the colonial parkway by the river. So this time Daniel told me he thought it would be nice to have a picnic for his birthday. I,of course, offered to pack us something since it was his special day. Well, yesterday we headed down there in the morning and decided to go over to Jamestown to walk around. Daniel was REALLY interested in this part and now looking back he didnt seem nervous one bit. He was pretty normal the whole the time and I didnt suspect anything "abnormal." Now, I do admit that the thought of his proposing did cross my mind, but then again I have thought on numerous occasions that he would be proposing! haha.

So anyways, we finally get around to the picnic part. Daniel is driving around and insists that we find the exact spot we ate at for our first date. I did think this was alittle odd, but then again it would be special. So we find the spot and set up camp. I gave him my present and we ate the lunch I had packed. After sitting for awhile, I told him my foot was falling asleep. Daniel quickly said "well lets walk around some." So I agreed we walked close to the waters edge. I gave him a hug and looked up and in that moment Daniel looked down at me and said "Nicole, can I ask you a question?" I smiled really big and jokingly/sarcasitcally said "no" he gave me a big smile back as in that moment we both knew what was coming next. In an instant he was on his knee and I looked down at him and he said, "Nicole, will you marry me?" I was SO shocked! As he slipped the ring on my finger, I said YES of COURSE! I gave him a huge hug and started crying. There were so many thoughts going thru my head at this point. It was such a special day and moment for us both!

Turned out that Daniel's "Birthday party" doubled as an engagement party. We returned to Richmond, where Daniel had invited all of our family and friends to come together and celebrate this occasion. It was a great surprise! I cant tell you how overwhelmed and excited I was!

I feel at peace that this is where God has led us and that he is still leading us to some great things. I am excited about what He has in store...and wedding planning of course! Caroline...got any suggestions?? haha. Daniel I are going to begin working out the details and will most likely be in Richmond for the time being. Please pray for us as we embark on this new stage of our relationship. I cant tell you all how much your encouragement and prayers through the 4 years at JMU has meant to me. I think that this support and accountability has been a guiding light in my relationship with Daniel.

I cannot wait to see some of you soon! I am planning to go up to JMU for homecoming...and hope some of you plan to do the same! Can we try and work something out?? Caroline, I am praying for you guys and thinking about you. Well, this is getting long, but I promise to do better with keeping up! Thanks girls!


Love ya girls!

Nicole