This isn't a joke, either.

Dave and I are engaged! Don't worry. We aren't this depressed about it. This next picture might make you feel semi-depressed because well I always hate those ring on hand pictures but that is what happens when it is late and you still haven't taken a picture and you never remember your camera or camera cord and so you take some crazy quick shot at your hand yourself.

So there it is. Better picture to come soon? I hope so. Ok girls, here's the details.

Let's just say I kind of knew it was coming but not really. Back in the beginning of August, while Dave was still at Bear Lake and I was out for shakes with Hillary and Hyeku, Dave called me with what he said was an awkward question. This question as referring to my ring size- which I tend to think is a really nice question not an awkward one.

Anyways, after that I tried to offer my opinion and advice as to what I like and don't like but he wouldn't hear it and thank goodness because we all know that I'm super indecisive and change my mind very quickly. I also don't like 95% of the rings out there so it really was a crap shoot for him.

On Monday, I got a g chat invite to the bronx. I go up there all the time but this time he said "will you come up the bronx tomorrow night?" I thought that sounded nice so I came. He picked me up at the subway and I talked his ear off about my job troubles and different things people had been saying to me at work. Then I realized we were driving towards one of our most favorite spots in Westchester County. There is a park in this town called Larchmont that is right on the water and you can sit on the rocks and feel like you are in La Jolla, CA. Except there are tons of sail boats and amazing east coast houses all around you.

(I found this guy's album of Manor Park-I didn't know it was called that until now- if you're interested in seeing a really beautiful place- http://picasaweb.google.com/mhousk/20081023# if you come visit us, we will take you!)

Anyways, I totally knew it was going to happen. We walked over and sat down on a bench on the rocks. We were looking at the water and feeling nice and then this guy shined a flashlight at us from far away. That felt scary. But we kept talking and then all the sudden this man was standing right behind us being really creepy and not saying anything until I looked up and said oh hi or something. He said the park is closed - it closes at like 8 or something.

That was sad so we left and walked around for awhile. I felt pretty disappointed but thought oh well I guess it wasn't tonight after all. We went to Trader Joe's, bought lots of groceries and went back to his apt. We watched TV for awhile and ate and then at 11:00, Dave decided he should take me home. He never takes me home that early but I thought he was getting all responsible on me and we got up to leave. That is when he realized he had lost his wallet. I'm really good at looking for things. We searched his apt a couple of times, looked through his car, went back to his apt, i may have even said a prayer, we talked to the security guard, checked the laundry room and looked through his car again. We decided- well dave suggested- that we run to the park real quick on the way back to take me home. We got the park and we were whispering because we weren't supposed to be there. It was so beautiful (and a little scary..) to be in this little park with no one around and see the water and all the boats. We got to the bench we were sitting at before and we looked all around the bench and realized it wasn't there.

That's when Dave started to look pretty stressed. I told him it was okay, I was 100% sure we could find it, it had to be somewhere. That's when he says "Grace, I did not lose my wallet." That didn't click for a second but then it did and thats when I realized what was happening and started laughing. Wow. He got me so good!! I was impressed. Then lots of nice things were said and I got this mystery ring put on my finger and I didn't even know what it looked like but either way it was really exciting.

When I first came to New York I felt so stressed that there were no beautiful places like the docks at Utah Lake or Milcreek Canyon or Memory Grove. Then, one night Dave took me to New Rochelle and discovered Glen Island.

We had our first kiss somewhere in the right side of this picture. It was covered with snow when were there and really cold but so beautiful. Thank goodness for Dave taking study break drives and discovering how beautiful New York really is.

Sometimes I think we all plan how things are supposed to happen or feel like we have seen the most beautiful places and we know where we want to be and then we're shocked when we see what we've been missing. And who we've been missing out on. As Dave would say -"everything is soooo nice." I'm so grateful for how nice life can be!

If you're around in Utah for thanksgiving we would love to see you! We're hoping to have a Pilgrim Fantasy wedding (thanks to that greatly named dance party 2 years ago.) I'm looking forward to lots more awkward pictures like this in the future

I love you girls and everyone out there! Let us see each other soon..even if it is not at the yellow i mean blue house. ok?