Our Engagement Story

Thursday afternoon, May 15th.
At the top of an old silo/tower Anson James VanDoren asked me to be his wife... and I said YES!
Anson and I had been talking a lot about getting married, especially the few weeks prior to our engagement. While my parents were still overseas in Thailand we had gone shopping for an engagement ring and found one that was perfect. But even though we had found a ring Anson still had to wait till my parents got back. Anson and my dad went out to lunch on Monday where Anson asked my dad's permission and blessing to marry me. I think Anson's original plan was to propose at the beach but understandably he could not wait the 3 weeks. So instead he was able to get the ring in just a few days and propose much, much sooner. At this point I already knew my dad had agreed and given his blessing, I was only patiently waiting for the "official" question to be asked. :)

That Thursday morning Anson let me sleep in (he's usually up before I am and gives me a morning wakeup call) while he went into Charlotte to pick up the ring (I didn't find out about this until after). A little after lunchtime Anson came over on the bike and picked me up. I had no idea where we were going nor did I know that he was going to propose! Once we turned onto a certain road, only then did I figure out that we were headed to Anne Springs Close Greenway. The Greenway is a large nature park near Fort Mill and Rock Hill in South Carolina. There are pastures, old cabins, riding and walking trails, even a swinging bridge.

Once there we looked at a map of the park and I found a trail that went to what looked like an old railway bridge... Anson wanted to take photos off of the top of the old silo first. It was only then, walking to the silo and up it, that I got a little nervous and excited of what was possibly about to happen.

At the top of the silo is a gorgeous view overlooking some of the horse pastures and woods. Simply gorgeous. As we stood there looking out, Anson's arms there wrapped around me from behind, I felt his hand leave my arm and reach into his pocket and gently slip a diamond ring on my finger. He got down on one knee and told me for the very first time that he loved me. He then asked if I would be his wife and share the rest of our lives together. Time stood still. It seemed like an eternity before I could bring words to my mouth. I wanted to cry! I wanted to laugh and tell the whole world that I too, loved a man so very dearly! This man, before me on one knee, was asking me to be his wife! And I said yes.



Anson's side of the story