Monday, December 08, 2008

Will You Marry Me?

I’ve blogged about this before, but I wanted to give more detail today. “Will you marry me?” That’s a question lots of young women want to hear. I didn’t think I would hear it at sixteen.

It all started with Tom telling me he loved after only about a month of being together. The conversations that follow would sound like this:

Tom: “I love you.”
Me: “I like you very much.”

I didn’t want to say, “I love you” if I wasn’t sure, right? What did I know about love, I was only sixteen. After I did tell him I loved him, our conversations that follow would sound like this:

Tom: “I love Nadine. Will you marry me?”
Me: “I love you too, but no.”

I wasn’t trying to be cruel or lead him on or make him chase after me. I loved him, but marriage was a big step. After I turned seventeen that question got asked more frequently (daily to be exact). One day he asked and I looked into those beautiful brown eyes and knew, yes I wanted to marry him.

At first he thought I was putting him on, but when he realized I meant it, we hugged and kissed. Now he had to ask DADDY. That part wasn’t easy. You see Tom wanted to give me the ring for my eighteenth birthday and I just graduated high school. My dad eventually gave in, but agreed to an engagement in December. That was twenty nine years ago today.

I had picked out the ring I wanted. It had the cutest little diamond in it. Tom didn’t know anything about diamonds and so my sister volunteered to take him to the diamond district in the city. Boy did she get a great deal on my ring and a bigger diamond than I was expecting. I didn’t get to see the ring until the night of the engagement party.

We slipped away to another room. Tom got down on his knee. He took my hand and asked me the question he’d asked a million times before, “Will you marry me?” Without hesitation I said, “Yes.” He took out this clear jewelry box and opened it up and slipped the ring on my finger. I had tears in my eyes. I knew at that moment no matter what life would bring us; this man would love me and honor me through it all. I was right. God gave me a precious gift that day which lead to two other precious gifts (Lisa & Tommy). You’re a good man Tom, a loving husband and father and a great friend not only to me but to so many others.

© Nadine Zawacki 2008

The picture above of Tom is when he was eighteen. The year we started dating.

27 comments:

Dawn said...

Wow, he was smitten and persistent! You both won in the end. Happy anniversary!!

I don't imagine you'll be having a white Christmas! Is it warm there in the DAllas area?

Anonymous said...

That is such a great story!

Art said...

So sweet! Congratulations! And Happy anniversary!

Brenda said...

So romantic! I can't put my finger on it, but Tom looks a little different somehow...hmmm.!
God bless,
Brenda :)

Susan said...

How special!!!
Susan

Scarlet said...

Young love isn't always like that. You had a beautiful beginning together, and it's still wonderful after all these years.

Congratulations to the both of you!! :)

Jennifer said...

happy anniversary!

love the story

Tammy said...

He definitely was very very persistent- and lucky for him, it paid off!
Such a sweet story...usually such young romance doesn't lead to happily ever after kind of love, but it's so special when it actually does!
Happy Anniversary to you both! :)

Dawn said...

Wonderful story!!! His persistency is still very evident.

Blessings on this special day!

Christina said...

It's nice to know that even at a young age it is possible to know true love when you see it reflected back at you. Happy Anniversary.

Marla said...

That's a great love story. Congrats to both of you! He sure had alot of pretty hair!

Kellan said...

What a sweet love story - you are both very, very lucky!

Take care - Kellan

Deb said...

AWWWW! Happy 29th you guys!
I love that story!

Damselfly said...

I have tears in my eyes too. So sweet!

Patty said...

Happy Anniversary. We love you guys. Patty and Steve

Christina said...

PS I tagged you if you want to play along.

United Studies said...

Happy Anniversary to you!! Tom knew a great thing when he saw it. ;-)

Christina said...

PSS Any info. on your book coming out yet. I can't wait. I was reading again what it is about and am very excited for you and excited for me to read it. This seems right up my alley.

Sandy said...

oh, precious!!!

Jill said...

Love that! And I can tell you two are still madly in love!

Amydeanne said...

hehe what a cutie, and better yet, what a wonderful love story!

Shionge said...

This is so sweet and touching Nadine, you made the right choice!!! :)

Thank you for popping by and commented, I love you for being such a wonderful blog pal :)

KarenW said...

What a sweet story!

Louise said...

Ahhh that is just too sweet!!
I am so happy for you guys. Your happiness is a true testament to what marriage is meant to be!!
HUGS

Toby Parsons said...

I love your love stories Nadine. :) You two are just precious. What wisdom you had at such a young age!

The irony. I came here specifically today to ask a favor of you and wa-la, your anniversary post makes my question even the more fitting.

Satan's attack on (Christian) marriages and families is huge. It is a burden on my heart. You and Tom have one of the best marriages I know of. It radiates from you. Not that I have a huge readership on my blog, but I am asking (please)if you would write your best marriage tips / story and allow me to post it to my blog and share it with the many people I know personally. I promise to give you the credit. :) Write as long or short as need be. :)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

j said...

This was precious.

elizabeth embracing life said...

Nadine, this is sucha beautiful post. For those of us who did not have the experience that you have had it gives me so much hope for my young God seeking children. Thanks for sharing.