Monroe, NC, Engagement // Bobby+Amy
The golden light, dynamic shadows, tall grass, and towering pine trees were just a plus to capturing Amy and Bobby for their sweet engagement session! Amy and I [Jennifer] met back in 2005 when we were serving together in Child Evangelism Fellowship [CEF]. CEF was the ministry that dramatically changed my life as I learned more of the depths of the Gospel and how to share it clearly with others. Amy was always so much fun to teach with, and we all learned a lot from her since she was more seasoned than the rest of us!
We couldn't be more happy for Amy and Bobby, and definitely feel privileged to be a part of their journey to marriage! Amy wrote up their story, so enjoy getting to know them and hearing how Bobby proposed!
How They Met and Fell in Love
Bobby lives in Myrtle Beach, SC, and in late August [2015] he attended a model railroad event in Charlotte over the weekend. He wanted to go to church while he was here, so he came to Fairbluff Bible Chapel (my church). Since he can play the organ, and we didn't have an organist, he agreed to play that day. I planned to play my flute as usual, so I introduced myself. I thought it was cool that he clearly had a commitment not just to attending church, but to participating wherever he saw a need. That said a lot about him and his relationship with God and attitude toward people.
We chatted a little. He showed up again in September and October and we chatted a little more each time. I accepted his friend request on Facebook and we liked some of each other's posts. I really didn't do much besides that. I've been convinced for a long time that the kind of guy I want to marry would be offended if I pursued him...so I focused on praying.
I prayed, "God, if Bobby is really interested in me, please let him get in touch with me through a private Facebook message." And? On December 22 he sent me a private Facebook message.
We moved from texting, to talking on the phone, to Bobby driving up for his first visit, and shortly after that we started FaceTiming every night.
Most of our dates include music, and trains, and prayer, and lots of talking. We also spend at least a bit of time, sometimes a lot, with people we care about, like relatives and old friends. Sometimes I cook a meal for him and Martha (my roomie), and sometimes he serenades me with Chopin.
Once we hiked up Crowder's Mountain. At the top Bobby pulled out a hymnbook he'd snuck along and we sang together. Then he asked if we could start dating officially.
"You don't have to tell me right away," he said. "You can pray about it if you need to."
"You're right. I probably should," A pause. "Nah, I don't think I need to. I'm ready to go ahead. Is it bad if I don't pray about it?"
"You already have been."
"That's true. A lot."
"So is it all right if I call you my girlfriend, Amy?" He put his arm around my shoulder and grinned.
"Yes. Yes, you may!" I grinned back.
That was February 20.
The Proposal Story
Bobby was acting strange about our next date. It would be the first time we saw each other after Hollins, and we were both excited - but he seemed a little more excited than usual. "Make sure you wear the t-shirt I gave you when I come Friday," he said. "I am so excited to see you. You don't even know how excited I am."
Is Bobby about to propose? I wondered. I bet he is. I bet he's about to propose. HOORAY! Wait. This is a big deal. What will I say?
Silly question. I knew immediately what I would say. But I still made myself evaluate our relationship. Did I love him? Did he make me a better person? Could I follow him? Could I trust him? Was I sure I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him?
Yes, yes, yes, yes and YES.
He picked me up at 9am Friday morning from my new home and we went road tripping, as we like to do. We roamed over South Carolina, pausing for peaches and a little hike, and ended up at the Sugarloaf Mountain Recreation area. The lake mirrored the pine trees and the cottony clouds, and a little rain dimpled the lake. Then the clouds drifted away and the sun shone down.
Bobby led me out on the little dock. As he has done before, he gave me a scratch-built train car, this time a caboose. In each window he had written a word that represented our relationship, and the side said, "B&A 8516." I teared up. "This is us!" I said. "I'm gonna cry."
Under a wooden pavilion we ate ham sandwiches and watched the lake and talked. Then we went back out on the dock and talked some more. Bobby set up his tripod so we could take a few pictures, and we kept talking.
Suddenly he backed away from me, the caboose in his hand. He focused on pulling pins out of either end.
This is it, I thought. This is really it. This is it. THIS IS IT.
He got on one knee, and held up the caboose. It fell open. The ring inside sparkled in the sunlight.
"Amy, will you marry me?" he said.
I put my hand over my mouth. (I don't know how girls DON'T put a hand over their mouths. It's such a remarkable thing to have a man ask you to be his wife.)
"Yes!" I said. What should I do with the ring? I tried to grab it.
"May I put it on your hand?" He said.
Even better. "Yeah, put it on!" I held out my hand. The ring found its home.
He put his arm around my shoulder. "Come on, I brought my keyboard. I'm gonna serenade you."
Puzzling. Out here in the middle of this state park, I couldn't see any sign of electricity. But Bobby pulled his car up to the pavilion, popped the hood, and attached his piano to the battery using jumper cables. Chopin never sounded so lovely.
