Grandpa's Family

This picture is 4 years old, but it's our most recent family picture with my mom's whole side of the family. Actually, this family wouldn't be possible without the love and commitment from one family member not pictured here.

Grandpa Lyttle passed away 11 years ago today. I was 12 years old. It was July, and my family had just been down to visit around the 4th of July.

Within weeks after returning home after a great week at Grandma and Grandpa's house, I remember my mom listening to a message on our answering machine that explained Grandpa was in the hospital. I wasn't sure what a brain aneurysm was, but noticing my mom's tears, I knew it wasn't good. He passed away in the hospital, and our family traveled back down to Maryland to celebrate the life God gave my grandpa.

I don't remember much about the funeral, but I do remember my aunt trying to put her eye contact back in after it fell out from her crying! I also remember a woman singing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and I remember some men carrying the casket down the aisle of the church past our family.

I also remember being told that each of us grandkids could pick one flower from the many arrangements to take with us. I chose an orange gerber daisy - it seemed so cheerful, and now I always think of Grandpa when I see orange gerber daisies.

I'm planning to pick up an orange gerber daisy on my way to work today. As a simple reminder of Grandpa Lyttle and the wonderful part he had in my family.

• I remember making homemade ice cream at his house and having ice cream eating contests with my cousins, aunts, and uncles - no hands allowed!
• I remember playing house in his camper with my cousins and sisters.
• I remember him teaching me to water ski behind his boat and going to Blue Knob to downhill ski in the winter.
• I remember him coming to visit at our house - and always bringing donuts..or maybe that was more Grandma's idea!
• I can remember his deep laugh and his gentle, loving voice.
• I remember how he used the words "Thee" and "Thy" in his prayers before meals, and it always made me realize the importance God had in his life.
• I remember his sense of adventure and all his cool cars.
• I remember being at his house for his birthday one year when he got a music CD as a gift. He took me out to his car in the garage, and he opened the car sunroof as we sat and listened to the songs together.
• I remember his generosity and love for people.
• I remember his nicknames for me and my sisters - Cuter than Me, Prettier than Me, and Sweeter than Me. I'm pretty sure I was "Sweeter than Me" and can remember him using those from time to time.
• I can remember the last words he said to me as my family headed home after a week at his house, "Laura, there's so much we didn't get to do this time, but there's always next time!"

There never was a "next time" with Grandpa, but that's okay. He made the most of his time here, so we made plenty of memories in those 12 years together. And because of his love and commitment to God and his family, his 12 grandkids and their families continue to love and support each other, and I will thank God for that as I glance at my cheerful orange gerber daisy!

A Tricky Oil Change!

You're looking at a future Mr. & Mrs. right there! That's right! Nate proposed, and we're engaged!! 

It has been a whirlwind since last Friday, but I do want to share our story here so I can look back and remember what a special day it truly was!

Nate and I had been talking "wedding" for a while, and I was anticipating a ring sometime this summer. However, after some false alarms, I was beginning to wonder if he'd even bought the ring yet...

We both have Fridays off right now, and Nate had plans to take my car to his house Thursday night, change my oil Friday morning, and come back to pick me up in the afternoon to do something fun he had planned. (I liked the sounds of this!) The thing was, I didn't need an oil change for another 400 miles, but Nate convinced me he would be busy the next few weekends, so Friday morning really was the best time.

Stuck at home without a car, I slept in on Friday and eventually got ready for Nate to pick me up around 1:30 for our fun day together. Around 12:30, Nate calls to say there is something wrong with my oil cap and other things - this oil change had quickly become more complicated and he needed to go to the auto store for some parts. Apparently my car was in pieces on his driveway, and it would take all day to fix it all. Great. So much for our special afternoon! He said he could probably be at my house around 8:00 that evening.

Well, what was I supposed to do? My parents were working, and all I had was Nate's motorcycle! Nate suggested I call my friend, Hannah, who was in town from Texas. I told Nate he should drive his truck down here to get me and figure out my car later! Or I could at least hang out with him at his house while he tinkered around with my car. He claimed he needed some "man time" and really just had to take care of this today. Great. Nate's little project was more important than me. He asked me to stay positive and that he would make it up to me. Trying to show him I was being positive, I sent him a text later to thank him for taking care of my car. But really I was bummed because I had thought our special afternoon would involve a diamond ring, but yet again, it was a false alarm since he so easily canceled these plans!

I eventually got in touch with Hannah who said she was going to a craft store her grandma suggested for some wedding decorations (since Hannah just got engaged!). I had all the time in the world now, so Hannah picked me up, and we headed out to Kathy's Country Crafts. Hannah warned me the place was a bit of a drive, but she was told it had really nice stuff. I was up for whatever, and we talked in the car about how I've really been trying to trust Nate and the plan he says he has for proposing. Gosh I was beginning to hate the words patient and hang in there!

As we're driving, we came to Berean Bible Church in Greene. There was a red truck in the parking lot with a tool box just like Nate's - and Nate was standing in the back waving his hands! In my head I was thinking we should stop and say hi before we go to the craft store; Nate must be running some errands in between working on my car. I don't even get these words out of my mouth, and Hannah pulls into the parking lot next to Nate with just a huge smile on her face!

Nate has a yellow gerber daisy, opens my door, and says, "Laura! You're coming with me for the rest of the day!" Oh man!! I told Hannah we'd had to go shopping another day, and I hop in Nate's truck.

I asked about my car and the oil change, but Nate just told me to relax and we headed to dinner. He had made reservations at the Silo for 4:00 when they opened. We were a bit early and enjoyed the gardens outside before sitting down for our meal. (I wasn't even all that hungry because I thought we could do a later dinner when Nate came back with my car at 8pm - I had just eaten lunch at 2:30!) We helped ourselves to the salad bar and enjoyed our meals - Nate got a chicken dish, and I had pasta...with lots leftover!

After dinner we got back in Nate's truck and started driving again. I hardly ever go out to Greene so didn't recognize a thing! I had no clue what was next. Miles later, we turn down a path in the woods and right through someone's campsite! We park, surrounded by tall grass and woods. I informed Nate that I was not prepared to go hiking in just my flip flops! He assured me that we just had to walk a little ways - and we came across a lake with a canoe so conveniently sitting there! (Funny because we had just talked the night before about how we should go canoeing some time! Little did I know what Nate already had planned...)

We hop in the canoe and paddle against the current out on the lake. (Actually, Long Pond as Nate clarified.) We floated for a bit and eventually drifted back toward where we started since the wind was so strong. Thinking I'd had enough canoeing for the day, I asked Nate where on shore we had started. He said we'd already past it, and convinced me to keep going a little father! We eventually turn around again to head back, and Nate points out a stump with a flower on it. I didn't see a flower, but we paddled closer. Sure enough, there was a flower on the stump - another yellow gerber daisy!

I picked up the flower and there was fishing line attached to it. I kept pulling, but it kept going! Nate paddled us closer to shore as I collected fishing line. As we reached more plants near the shore, I gave a tug on the fishing line and a ring box pops up!

I turn around to see Nate kneeling down on one knee in the middle of the canoe! He was holding open the real ring box with a beautiful ring inside - beautiful because of what it signifies in our relationship. Nate confirmed his love for me and his desire for a future together. He said something about spending the rest of our lives together, and I asked if he was sure he was up for that! Even after how frustrated I was with his that morning over the oil change and my other not-so-great sides, he said he is definitely up for a lifetime with me!

We were so happy and carefully hugged as we balanced on the canoe in the water! Realizing that I'd said, "Yes!" Nate put the ring on my finger, and it fit perfect!

I was so impressed with the plan he'd come up with and the effort he put into making our engagement such a special day! He'd talked to the people at the campsite early when he brought the canoe, so they celebrated with us and were the first to offer congratulations! 

Nate was proud of the successful day he had conquered, and we went back to my house to celebrate with some family and friends! We called family and texted friends - everyone was thrilled for us, but not the least bit surprised that Nate proposed - I wasn't the only one waiting for it!

When Nate and I had talked about rings, I'd asked him for one with etching on the sides and a princess cut main diamond. He also had two smaller diamonds embedded on either side - one to represent each of us with God as the center and focus of our relationship like the main diamond. It's perfect, and I love that it means Nate has chosen to merge our two lives and continue to build a future together!

Side Details:

• My oil never got changed. In fact, my car never even made it to Nate's house! He met a friend late Thursday night and took the car up to Hannah's house!
• Kathy's Country Crafts does not exist in Greene, NY. Hannah totally made it up to made it believable that she had to drive way out there!
• Nate bought a brand new outfit for this special occasion. Only, he didn't bring a belt, so had to zip-tie his new shorts to hold them up!
• My mom knew about all this two days before and didn't spill the beans to me!
• Nate barely slept the night before all this; I barely slept the night after!
• There are actually 11 diamonds in my ring, and Nate and I met in 2011.
• Nate has been fishing up at Long Pond before, but I think I just got the greatest catch!!