April 28, 2008

Six months, a Gazebo, and a Song

Once upon a time there was a girl named Lindsey Burnham. All her life she dreamed of growing up and meeting her wonderful 'Prince Charming'. Once she became of dating age, she started dating here and there; getting to know her guy friends better, and going out with some pretty good people. She had her share of crushes and heartache, but it wasn't until about 6 months ago that the real magic began!

Tanner and Lindsey met within the quaint walls of their kindergarten classroom at Emerson Elementary, some 16 years ago, but of course neither of them really remember that... What they do remember is going to the same junior high {Carson} and high school {Westwood}. They were friends, but never really dated.

When Tanner came home from his mission 9 months ago he looked for girls worth taking out--he looked high and low. He found plenty of girls who wanted to be taken out, but none that he wanted to take out. Three months later he found a girl more than worthy of his time and effort!

The next couple of months weren't the easiest for Tanner, for Lindsey's heart would not be easily won! At first, Lindsey and her locked heart weren't sure how they felt about Tanner and his intentions. After a lot of time, too much thinking, and trying Tanner's patience, Lindsey realized that she was in love! She was more surprised than anyone, at that discovery!

Well the two of these kids {for lack of a better word} talked about marriage, and with the help of the Lord decided that was the right choice for them. And so that brings us up to this next story...

Wednesday, April 23rd marked 6 months of Tanner and Lindsey and their dating adventure. In celebration they decided to go to dinner the following Friday. They decided that Bill Johnson's Big Apple would be fun--seeing as neither of them had ever been there, and it seemed like an intriguing place.

When Friday rolled around Tanner had the fortune of falling into VIP tickets to a music festival. They went and parked in VIP parking, got free VIP t-shirts, sat on VIP couches, and ate at a VIP buffet. {Any guesses as to who catered the food? ...That's right... Bill Johnson's Big Apple!!! I wonder what kind of strings Tanner had to pull for that!}

The couple got home around 8 that evening.

"What do you want to do now? We've already eaten..." Tanner said

"And if we can't eat there's nothing else, is there?!" Lindsey quipped, and they laughed together. "I don't know... Do you have any ideas?"

"Well, we could go to the gazebo."

**Sidenote: there is a cute little gazebo off of center that Lindsey and Tanner frequent. It is pleasant when the weather is nice, and is the cutest little spot. It could be said that this gazebo is their 'spot'.**


"Oh, I DO love that gazebo!" Lindsey replied in delight.

"Okay, what shall we do there?"

"Now that's a good question; the one that always gets us!"

"I could take my guitar and sing to you," Tanner suggested nonchallantly.

"What a splendid idea! I'll take it!" Now at this point Lindsey was thinking that this was slightly atypical of Tanner: offering freely to play and sing for her--suggesting such a thing so casually, but she wasn't going to complain. If she didn't know better, she would think he was setting something up... but she DID know better. They had picked out a ring together and it wasn't going to be ready for a few more days--almost a week. So she dismissed this odd behavior and decided to go along with this romantic scene.

When they reached the above mentioned gazebo Tanner started serenading his love. She sat in the cool weather, enjoying the night, company, and pleasant music. The last song he sang was one of Lindsey's favorites! {In fact just the week before while Lindsey had been doing the dishes, Tanner had sang this very song to her to make the job more pleasant. One line at the end of the song says "All I've got, ain't that much, but lots of love and a diamond ring." The week before--to be funny--he had changed the end of that line to "diamond less ring" [for at that point they had a ring, but no center stone...]}

When he played that final song and got to that line, Lindsey thought she would try to be funny and witty--not knowing she was walking RIGHT into a trap! While he sang the line "All I got ain't that much, but lots of love and a diamond ring," Lindsey inserted some questions... It went a little something like this:

"All I got, ain't that much..."

Lindsey: "What do you have Tanner?"

"but lots of love..."

Lindsey: "And what else?"

"and a diamond ring!"

Lindsey: "Oh yeah?" {sarcastic undertones...}

Tanner smirked and finished the song with the last round of the chorus.

Lindsey lovingly applau
ded and expressed her delight.

"I do have something else for you," Tanner said as he reached down into his guitar case.

"Really...?"

Next, he did something that Lindsey least expected! He pulled out a little box and opened it to expose this:


He followed that presentation with a question: "Lindsey, will you marry me?"



All Lindsey could say was "YES!!!!"


He slid the ring on her finger perfectly as her mind flooded with emotion and questions. She was so excited, and was filled with so much love. Yet at the same time she was wondering how he had got the ring so soon, when he had picked it up, and so much more! Tanner set his guitar in its case and Lindsey slid into his arms. Lindsey then did something she had never done before... she let out a little squeak! {For those of you who know Lindsey, you realize how peculiar this is... Lindsey is NOT the squeaking type. It seems that all her excitement had to get out, and it chose the form of a squeak!}

It was the most perfect engagement Lindsey could have ever imagined! Is was the perfect blend of surprise, romance, and sentiment. She feels SO lucky, and SO blessed to have such a wonderful 'prince charming' in her life--forever!


Lindsey and Tanner left the gazebo and went to Lindsey's brother and sister-in-law's house.


At Karlie's {the sister-in-law} request, the four of them did a little toast in celebration.

Then the newly engaged couple headed over to Lindsey's family's house to share the news. Everyone was really happy!

Dad even got out of bed to come hear the story and join the festivities!

After celebrating with Lindsey's family, the two of them headed over and told Tanner's family the glorious news. Everyone there was really excited as well and welcomed Lindsey into the family!

So it's official! Lindsey and Tanner are getting married. They will be wed October 24th 2008, and live happily ever after!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you finally posted this. It was a pleasure to read and although I've heard the story several times I found myself laughing out loud. You are amazing! Tanner is one lucky guy.
-bRAD
P.S. some of those pictures were really nice (ha ha)!

The Burnhams said...

Hooray again!! The story was told so beautifully! I'm glad you have that down for posterity's sake:) Sure love you and glad to have Tanner in our family.
Love, Karlie
Ps: I LOVE the Brig post... so stinkin cute!

Michael and Dena said...

Congrats!! We are so happy for you. I love your ring it is so pretty.

Camberley said...

YEAH! I just squeaked in honor of you. Lindsey, your ring is gorgeous! I’ll admit, when I saw your rock, I contemplated that maybe I selected the wrong ring back in August, 2006. Now I think my ring needs a face lift. Anyways- my schedule it wide open in October and I would love to attend the festivities.

Steven and Kami Palmer said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for you and Tanner! Marriage is so much fun(but hard work). Your ring is beautiful! I am just so excited for you!!!!!!!!!
Kami

afton said...

AHHHHHHAHAHAHAA!!!! this is me screaming in excitement! oh lindsey and i so so so so happy for you two! YAY! the ring is amazing! the story/proposal was splendid! so great great great!

lindsay said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Cant wait for October!!! Seriously, I love you guys!

Jami said...

I do love that ring! I love the story...and I love that you were suprised! I am so happy for you and tanner...come on over for the sex talk anytime you would like.

Camille said...

That photo of Tanner on his knee...that is amazing. The sort of amazing thing that only rolls around once in a blue moon. You should set it as gregron's desktop or something.

Also...what about the song??? I was so excited to hear it!

Reese & Christi Jones Family said...

Hey Lindsey, found your page through jami's. Congratulations!! Your story totally had me tearing up!

Debi Lassen said...

Lindsey, congratulations to you and Tanner! What wonderful news and I loved reading the whole story and seeing the pictures, too. Felt like we were part of it somehow....make sure you save that entry for your kids someday!
We are blessed to have come to know you through Steffen's friendship with you. You are a dear friend to him and did untold kind things for him while he lived in Arizona. We were so happy you came to visit us in California so we could get to know you! The girls all loved the "hairdo's" you performed on them for Else's wedding.
I'll check in on your blog more often.
Lots of love and best wishes, keep us on your list, okay?
Debi Lassen

Jonathan and Sarah said...

I am so happy for a new post, especially one like this. Congratulations to the two of you!!! You have such a cute story! The ring is gorgeous. (I love the new layout)

Natalie Thorsen said...

Oh my goodness, cute story!!! Lindsey I am soooo happy for you!

dicarp said...

What a FABULOUS story!!! It made me laugh and cry!!!! We don't know Tanner, but he must be an AMAZING guy if you have been smitten by him!!! He is blessed to have the most FANTASTIC gal to fall for him!!!! We are so happy and excited for you!!! Tell us what we can do to help out!!!
Hey, what is the reason for choosing Oct. 23rd? We love you!!!
Aunty Irene

dicarp said...

OOPS! I mean Oct. 24th?

Whitney said...

YEAH LINDSEY! who would have ever thought you and tanner would get married. Not I. congrats. Zach did the same thing about the ring. We had picked one out and I thought for sure I had like 2 weeks to prep myself to say yes. 2 days after we picked out the ring he proposed.Im so happy for you.

Piper said...

Congratulations. You sent me your blog address a while ago, but I haven't found a reason to post until now. This is the best news I've gotten this month!

Camille said...

Cute new layout!

Jami said...

lindsey...if you aren't going with jen palmer, or some other decorating team, then give me a call for the flowers...I will give you a SMOK"IN deal! what are your colors?

erin k said...

Oh lindsey! I love how entranced I become in your writing, even when I know the story! You are amazing and so is Tanner and you know that I'm absolutely thrilled for you guys! I love you very much!!

Erin

Trogdon said...

Great story...congrats again.

Pixie said...

COngratulations! Is that another point for club 54?

mistakes for marion said...

lol, I love it and you of course! hmm...I must say I'm wondering whether you'll add to your new illiteration...

Shelly said...

Congrats!! I heard it from my momma the other day. What a cute engagement story.

By the way-where do you get your cute backgrounds??

Layton Clan said...

Congratulations and welcome to the Layton family... fun times for sure!

Emery and Jen Layton
www.crazyfunlaytons.blogspot.com

Photography By Jo said...

That is soo exciting!! Jeremy found your blog and he and I are SO excited for your both. Marriage is awesome! I love that you posted your engagement story. It's too cute!
-Jo and Jeremy Alldredge
jnjalldredge.blogspot.com