Let the story begin.....

So as most of you know, Josh and I have been dating for a little over two and a half years now. And every year (sometimes twice a year) we go down to Waynesville, MO for a week-long trail ride. It's called Big Piney and you eat, drink, ride horses, and enjoy friends and beautiful scenery all week! Every year everyone who goes starts a count down the day after you leave (which should tell you how fun it is!)

So, while I was at work one night Josh came over and asked my family for their blessings. My family said they have never heard him talk so much before, and my sister said he was a complete mess! The funny thing is....I had gotten a ride to work that day and my sister was supposed to pick me up, however Josh showed up (which is why my status was something like "loves her boyfriends surprises"). And I proceeded to come home and yell at my sister for not picking up the phone and told her how LUCKY I was that Josh was a great boyfriend and came to surprise me. COMPLETELY CLUELESS that he had been there for the past two hours and they knew not to send Laura to get me!

When we got to Big Piney, Josh was obviously stressed all week. I figured it was because he had to take the biggest test of his life the following Tuesday. I knew that Big Piney was not going to be the time because, well I had clean and set up the trailer and didn't find any surprises....plus Josh has always told me not to bring any valuables down there so I figured he wouldn't either. Although, Renee Wild and I did fanticize about being proposed to at Big Piney and talked about how great it would be....I just knew it wouldn't happen for me.

One of our first rides was to a place called Camp Overlook, because well....it overlooks the camp! It's a great ride and really beautiful cliff once you are at the top. At the bluff there was a mail box with a notebook inside for everyone to sign. So Josh and I try to think of something clever....we read through everyone elses and still couldn't think of anything for ourselves. So Josh writes the date and signs his name then hands it to me. I write "Christina Bailey and Charlie Mule were here" I know, I have a way with words....we vowed we would think of something better and come back to write in it.

Then on Thursday, June 11th we went for a seemingly normal trail ride. We were in a very large group so I wasn't even suspicious (I always figured Josh would propose when it was just him and I, he is not the type of guy to make a scene). Everyone we came across, joined our group....and we formed a group of about 20 people. So as we ride up to Camp Overlook, Josh's mind is racing and he can feel the pressure building. He keeps looking back at me, as all us women chit chat. I didn't suspect a thing!
When we got to the top of the bluff, I announce I want a group photo (all of these will be posted by Friday I promise). And I attempt to get us all in a picture.....and if you know me at all, LET THE PHOTO SHOOT BEGIN. Because I was so busy taking picture after picture and climbing rocks, I was oblivious to Josh's pacing and frazzled look (that I can now see in all the pictures).

Everyone knew what was about to happen, so EVERYONE had their cameras and camcorders rolling. Josh and I took several pictures out on this beautiful bluff, and the entire group was just holding their breath. But with all eyes on us, Josh got cold feet (ohhh geesh). As I walked over to un-tie Charlie Mule, I later found out his mother said, "Well, he's not gonna do it" and everyone put their cameras and video recorders away.

As I am standing there untying Charles, Josh walks over and gives me a HUGE hug. Now you have to understand that it is June and I have been climbing up and down hills repeatedly. So I sexily wipe all my sweat on his shirt, and he laughs. He keeps trying to kiss me, but I am hot and embarrassed in front of this large group so I keep giving little pecks and pushing away. Finally, he just grabs me and says, "I some attention". So I look at him and finally give him a kiss, i could hear him breathing frantically, so I asked if he was hot too. He said, "yea...I'm hot".

With all of this commotion another member of the group, and great friend Becky starts whispering, "Marsha, Marsha, turn around" And everyone rushes to get their cameras out again!

After diagnosing Josh with hot-and-tired-from-climbing-rocksitis he looked and me and dropped to his knee. I of course think he has dropped something, until he pulls a gorgeous ring out of his pocket (yes, just the ring in his pocket people, can you
imagine had it gotten lost on that bluff!)

He says he couldn't quite think straight, so the speech went out the window and he blurted out, "Will you marry me Christina?".

Well, of course my mind has now shot up to Mars, and all I can get out is, "are you serious!" as I kept looking around at all the people staring at me and it hits me that all this is not a coincidence. I am in shock and shaking and honestly can't even remember if I said anything else. Until he said, "ok you haven't answered....are you gonna marry me?"

And of course I say yes and recieved the biggest and best hug of my life.....followed by about twenty more! I was shaking and couldn't think straight and to everyone that asked to see the ring I am really sorry I was so out of it and made you ask! I just couldn't really pull it together and after a couple I didn't even kno who I had shown yet!!!

Once my heart stopped racing, and I could think straight again....an AHA moment came! We had something to put in the book....and thanks to Norman Hemken who had wrote the time and date, everyone that was there and that Josh had proposed. Now, isn't that clever, betcha can't top that!

The whole ride back I couldn't stop smiling and just kept looking at how shiny the ring was! While Donna and Marsha talked all about wedding planning and sang, "Going to the Chapel"....we both were sooo happy.

When we went up to get lunch in the cook shack (which is similar to a cafeteria, where everyone is fed buffet style...oh yess they feed you three times a day at Big Piney and it is the best food around). We walked in and a loud cheer erupted, people started clapping and yelling congrats. It was one of the neatest, and most embarrassing things ever! But I will always remember how cool it was.

That night we had a party at our campsite and told everyone the news, and drank and had an all around good time. The rest of the week, we had strangers walking up and saying congrats...boy the news spread like wildfire! It was so exciting.

So, there you have it....Josh's proposal! I hope you all found it as exciting as I did, and if you didn't just picture how frazzled Josh was! Thanks for all the warm wishes, and can't wait to see everyone at the party of the year!!!