to have and to hold...

i have a very dear friend...she waited her entire life to be found by the one...and in so doing she created a beautiful life for herself.  one that was full in ways many only dream of...she lived on her own, she found the things that bring her joy, she discovered her true talents, she learned about things that fascinated her, she explored the world around her...she lived HER life.  and then, with the magic that only true love seems to provide...their worlds collided.  it was a simple story, nothing out of the ordinary...yet extraordinary for her.

that was two years ago...i remember so many conversations about him...how he made her feel, the things she instantly loved - his kind heart, his determination, his sense of humor, his devotion to the people he cared about and to his work...and about the fears she felt - the insecurities we all face when we give of ourselves to another.  but, with patience and grace, they fell in love with one another...like a puzzle with all the pieces placed just perfectly together.  their individual lives, the things that make them each unique, still in tact; yet stitched together with the gentleness and understanding that comes with the alignment of two hearts that are meant to be.

they've faced tragedy in its most devastating form.  walked through heart ache and the fear of the unknown hand-in-hand...stronger together than apart.  they learned how to love each other, how to be the person the other needs, how to put their own selfish ways aside to be the very best they can be for one another.

i watched their story unfold...knew instantly the moment i met him that he was the one for her.  i saw it in his eyes...not just hers.  the genuine love and respect that only some are blessed to find.  they seem to have IT...you know, that intense connection many of us never experience...and i couldn't be happier for them.

on saturday, he put a beautiful ring on her oh-so-special finger and told the world that he chooses her...that this is the girl he wants to spend his life with...that every moment is one he wants to share with her.  he made her the happiest girl in the world with only a few special words...and she said yes.

they are lacey and adam...and they are engaged!!!!  and, in october we will celebrate two people who deserve every single bit of happiness this crazy world can give them.  she is my very dear friend and my heart is full for her...