“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” -Henry David Thoreau

I went to the woods because it was 4th of July.  The boyfriend and I had planned to take a walk around Walden Pond and visit Thoreau’s cabin site.  Then we planned to relive the Revolutionary War by visiting battle fields in Lexington and Concord.

Up at 7 am, my version of the crack of dawn.  Jared and I arrived at Walden Pond around 8:30 am.  There were already quite a few people swimming laps and playing on the shore.

We decided to wander around Walden Pond and search for the site of Thoreau’s house.

It was hot and humid, but comfortable in the shade around the pond.  I was dressed in running gear and ready to tackle 5 miles after our sightseeing adventure.

We crossed a foot bridge and looked for a quiet place to sit so Jared could eat his breakfast.  I chowed down on a croissant in the car, but poor Jared was getting hungry.

I thought Jared was going to sit down and eat his yogurt so I busied myself with snapping photos of the gorgeous scenery.  Apparently he had other plans…

I looked up from taking this photo and Jared was kneeling beside me.

While I was still crouched and clutching my camera, Jared pulled a ring out of his sock and asked me to marry him.  I said yes yes yes, I would definitely marry him.  “Now gimme my ring!”

Jared and I took a few minutes for the two of us.  Hugs, kisses, admiring my ring, nervous laughter, and lots of happiness.  I called my parents to tell them the good news and immediately began to cry.  I couldn’t believe that this day had finally arrived.  I had MY ring: Jared and I are engaged: We’re getting married! 

Not wanting to waste the rest of our time at Walden Pond, Jared and I continued to explore.

We found the site where Thoreau’s cabin was located.  I can’t imagine living in such a tiny space!  At least he had a nice view of the woods and the pond.

Beaming with pride, Jared and I asked a random passerby to take our 1st photo as an engaged couple.  Yup, all smiles and a very Happy 4th of July.

It wasn’t even 9:30 am and I had become an engaged lady.  So so so exciting!

Sweaty and in desperate need of a shower, with NO desire to run those planned 5 miles, I couldn’t stop admiring my ring.  I also couldn’t stop calling Jared “fiancée” because it sounds so much more romantic than “boyfriend.”

I’m getting ready to leave for vacation so I’m not in a rush to begin wedding planning.  I’m just looking forward to going to a blues festival in Pennsylvania and then spending a week at the beach in Wilmington, North Carolina.  I’m pretty sure that my fiancée is also looking forward to a relaxing vacation filled with music and corn on the cob, ocean waves and sandy beaches.  Plus talking about our wedding during the LONG car ride!