DK asked me to marry him :)

It was everything I'd ever dreamed of, yet I'd never been able to plan it as beautifully as it unfolded. And isn't that just like God, loving us beyond comprehension, working His will for our lives so far above anything we could ever scheme or dream up? Lord knows I've imagined every scenario for how this would go down... but He also knows what is best for DK and me... so in His timing every element was so perfectly timed, placed, blessed and settled.

He did it. DK asked me to marry him.

There are so many details to cover and laugh over, I've slapped my forehead about a bazillion times in the last 20 hours thinking through his plans, trying to put all the puzzle pieces together. Since last night, I've learned so much more about this man I love, about his love for me, for God, for our familes and for my heart behind what I do everyday on-air... and he pulled all these pieces together making it part of the most beautiful moment of our lives. He knows me well and loves me more than I think I'll fully grasp. I'm still spinning right now.

I truly had NO clue. Domenica told me about a month ago to stop asking about it, that it was coming but not till after the first of the year. I was settled with that, I trusted he had a plan and though it was REALLY hard, I had to let it go. So before I go on, I want you to know I plan on sharing a lot more of the inside details of how I've seen God so fluidly working amidst this entire experience of our relationship, but for now I'll just post the proposal details. And following that blog post, I'll surely be talking planning details!!!

It's been the most incredible time of year, having both my brothers home after so much time apart. Kim my sister-in-law is one of my very best friends and I realize a huge part of my heart left when David and she moved away to Malaysia, so having them home feels settled and right. We've had many great talks over meals and I'm soaking up every moment. David and Andrew crack me up and to watch them together makes my heart soar - they've changed so much and are incredible men. Arwyn is Andrew's girlfriend and is an absolute doll, I love having her part of this family. Spending time with Kim's family as well is always a highlight, Ma and Pa Olden serve as an incredible example for how DK and I want to live our lives in marriage and we enjoy every second of time with them. Kim's brothers Mark and Erik are awesome and I consider them my brothers as well :) Fortunately my dad's wife Mary has been around for many occasions this Christmas season and having everyone present makes everything complete. I miss DK's family a whole lot and deciding to not go to Pittsburgh for Christmas was a really tough decision. But now I understand it much better ;-)

It was just a normal Monday and I saw DK before I left for work. He was calm, normal and not suspicious at all. We talked about our day and what we had going on, he told me later that as he left he looked at me one last time trying to comprehend what was going to happen between us in just a few short hours. OMG, I got engaged last night!!!! Sorry it just hit me again. I had a great day at work, nothing out of the ordinary, although now looking back I had some funny run-ins with Susan and Barbara who both knew but at the time because I was completely clueless, I wasn't suspicious of anything! At 2:50 p.m. I walked over to the studio and yep, it was just another great day here at the Mighty Fine 89!

After our first traffic/weather break, Jon my boss came into the studio to check some mic settings for Bill's traffic mic because it was way off. We had to move Bill around and get him settled at another mic, I'm still not suspicious. I got a sweet text from DK who said he was excited for our plans later that night, hanging with the Sepulveda's. I was working on some Christmas gifts online, doing my show and minding my own business.

Time was flying and around 5:12 I had to use the little d.j.'s room so I left the studio and ran into Christina and Catherine Tarrant (wife and daughter of my co-worker, our Production Director Sterling) in the hallway. They come by the studio occasionally to say hello and as I was talking to them, Jon races by me back into the studio. Worried about what might be happening in the studio, I followed after him. All was cool, he was "checking some things on Bill's mic" again. Several minutes later, I left the studio to pick up something on the printer and noticed it was so odd Christina didn't even say goodbye as Sterling's studio door was shut, they were totally gone. Oh well. Little did I know who and what was hiding behind that door!

Back in the studio, I read on-air a Christmas poem written by a Marine and afterwards prepared to do my next traffic and weather break. At 5:28 Sterling comes into the studio saying Jon and he were going back and forth about a new promo and needed my opinion on how it sounded - this happens regularily, Sterling checking things on my live screen, I wasn't phased by it one bit - the promo was inbetween my traffic and weather. Bill and I went live, reported traffic and with Sterling by my side rolled into this "new promo". I heard my name it in, thought it was a new promo introducing new listeners to KSBJ and "Hey, Liz is on in the afternoons" kinda deal but then suddenly the announcer's voice in the promo is TALKING TO ME and says for me to turn on my mic. "Turn it on Liz!" she kept saying and at that moment Jon walked into the studio smiling. Right then the announcer's voice introduces to all of Houston, "DK, also known as Liz's boyfriend."

DK burst through the studio door and looked more handsome than I'd ever seen him; he was headed toward me with serious intent. He had a mic in hand, came around the console to my side of the board and behind him filtered in my brothers, my dad, Ma Olden, Kim my sister, Arwyn, Kristen one of my best friends, Brittany and Scott, (co-worker and close friends) Cody, Christina and Catherine. The mic in his right hand was LIVE, in his left hand he had the most stunning diamond you've ever seen. Live to all the world, DK professed to me his love and tells me the last two years have been an amazing adventure, the best of his life, that he couldn't imagine living the rest of his life without me and WOULD I PLEASE MARRY HIM?

His face, I will never forget...Never ever ever will I forget. Trembling, crying and stunned, I turned to Sterling and asked "Can I take my headphones off now?" Haha! He said yes and I leaned into DK and responded with such confidence "Yes, yes yes yes yes..."

He put the ring on my finger, everyone cheered and I fell into his arms, breathing him in. I'll never forget how he smelled in that moment. He was incredible, he is incredible, my fiance. I love him truly, I love the man he is. I love the thought and creative effort he used to pull these most important representations of who I am, who he wants us to be together and placed them all perfectly within this experience. It's evident this man walks with God and has sought His face on every detail. I'm honored to be the one for him, I'm freaking out and yet so completely at peace.
After one more Christmas song, Jon tells me there's something else for us. Sterling, Bob Boyd and DK all worked to gather soundbites from my favorite artists and people I've grown close with in past years. Matt from Sanctus, Bethany Dillon, Phil Wickham and Amy Grant were just a few sending their love and congrats to both DK and me. I was floored. Cody shot video of it all.

I got calls from Michael and Emily in Pittsburgh (DK's brother and his woman), DK's parents called welcoming me to the family and excited to finally have a daughter, Domenica called in from California SOBBING and gushing haha, Barbara called bawling, it was so sweet!! I also talked to a few listeners (the phones were going crazy!!) and many many more!!

Sweet Jen Driskill came in to finish the last hour of my show and eventually somehow our crew made way out of the studio. Non-stop outloud coverage of who knew what and when, where I was and how they were almost discovered... apparently on my way to use the restroom earlier, everyone was making their way down the hall towards the studio and Sterling had to run, warn and send them hiding in a flurry.

DK, Jon and Sterling have been planning this for a few weeks. All of the KSBJ staff knew about it too, but only in the last week. Jon told me today only one staff member didn't know about it. And that was ME.

My family and I went to dinner afterwards where Kristen led everyone to share when they first realized DK was for me... how sweet to hear all these memories and regards to this man I love so much. Kristen gets the credit for calling it (us as a couple) long before DK and I were really officially friends. I can't believe it really happened this way. I'm excited for you to see the video and am ashamed my writing in this blog is so lame, I'm just kinda overwhelmed right now with details, surrealism, and complete awe. I'll get back into the swing of blogging absolutely :)

Finally, it's important to me that you know how blessed I am to have YOU in my life. Whether we've met in person or not, we've shared so much life together - good and bad - and you are a huge part of my life. I am grateful for a chance to share this most incredible moment of my life thus far with you, THANK YOU. Love to you...