"7 Quick Takes Friday," Volume 13: the "Will you marry me?" Edition

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We have BIG news.

Last Sunday afternoon, my husband and I were in a small rustic building (nicknamed "the Library") on the grounds of a scenic vineyard in northern VA, celebrating a very, very special event in the life of our third-born son.  We were part of a group of about 25 people who'd been invited to gather there--in secret!--so that our boy could give his beautiful sweetheart a real heart-stopper of a surprise, one that she won't soon forget.  The surprise involved a sweet, Prince Charming-type guy on bended knee (played by my son, of course) as well as a healthy-sized diamond in a platinum setting.

My son's future father-in-law at the Library. 

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Everyone pulled together to make the day special and memorable.

My son's girlfriend's fiancee's mother (who, I believe, could have a booming career in the events planning business if she so desired), along with a host of her dear young friends (professional caterers and bakers among them), flew about decorating the room and setting up the food and drink.  One gal had even packed several dozen cupcakes and a tub of frosting in her suitcase and flown with this precious cargo all the way from Miami; another brought gorgeous linens and serving dishes used recently for a big-time Washington event for some important political movers and shakers.  This shabby-chic little old building became the most Pinterest-worthy site you've ever seen, decorated with touches of monogrammed burlap, photos of the happy couple, and mason jars filled with baby's breath.

Meanwhile, my boy and his girl, along with a small group of cousins and friends, were "taking a tour of the vineyard," a ruse that would end when they opened the door of the little building where we were all hiding.  And when the bride-to-be walked in...

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we all yelled, "Surprise!!"

And when she turned around to ask him what was going on...

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my son said, "Will you marry me?"

And surprise, surprise...

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she said, "Yes!!"

Hugs for her man.

And more for her mommy.  (Not to mention some serious bling.)

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And because she said yes--because God brought these two beautiful young people together and they fell in love--two families are now forever joined.  Our string of Pearls just keeps getting longer.

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Okay, I think I just won this week's "7 Quick Takes Friday," don't you agree?  (I haven't even read all the others yet, but what could possibly beat out a son getting engaged?)

Not that winning is important...but I did raise all male children, and to say that the idea that everything is a competition was a theme around my house for the past couple of decades is putting it very mildly indeed.  That whole "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game" philosophy is one that we definitely worked to instill in our boys...but winning is more fun than losing.  Let's be honest here.

My husband and I are definitely feeling like a couple of winners these days, let me tell you. To see your son's face lit up with love and joy, kneeling before his future wife and asking her to spend the rest of her life with him...well, it just doesn't get any better than that.

Okay, Jen and her baby are back home now (congratulations, by the way!), and she's resumed her post as the Quick Takes hostess with the mostess.  Why don't you head on over and see her now, and check out what she and all the other linkers are blogging about this Friday. (By the way, don't miss this one.  It's a real winner, too.)

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!