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A Leap of Faith
Jake takes my hand, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he leads me on a treasure hunt hike through the lush forest that he has set up.
The sun filters through the canopy above, casting a golden glow on the path ahead. Each step we take feels like a leap of faith into the unknown, but with Jake by my side, I feel invincible.
"Oh my goodness, look at this!" I exclaim, barely able to contain my excitement as Jake hands me a small, intricately designed envelope. Carefully opening it, I find a coupon inside for two free desserts at Patty's Pies.
"Jake, this is amazing! Patty makes the best cherry pie in town. How did you manage this?" I look up at him, my eyes sparkling with delight and anticipation for the sweet treat that awaits us.
We continue our hike, the thrill of the hunt propelling us forward. Not long after, Jake directs me to a hidden nook, shadowed by towering Cottonwoods, where I discover a small, velvety pouch.
My fingers tremble with excitement as I pull out a beautiful pink headband, my name engraved in elegant script along the side.
"This is stunning, Jake! How did you know?" I can't help but slide it into my hair, feeling like it was made just for me. Headbands have always been my signature accessory, and knowing he remembers makes my heart flutter.
Just when I think the day couldn't get any better, Jake leads me to the final clue. Nestled beneath the gentle ferns, I uncover a delicate charm, perfectly designed to fit the bracelet I wear daily — a bracelet I've adorned with charms, each symbolizing a significant moment in my life.
"Jake, this is... it's perfect. You've made this day unforgettable." My voice is thick with emotion, overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness and the depth of meaning behind each gift.
I wrap my arms around him, burying my face in his chest.
"Thank you for making today so special, for celebrating our love with such creativity and affection. These aren't just gifts, they're memories, tokens of our time together that I'll treasure forever." We stand there, amidst the symphony of nature, enveloped in a love so profound, it feels like nothing can break us apart.
"Actually.. the treasure hunt isn't over yet..."
He beams with this secretive glint in his eyes while leading me by the hand to the end of the trail until we get to Emerson's Pond. It's one of the popular spots in the summer for fishing, bbqs, and even picnics, where a huge apple tree sits on the left side of the pond with plenty of shade with a couple more trees around.
The air is filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers, and birds serenade us from high up in the trees. It's as if nature itself is celebrating our commitment to each other and to our future.
At last, we reach a clearing overlooking a breathtaking vista of rolling hills and blooming meadows. Jake turns to me, his eyes soft with emotion, and takes both of my hands in his. In this moment, surrounded by the beauty of the wilderness and the depth of our connection, my heart trembles. It's because I finally feel that something big is coming that goes beyond this treasure hunt.
I watch Jake gently get down on one knee, the grass whispering beneath him. From his pocket, he retrieves a small, velvet box. The sunlight catches on its surface, making it shimmer with promise. He opens it to reveal a ring, breathtaking in its simplicity and elegance, the diamond catching the light in a thousand tiny rainbows.
With a voice filled with emotion, he begins. "Mia, from the moment you walked into my life, everything changed. You brought light, laughter, and love into my days in ways I never imagined possible. You've shown me what it means to love unconditionally, to give without expecting in return. I am a better man because of you."
He pauses, his gaze locking with mine. "And Emily, that wonderful, bright child, you've given me the honor of being a father figure to. Knowing her, loving her, and seeing the world through her eyes has been a gift. And for Dylan, you've stepped into our lives and filled the gap we didn't even know was missing, becoming a mother in every way that counts. Our little family, with our unborn baby on the way, is a dream I never dared to dream."
Tears glisten in my eyes as Jake continues, "I stand here before you, amidst the beauty of nature, the vastness of our future spreading out before us, and I am overwhelmed with happiness. Happiness that is born from the love we share, the family we are building, and the life we are creating together."
He takes a deep breath, his eyes emanating love and sincerity, "Mia, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, loving you, growing with you, facing challenges hand in hand, and celebrating every joyous moment. You are my heart, my soulmate, my forever love. Will you marry me?"
The world seems to hold its breath, the birds' songs hushed, and the wind stills, as I look down at Jake, love and joy radiating from me.
Tears stream down my cheeks, a mixture of joy, love, and a profound sense of belonging swelling within me. Clutching my heart, I kneel down to meet his gaze, his hopeful, loving eyes locking with mine. "
“Jake." My voice trembles, not from doubt but from the sheer intensity of my emotions. "From the moment we met, you've been my unexpected miracle, turning ordinary days into extraordinary adventures and filling my world with laughter, love, and warmth. You embraced not just me but Emily, offering us a safe harbor, unwavering support, and an endless well of love."
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I continue, my voice gaining strength. "To witness the love you have for Dylan, to see you envelop him with the same care, affection, and commitment you've shown us, I knew, I knew deep in my heart, that you are the one. The one I want to build a lifetime of memories with. The one I want by my side as we forge our path forward."
Reaching out, I gently place my hand over his, feeling the familiar warmth and the slight tremble that matches my own.
"There was a time when I thought love like this existed only in fairy tales, but with you, I've lived it every single day. You ask if I will marry you, if I will spend the rest of my life with you. There is nothing I want more, Jake. Yes, a million times, yes! I will marry you. I choose you today, and I'll choose you every day after this."
I watch as his face lights up, a joy so pure and profound that it mirrors my own. We come together, our tears mingling, our hearts beating as one. In this perfect moment, amidst nature's grandeur, I realize this is only the beginning. A beginning filled with promise, with dreams waiting to be realized, and a love that will continue to grow, deepen, and sustain us through whatever may come.
Holding onto him, I whisper against his lips before we seal our promise with a kiss, "I love you, Jake. I love us, our family. Here's to our forever."
Lying on the soft grass by the pond, Jake and I gaze up at the innumerable stars scattered across the night sky, each one a silent witness to the new chapter beginning in our lives.
