My Engagement Story

Sunday, November 18th, 2007, the day my handsome Vincent asked me to marry him, was a lovely fall day. The leaves had fallen from the trees and the weather was cooler - just perfect because I would be able to wear the black wool vintage jacket that Vince had given me during one of our semesters together at Penn State.

That Sunday morning Vince picked me up for church, bringing with him a boquet of freshly picked flowers. It was a special day because Vince had planned a surprise date - something he often enjoys planning for me - after church. We would attend his church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster city where his family regularly attends.

After church we began our surprise date. I knew that Vince had something special in store for us, but I could only guess as to our destination. I hoped that we would be going to Brandywine River Museum where Vince and I had spent our first date. The museum houses the art of several artists from the Wyeth family including Andrew Wyeth. The building is an old mill that sits by a small stream. It's a very romantic location.

Sure enough! Our destination was the Brandywine River Museum where there was a special exhibition of children's book illustrations from the Victorian era through the early 1900s. The museum is pictured above. Upon arriving at the museum - after parking rather far away, despite the large parking lot and relatively small number of cars, we walked around the exterior of the building, admiring the scenery.

After admiring the scenery, we entered the museum to eat lunch at the cafe. The beautiful cafe has a semi-circular row of windows that reveal the beauty of the stream and woods beneath. We found one of the seats by the window, overlooking the beauty of nature, and sat down to a delicious meal including mushroom soup, something the area is famous for. It was very yummy!



After lunch we toured the art exhibits and stopped in the gift shop where Vince allowed me to pick out any book I wanted - something he had allowed me to do on our first date! I always love to see which book he will select, so I allowed him to choose one for me.

This is a photo of us inside the museum. Vince managed to document the day by taking all the pictures himself. Pretty impressive.

After touring the exhibits we left the museum chatting about the future, very uplifted from our little excursion. When we arrived at the car, Vince suggested that we walk down the little path in front of the car to a bench where we would have a good view of the stream. Even though it was now starting to drizzle a little, I agreed. While sitting on the bench, Vince mentioned that we had been dating for almost four years (or anniversary is January - so now we've been together over four years), but our conversation was interrupted by a phone call. No doubt one of his group partners who Vince would be traveling on a business trip with the next day. Vince had mentioned that he might get a call and have to run back to the car for some information. I waited on the bench while Vince went to the car. It was taking him an awfully long time...and he sure was opening and closing the car doors a lot. I guess the guy needed a lot of information?

A picture (from the car) of me waiting for him!

When he finally returned he had with him a large boquet of red roses, an orange rose (my favorite!) and a letter. Standing in front of me, he read the letter to me - it was very touching. He gave me the roses, the orange because it is my favorite color of rose, and the red roses. Each red rose represented a special memory that we had shared together, and he named each memory for me. At the end of the letter he reached into his pocket and got down on one knee asking me in the sweetest way, 'My lovely Lindsey, will you marry me?' And I told him I would love him forever and said yes. He put the ring on my finger and it was beautiful!

Here I am right after he asked me. Wearing the scarf I had made him, which he gave me to wear because I was cold.

Vince and Lindsey

The roses Vince gave me!


In the car at our next destination re-reading the letter he had written for me.

At the train station! Our next stop was the train station in West Chester where we would go on a railroad ride to see the autumn scenery.

The Train.

What a romantic train ride! We were both so excited to finally be engaged! How fun to be engaged to the man that I love! Vince told me of the possibilities for our future together. And I looked at the research binder that he had made me - also a tradition. Often when we travel places together Vince makes me a binder filled with research on that particular subject or place as it relates to the Victorian era. This research binder was on wedding in the Victorian era and contained images of paintings from the era depicting weddings. What fun to look at the Victorian wedding dresses!

We stopped at an old train station where Vince captured this image.

At the train station. Vincent and his Lindsey.

After our train ride we ventured to a nearby bookstore in another old mill where we browsed the art and costume sections to select another book. Vince insisted that he treat me to another, so he selected an art book that featured many Victorian paintings. A wonderful addition to my book collection.

At this point we were excited to start our trek home so that we could arrive at my house to celebrate with my parents. And we still had one more stop before that - dinner! We dined by the fireplace at a favorite restaurant and then arrived home to two overjoyed parents. Vince had asked my father's permission the day before when he took him out for breakfast. My parents had purchased flowers, a balloon, and had foods prepared for us in celebration. :)

Here's a picture of my father and I with the roses that Vince gave me. It was a wonderful ending to the perfect day. It was so sweet of Vince to make our engagement so delightful!