Sunday, January 18, 2009

Big News!


This is something I have been meaning to do for some time—actually for almost a month now. But, every time I say “I really need to write this up” something else steals my attention away. So today I am committed to putting to paper the story of my engagement! I know. For those of you who don’t know yet, I am engaged to Daniel Reissig!

Here is the story. It’s quite wonderful, I think.

I’ll start with a little background information. Daniel and I were introduced by a good friend on September 6. It was after our initial meeting that Daniel suddenly was “around” a lot more. More than he ever had been before, considering I didn’t know him before September 6. Immediately upon meeting him I enjoyed talking to him and was drawn to know more about him, so I didn’t mind his being “around.” A couple weeks after that he asked me to lunch and after lunch told me he wanted to get to know me more, but wanted to do so in the context of other people and group things. I was so grateful for that, and I happily obliged. All of this hanging out made me like him even more because I really saw his heart for ministry, heart for people, and was able to observe his character. And on October 12 he asked me if I wanted to be in a relationship with him. After asking my dad for permission we were officially in a relationship. It has been a blessing of a whirlwind ever since.

Now to the engagement. On December 21 I flew to my parents house in Florida for Christmas. Daniel took me to the airport, and in my mind it was a sad occasion because I wasn’t going to see him for eight days. I kept thinking “he doesn’t seem like he is going to miss me at all.” Later he told me that he was trying really hard to try to act like he was going to miss me because he didn’t want to give it away. Little did I know, he had much different plans for Christmas. All this time my dad had been telling me how opportune of a time it was for Daniel to ask his permission to marry me at Thanksgiving, but he didn’t. So I was thinking that this whole proposal thing wasn’t coming at Christmas. Daniel had been telling me that he was going home. My mom kept asking me if I was “really sure” that he was thinking marriage. To which I replied “I think so.” I was clueless. On December 23 Daniel told me that he needed to go to bed early because he was driving home the next day and he was tired. He told me he would give me a "ring" tomorrow. I thought a telephone ring, but he meant something else. Once again, I was clueless. So we said goodnight and I went to bed excited that the next day was Christmas Eve. Christmas is my favorite time of year. My family has a lot of traditions and it is very sentimental to me. So when I wake up on Christmas Eve I can hardly wait for church that evening and all of our family festivities. That morning I woke up, wrapped presents, helped my mom in the kitchen, and watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. In all of that I failed to take a shower, and I was still in my pajamas. Around 1:00 Daniel called me like he said he would. We had small talk while I ate a salad and then his entire tone changed. He asked me if I could do something for him. I said yes, a little confused by him asking me that.

He said, “Courtney, every year you ask if you can open a present on Christmas Eve and what do your parents say to you.”

I said, “They say no, all or none.”

He then said, “Well, I thought we could start a new tradition this year and I sent a gift ahead for you. It’s under the tree.”

Immediately I ran to the tree to look for the gift, chastising him for not allowing me to send him a gift. As I came up from the tree he was walking through the back door in a suit. I had not changed out of my pajamas and hadn’t showered in two days. I screamed through the entire proposal, so I am glad my family filmed it for me! He said, “Courtney, I love you and I can’t imagine my life without you. You help me to love Jesus more and I think we are together better than apart. I want to start a new family with you, with some old traditions and some new ones. Will you marry me?”

And I said yes! The date is set for May 25, 2009 (Memorial Day). We couldn’t be happier. The Lord has used Daniel to point me to Jesus in so many ways. I am so thankful for him. He is far better than I deserve. I admire his leadership of us on so many levels and I can't wait to marry him. I had always wondered what "knowing" would feel like. I can't describe it, but you just know. I do believe we are better together than apart and I am excited to begin ministering with him.
And he did ask my parents at Thanksgiving. My dad just lied to me. He has since apologized. It was for the greater good.

Also, I will be back to blogging now. I have my bearings and some ideas. Both helpful things. Thanks for reading. See you soon.

6 comments:

Jennifer said...

This is a wonderful story! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Can't wait!!! I'll be balling my eyes out the entire time! A good cry, of course. :)

Courtney Reissig said...

Thanks, Jennifer! It's nice to see you on here!

Steph, I will be crying too. We can cry together! Love you!

Anonymous said...

Court:

I want you to add to a more current post that you wrongly slandered me (your loving father). Most of your readers have already read this post and they will never see my comment; and I am afraid that since you publicly called me a liar, my reputation has been tainted.

These comments are the ones in question: "And he did ask my parents at Thanksgiving. My dad just lied to me. He has since apologized. It was for the greater good." Just because I did not tell you that Daniel proposed, did not mean I lied. Withholding information is not lying. You never asked me if he asked for permission; and I did not tell you one way or another (at least I do not think I did.... my memory is not what it used to be).

2ndly, I am not a relativist. I do not believe you can lie for the greater good. I don't want your readers to believe that I would lie in some circumstances.

The one who lied in all of this is your future husband. You wrote, "On December 23 Daniel told me that he needed to go to bed early because he was driving home the next day and he was tired."

For some reason, you can call your dad who did not lie, a liar; and you can "admire the leadership" your future hubby, who did lie..... what is that all about?

I guess the tide has shifted. You have transferred your love and affection to a man other than your dad (you even overlook his lying).

Our little girl is getting married. And it is a joy to see you in love. We are grateful that God, in His marvelous providence brought the two of you together..... but watch him..... if he lied once, he will lie again....

love,

DAD
and, yes I have been known to lie (right to mom's face) when surprising her with something!

Natalie said...

Oh my gosh, that is the cutest story! I am so happy for you, Court! Ya'll are so adorable together! Miss you tons!!!!

xo-Nat

New Heights Baptist Church said...

And it was a beautiful wedding! Congratulations! We enjoyed being a part of your celebration. I got some great pictures of the reception and the infamous cake ordeal - the evidence of which I will promptly turn over to you upon your request ;) Have fun and we will see you all too soon.

Steve (and Jenny)