We're Engaged

On December 10, 2010 Andrew William Gearhart, 27 years old, proposed to me, Veronica Renee Rayfield, 23 years old. We both went through the AIM program and were placed in Tauranga, New Zealand. We met in Lubbock, Texas at an AIM graduation in 2006 for the first time. Over the past four years, we saw each other four times in the States and in Tauranga. Our relationship sparked up after a visit to Fresno, CA when I went to hang out with Andrew and his family for a weekend before he moved to NZ. We've been dating for a year and a half, and are pleased God has led us to this level in our relationship.

How Andrew Proposed

Andrew took me to Mundo, a Mexican restaurant at Mount Maunganui in Tauranga, New Zealand. It was a super casual night out, and I didn't expect anything fancy or exciting! Anyhow, it was real hot in the restaurant and we were in the direct sunlight. I was warm, but Andrew was sweating!! He kept getting up to use the toilet, but I didn't mind as I just wanted to tear up those nachos!! haha They were so delicious!

We finished eating and headed to the Pilot Bay side of the Mount to go for a walk, as we usually do. We were walking down the main path when I saw a cool, intriguing side path, and I said, "Andrew! Let's go down that way. I've never been that way before." So, we walked down and over some big rocks until we were on a private, quiet section of the beach that wrapped around a ways. We walked for about ten minutes. In the distance the sun was setting and I saw a table, chairs and a picnic basket. I said, "Awww, how sweet! Someone is having a romantic date!" Little did I know it was for me!!!

We walked up to the sweet set up and there were roses, a journal, yum food like cheese, crackers, salami, pastrami, strawberries, blueberries.... etc. sparkling cidar, and an awesome black and glass lantern with a candle inside. Andrew said this was for us and that I could sit down. Sooooo.... I started thinking, okay, it's 50/50... either he's gonna propose or he's just doing something special for me before I go to America for six weeks because he will miss me.

As the sun was setting over the ocean, we sat down. Andrew opened up the journal and started reading a letter to me. He said LOTS of great things about our relationship and God. At the very end, he said, 'You've been a great friend, sister in Christ, encourager, supporter and example. You've been so many things to me except for one." This is when he got down on one knee, pulled the ring out of his pocket, and asked, "Will you marry me?" I fully gasped and covered my face in my hands and then with a HUGE smile said, "YES!!" I hugged him and then said, "YES YES YES!!" I got a little teary eyed but held it in until he kept reading the journal. There were letters in there from all of my siblings and parents as well as Andrew's siblings and parents. My mom and dad wrote some AMAZING things to me that made me ball like a baby. It was incredible.

In the mean time, our close friends, Jacob and Nathan, were hiding in the bushes taking photos and blocking anyone from walking by!!! They had set everything up and cleaned it up after.

When Andrew was sweating at the restaurant and going to the toilet, it was because he was near vomiting. He was SOOOO nervous!!

It was a great night! To top it all off, my ring is white gold with three diamonds. The middle diamond is Andrew's great grandmothers from his dad's side of the family. The two side diamonds are his grandma's from his mom's side of the family. It's a very sentimental and special ring!

We spent the rest of the evening calling my parents, siblings, friends, and New Zealand family to tell them the exciting news!

Our married friends, Brooke and Kelly, took us out to lunch the next day to celebrate then our other married friends, Bex and Nick, had us over for dinner the following night. It was such an incredible week!! I feel like I fell in love with Andrew in a whole new way!!! Getting engaged is definitely something to look forward to! My face was sore for the first week as this natural, sincere smile would not leave my face.

We're looking at an intimate, family and friends, July 2011 wedding!!

We're so thankful God led us to each other. He knows what we need in a spouse more than we do. Trust Him!!