We decided to take a walk in the woods behind my parents’ house.

It was a beautiful day. The cold air gave the sun a turn that day, as the spring weather teased us for a little while. We walked hand-in-hand down the gravel road around the pond, with a little girl following close behind.

Jacob and I trudged up a steep hill, making our way to a saged area leading to a patch of trees on a hill where we would build our future home. Jacob’s three-year-old daughter, Paisley, chatted away, wanting to be carried through the tall sage.

I began to show my pioneer boyfriend where I wanted our house built one day, but he was curiously leading me elsewhere. I began to follow him and continued talking about our house when he pointed to a tree and casually said, “I carved that the other day.”

At first glance, I thought it was one of those “Jacob Loves Jessica” things, but I walked towards the oak and read the letters aloud, “Will u marry me?”

I turned around and he had a beautiful ring in his hand. He was shaking so I helped him put the ring on my finger and said, “Yes, I will.” I hugged him tightly, noticing tears in his eyes. I could see his love for me in them, making the “I love you’s” we exchanged pale in comparison. Paisley, oblivious, was still chattering away. We walked further in the woods so she could collect sweet gum balls.

He joked about the ring being pretty for cubic zirconia. I think I threw a few sweet gum balls at him. He also said Daddy paid him $250 to get me out of the house. He’s such a joker.

While he was carving the tree, to be in our future backyard, he told me he was fishing, so I never suspected a thing. I often take walks in the woods, so I wondered how he thought he was going to hide it from me. He said he checked the forecast while he was away at work, and the rain assured him his secret was safe.

He asked Daddy’s permission to carve it. It seemed like everybody knew about the tree except for me. I’m shocked my talkative sister kept it to herself for so long.

After walking back to the house and showing my parents the ring, I had to go to work at the paper. (It was a Saturday afternoon.) I could barely concentrate, though. I just kept staring at the sparkle on my finger and dreaming of a life with Jacob Smith, the best man I know.

Getting married always seemed like a very distant dream for me. I’m 25 and most of my friends have already tied the knot, and some even have children. But when I starting dating Jacob several months ago, everything changed. It’s hard not to like Jacob. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t. He’s hardworking, humble and loves the Lord. Not to mention, he makes me laugh. Me along with everyone else. His little girl, Paisley, is truly his gift, and playing with her is one of my joys.

We’ve set the date for September, so I’m busy planning, planning, planning! He asked me to marry him on March 9. I love to plan, so this is exciting for me. We’re getting married in my parents’ wooded backyard, overlooking the pond.

The Lord has truly blessed me with a kind and loving future husband. Even though he told me my ring came out of a gumball machine.

Lifestyles Editor Jessica Boyd can be reached at The Daily Leader at 601-833-6961 ext. 134, by email at jessica.boyd@dailyleader.com or you can write to her at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602.