Shannon here: Karin Beery shares her husband’s proposal, plus a sneak-peak at her next book, & a chance to win a print copy of Summer Plans and Other Disasters. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: August 19th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Karin:
How God Saved My Not-Quite-Perfect Proposal
My always-spinning mind almost ruined my husband’s proposal.
The proposal itself wasn’t a surprise. Matt and I were already talking about wedding dates and discussing the details for the big day. We’d known within a few weeks of dating that we were going to get married. Because we’d jumped right from dating to wedding plans, I wasn’t expecting a formal proposal. I was just happy to have found “the one.”
We were several weeks into planning—I’d already found my dress and had secured a location—when my Uncle Jim passed away. With both of my sisters out of state and unable to attend the funeral, it was important to me to go and support my cousins. Matt went with me, as the funeral was several hours away.
Despite the sad occasion, the day was filled with love as family members shared stories of my uncle and reconnected after not seeing each other for years. Eventually Matt and I need to start our long journey home. Instead of going straight home, however, Matt took me on a detour to one of my favorite places in the world—Ludington, Michigan.
I grew up near Ludington, and I’d already taken Matt there several times. He’d heard countless stories and knew one spot in particular held my heart.
The lighthouse.
After such a sad and emotionally draining day, stopping at the Ludington beach and walking along the break wall to the lighthouse was just what my heart needed. My head, however, didn’t get the memo.
As the sun set behind the horizon, pinks and oranges filled the sky. It was late in summer, so only a few other people walked around us. And as we walked, my mind raced—from my family to the wedding to our church to a young lady at church to the young lady’s mother and on and on and on.
As we walked, I talked, letting Matt know every random thought as it popped into my head. That’s pretty normal behavior for me, so Matt let me ramble as we ambled. We finally made it to the lighthouse, where only a few other couples enjoyed the view too. I lowered my voice so I wouldn’t disturb them, but the thoughts kept coming. So I kept talking.
And then, something inside me screamed STOP!
It wasn’t an audible voice. More like a feeling. The same feeling I get when I’m praying or worshipping and the Lord speaks to me.
I became instantly aware that I’d talked the entire half-mile walk out to the lighthouse and suddenly wanted nothing more than to be quiet and enjoy the view. The other couples had left, so I snuggled close to Matt to admire the sunset.
But then he pulled away. Before I could complain, he dropped down to one knee and told me how much he loved me. I’m sure he said some other sweet things, but my mind could only process one thing—Matt was proposing to me at the lighthouse at sunset! I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect time and place to say yes to the man I loved.
Later, as we walked back toward the car, Matt laughed and confessed that he wasn’t sure he’d actually have the chance to propose. He wasn’t sure I’d stop talking long enough to pop the question! If it hadn’t been for that internal nudge—if God hadn’t told me to stop—Matt might have been right.
Our proposal story isn’t Hollywood perfect, but it was perfect for us.
Question for Readers: What’s your perfect-for-you proposal?
About Karin: Karin Beery grew up in rural Michigan, where she wrote her first novel in high school. Today, she writes contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s reading, editing, or teaching it. In her free time, she enjoys watching University of Michigan football and action-adventure movies with her husband and fur babies.
Karin’s Facebook Karin’s Twitter Karin’s Instagram
Karin’s Bookbub Karin’s Goodreads
About the book – Finally Forever—coming February 2024!
Former competitive dancer Caroline Novak dreams of leaving the corporate world to work with special needs women at the Pathways non-profit, but the organization can’t afford a fulltime director. All-American defensive end Ben Allen was on his way to the NFL when a knee injury sent him home and into the same office as Caroline, his best friend’s older sister. When Pathways participates in a Dancing with the Stars-inspired fundraiser, Caroline quickly volunteers, and Ben joins her as the local “star.”
It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize it’s more than a dance competition, and Caroline is more than his best friend’s sister, but after two failed engagements, she’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man. When the NFL calls Ben, it looks like his dream might finally come true—but it could cost them the championship and Caroline her heart.
About the Giveaway: Summer Plans and Other Disasters
Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God ’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track. Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What ’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right? Trying to figure out God ’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie ’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best-laid plans were truly God-inspired.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Karen’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
Karin’s Books Summer Plans and Other Disasters
Come back August 11st for Caryl McAdoo!
Love this! My husband proposed after singing along to a love song we were listening to.
How sweet! My hubby sang to me once. 🙂
What a sweet story! I can relate to needing a Supernatural command to shut up. I want the T-shirt asking God to keep His hand over my mouth.
Yes! I need that shirt too. 😀
Ah, the Lord’s still small voice. It leads to beautiful things, doesn’t it? What a sweet husband-to-be who knew you so well and planned such a memorable moment—and how patient he was in listening 😍.
For me, I knew a proposal was coming at some point but was surprised when it happened because I didn’t think he’d had a chance to ask my dad. Turns out he’d asked him while they watched a Bengals game on tv. The year the team won their playoff game. I don’t live in Cincinnati or even in Ohio. And I don’t care much about football. But the Bengals will always have a special place in my heart. ❤️
That’s awesome!
Ludington is sooo beautiful!!!! We actually gets decided to get married…9 weeks after we met. He wanted to marry at 4 weeks. I told him I had annual training for the National Guard that I had to go to first! I would plan the wedding afterwards. We just celebrated our 27th anniversary!
Congrats! Yes, Ludington is amazing. I’m so blessed to have grown up there.
Glad to have you here, Karin. I love all the stories. For me, my fella just started saying things like, when we get married. Or after we’re married. I was in. There wasn’t really an actual proposal. He gave me the ring at Sonic. We were poor high school students. But it was perfect for me. And us. 39 years later, we’re still an item.
How sweet! We were talking that way too, so I wasn’t expecting an official proposal–I love that he did it though. 🙂
beach
Hubby asked me very casually which surprised me since he normally is romantic. I guess he decided to just be spontaneous since the mood was good at the time. Either way, we have been married for 23 years so I feel so blessed.
How sweet! Congratulations 🙂
I have a winner! Cherie J won the drawing. I appreciate Karin for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.