The best engagement story ever.

Announcement, BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

My baby sister is

 ENGAGED!!!

I told you it was big.

Very rarely have I met a boy so in love with a girl.  It’s safe to say it’s mutual, too.

Sarah and Brandon have been dating for 5 years already. Yes, that means they started dating when they were 16 and 17! They’re stories are so adorable and include learning to drive, graduating high school, years at Baylor, trips to Kenya and Israel, and tons more! Brandon has seen our family at it’s highs and lows, and somewhere along the way has become part of it.

((Brandon’s high school graduation. For real.))

A friend of mine asked me last summer what I liked most about Brandon, and I said it was the way he selflessly loves my sister. It’s incredible really. Whether it’s driving 3 hours late at night to throw rocks at her window or researching all of her favorite recipes and making them for her, this boy would do just about anything for Sarah! As a sister, that’s a very comforting thought.

For example, this picture is from the day Brandon asked Sarah to prom. In response to a comment Sarah made in passing that she was sad she’d never get to see people skiing or sledding down our hill since we don’t get snow here in Texas, Brandon make-shift “skied” down our street and made sure she was out to see it!

They have dozens more stories like this, too!

As for the actual engagement, Brandon surprised Sarah  in Central Park on her girls’ trip to NYC. See that little hutch in the back with the rocking chairs? That’s where it all went down!

It was better than a fairy tale!

Beautiful. Thoughtful. Young love at its finest.

Sweet Sarah had no idea that Brandon was in NYC while she was there…nor did she know that 4 of his best friends, his sister, his mom, or me and my mom were also close by for 2 days! Brandon fittingly called this “the biggest game of hide and seek ever.”

Sidenote: Brandon’s been scheming this for months & was the mastermind that convinced Sarah it was her own idea to take a girls trip to New York. It was him all along. Quite impressive.

Years ago, my adorable, sentimental sister whimsically got the notion that someday she wants to have 2 rocking chairs for herself and her husband that follow them to every house they live in so they can grow old together.Imagine all of the memories that could be made in those chairs!

Well, Brandon, who puts the average boy to shame, shipped 2 wooden white rocking chairs to a distant friend in NYC to be stowed away until the perfect moment. Four of his best friends, who doubled as the camera and set crew, helped him build those rocking chairs. The boys carried them more than a mile to the perfect spot in Central Park. (Later those same friends also got to take apart the rocking chairs and bring them back to the hotel).

Meanwhile, Sarah, Kristen and Kelsey were frolicking through the city. Unsuspecting Sarah convinced the girls to try on shoes at the famous Kleinfeld’s bridal shop a mere hours before her engagement. The girls plan for the evening included a carriage ride through Central Park, where Kelsey told Sarah she was dying for pictures on this one bridge. Sneaky, Kels, sneaky!

With the girls on the carriage ride, Brandon took position. The rest of us hid. My mom and I were nestled behind a huge rock watching/listening to this unfold. After waiting for a while, we could hear the girls laughing and making jokes as they came over the bridge. With Sarah, Kristen and Kelsey, life is always a party!

Brandon called out to Sarah. “Saidy Lou!!’ She turned, saw Brandon, saw the rocking chairs and screamed “Oh my WORD!!!!” at least 20 times. She hurried over the bridge and down the path to meet him.

Excited, nervous, giddy hugs and kisses were exchanged.

And most importantly, a question was asked.

Amazing. Take your breath away, amazing.

After hearing a pronounced “Yes!!” and several more “Oh my word!!”s, we all ran out from behind the bushes and celebrated with the future Brooks family!

Sarah and Brandon left to enjoy a romantic dinner alone. The rest of us partied with some pizza.

But we’re not done yet!

Brandon and Sarah picked us up in a limo. With sugar and adrenaline  in tow, we headed to the Empire State building to shout it from the rooftops that they are getting married! A few hours, a jazz band, and some swing dancing later, the perfect night came to a close!

((Whew….this is quite a story, and it keeps going!))

Bright and early the next morning, we met at the ABC studio for the live taping of Good Morning America! The sweet intern told us prime location for the shot to stand proudly with our posters!

It was a hit, to say the least!

Finally, home sweet home back to Texas…

Dinner with both families, and one final surprise:

Beloved friends and family came to celebrate with Sarah and Brandon at an amazing NYC themed engagement party (thanks Mrs. Duffie & crew)!!

((The cake was to die for!! Made by one of my best friends Christie at Daily Dose of Sweet))

Brandon, well done sir! You have set the bar so high I can’t even see it. Best of all, I know that the way you love Sarah is a lifestyle, not merely a moment.

So, congratulations little Sarah! And welcome, officially, Brandon!