The Future Mr.&Mrs. Routley!!

We had been waiting eagerly for the 26th to come, being that Janelle's boyfriend, JJ Routley, was coming to town!  And, lucky us, we were the first that got to spend time with them for the first couple days of their visit. 

They got in after dinner on Monday night and we stayed up talking for a bit.  We instantly loved JJ...what a great guy!  Actually, it was funny because we figured out that JJ and I went to college together the first semester I was at Emmaus Bible College.  So I have known who he was for a long time.  But it was fun to see him in a totally new light...as the guy who loves my baby sister!  It was super fun to see them together. :)

The next morning the couple ate a quick breakfast and left super early to head to Cannon Beach.  When they got there, it was super stormy.  In fact, it made the news here in town that the beaches had super strong winds.  But we knew that the lovely couple would have fun anyways...they were exploring together. This was the picture I took as they walked out the door for their day's adventures.

Then....next thing you knew, I got this text while I was at the grocery store!  And nearly screamed out loud!

We could hardly wait for them to get back into town to celebrate with them.  After they had dinner at Mo's they finally made their way back to our place!  We were so thrilled that we were the lucky ones that got to enjoy their first moments as an engaged couple!  This was the picture I took when they walked in the door. :)

So we all sat, toasted with apple cider, and Caleb and I listened to the story of how JJ asked her to be his wife. 

Janelle always talks about how Cannon Beach is her favorite place to go.  So JJ had locked that in his brain for future use.  So when he realized that they were going to be at the beach before he met Dad, he ended up calling Dad to ask for permission before they got in town.  (Story on that later.)  So Janelle didn't figure it was going to happen at the beach.  In fact, the weekend before she and I discussed how it probably wouldn't happen then.  Well, when they made their way through the wind storm to the rock, they were the only couple on the beach other than one other couple.  JJ started talking about how he had known for a while that he loved Janelle and would want to spend the rest of his life with her.  She almost jokingly said that this would be the perfect time to propose.  And then the next thing you know, he was on his knee asking her to be his wife.  She laughed, said something about he needs to ask Dad first, and then a huge "YES!!!!!"  Hahaha!  LOVE IT! Then the other couple came up and took a few pictures of them.

We had so much fun with them!  Now it is time for wedding planning! We have been dreaming of the day Janelle would get married for some time now...and we have to say she did a great job!  Actually, GOD did a great job matching them up!  We truly love that JJ will be a part of our family!

The next day, Dad told me his story from JJ's call to ask for permission to marry Janelle.  He was in the car, on his way to pick up Diane, when JJ called.  As he was pulling into a parking lot, he realized what was happening and was really trying to concentrate.  He thinking about how important this call was and how he wanted to make sure his response was very clear and said just how he wanted it to be.  So, that being said, he wasn't paying very close attention to his drive.  Next thing he knew, as they were having this conversation...he backed up over a curb, grass AND sidewalk!!  Hahaha!  Oh, gotta love my dad! :) 

So now the couple is back in Iowa and the next time we see them, they will be saying "I do!"  Ahhh! So exciting!  The greatest part is this is only the beginning..... :)