In the spring of 2006 Colby was making plans for Holli’s graduation from North Georgia. Someone in her family had a jewelry cabinet. She had told him about it so he decided a jewelry cabinet would make a great graduation gift. He began looking for just the right one. Of course, nothing in the stores suited him so he decided that we would build one. He found some plans on the internet. It would have 7 drawers, 2 side doors, a flip-up lid with a mirror revealing a lift-out tray, and be lined with velvet. We put everything away for the build later that spring.

And then everything changed! The weekend of Easter he called us to say he was going to buy a ring and ask Holli to marry him. Now instead of the cabinet being finished by her graduation, he wanted to give it to her as a proposal gift so it had to be done now! He wanted it done in time for her last sorority event so she could show all of her sorority sisters the ring. So we met together to buy a load of cherry plywood and lumber to match. He picked all of it out. It was now the middle of April and we had just one week to build it. So I took the week off and we got to work. He was burning his candle at both ends – helping with the build and working on two real estate transactions at the same time. He agonized over every little measurement, no matter how small – he wanted it perfect. I remember ruining a piece of lumber with a mis-cut and when he found out his look said it all – “Dad, what’s the matter with you!” Of course, I had to replace that piece! His patience with his old man was wearing thin! Somehow we were able to finish and stay friends. Looking back, we treasure that week because it was the final chance we got to spend much time with him at home.

Now all that was left was to set the trap for Holli. With the help of her Dad and brother, they managed to sneak the cabinet into her apartment while Colby had taken her to dinner. We knew he was giving it to her as a gift, but he had other ideas. Keep in mind that Colby had developed a specific philosopy of dating. His highest rule was that the first time he would tell a girl he loved her would be when he decided to ask her for marriage and she accepted. So he put a specific message in each drawer of the cabinet with the top shelf holding the ring.

Here is the story he place in the cabinet – drawer by drawer. Each note was accompanied by photos, keepsakes, and other mementos of occasions in his and Holli’s relationship.

Drawer 7: There once lived a very handsome young man, who was able to wear his sunglasses all the time without anyone to hound him about it, but yet his life was missing something. At the same time there lived a very beautiful young woman, who spent her days stuffing her face with ice cream, but yet her life was missing something as well.

Drawer 6: They both attended North Georgia College & State University. One day, the very handsome young man found himself scrambling to get into classes for the Spring 2004 semester since his plan to graduate on time had once again been foiled by the evil school faculty. As he took this problem before the Lord he found peace in the fact that there was a reason for this horrible act, even though he did not know what that reason was. Alas, through the mysterious Work of the Father, and by the Grace and Mercy of the Son, the very handsome young man walked into Business Writing & Communications, and suddenly found himself in the same class as the very beautiful ice cream eating young woman. Could this be the reason? Could it be, two of the very handsome young man’s favorite things (ice cream and very beautiful young women) rolled into one?

Drawer 5: Over the next few years, the very handsome young man and the very beautiful young woman would do many things together (most of which the very handsome young man would graciously pay for), and have many memorable moments together.

Drawer 4: Some of these memorable moments would be made in times just spent with each other. And some of these memorable moments would be made in times spent along with other people.

Drawer 3: Even still, each of them would have moments to be made apart from one another, though they would keep each other in their hearts wherever life would take them.

Drawer 2: Many nights the very beautiful young woman would dream while she slept. She would dream of her future and whether or not her very handsome young man would be a part of it. On one of those nights the very handsome young man would stay up late into the night thinking of and praying for this very beautiful young woman, and he would long to tell her something that he was forbidden to speak for now. So he would write it into a letter and pray that he would one day be able to give her that very letter. But that would have to be a very special day,

Drawer 1: After two wonderful years together, that day would finally arrive! But the very handsome young man couldn’t just hand this very beautiful young woman the letter that he wanted so badly to give her. So the very handsome young man, with the help of his very amazing father and some very amazing friends, built a magnificent jewelry cabinet for this very beautiful young woman, and he would give it to her as a graduation present. He knew how much she likes gifts and that gift-giving was one of her primary Love Languages, and he knew she wanted a place to keep her most precious jewelry. So the very handsome young man worked tirelessly on the cabinet. Unfortunately he would have to make up things to tell this very beautiful young woman so she would not know what he was doing for her, but it was only so he could surprise her, and he hated not being honest with her, and he knew that she would forgive him. She would be so surprised when she saw the cabinet and then she would finally get to read the letter that had been waiting for her for so long, because the very handsome young man would place it in the very top of the cabinet!

The Very Top of the Cabinet: This is the letter – actually written on Valentine’s Day, 14 months earlier and saved until now…

Holli – well it is 12:30 on Valentine’s morning. It is our first Valentines together; I hope the first of many. I had a great time at the Cheesecake Factory the other night, and at the game last night, and just hanging out today. You are an amazing girl and I am so thankful that the Lord put you in my life. Just want to keep you up to date on how I feel right now. I told myself a long time ago that I would not say “I love you” to any girlfriend again until I was ready to put a ring on her finger. For the first time I think I am getting there. I want to tell you that I Love You, but I made myself and my future wife a promise. That’s how I feel though and I want you to know that I am starting to think about the whole ring thing. In these next couple of months I plan on running this thought past those people in my life that I respect most, and by those who have already traveled down this road: Dad, Nathan, Ken, Justin, Josh, JRich, Catherine, Faith. I just want to make use of the wise counsel around me on such a huge decision. Maybe pretty soon I can run this thought by you, too, but for now I will just say it here. I Love You and I hope you know that, even though I have never said it, by the way I treat you. For now – Colby.

And under the letter was the ring with this final thought…

Now that the beautiful young woman finally knew what her very handsome young man had wanted to tell her for so long, there seemed to be only one thing missing from their story. There is only one thing that can make their story complete……..

…and the beautiful young woman said “Yes!”