Like all the other stories I love to tell, this is [Part 2 of] a story of redemption, fulfilled hope, and an amazing God, who knows and hears His people.

The Best Day Ever

On Saturday, March 19th, 2016 around 1 pm, William Allen Twiner III asked me to be his wife, and I said yes!

I knew he was going to ask me to marry him at some point, he knew I was going to say yes, we knew we were being called to marriage, but I didn’t know when or how.

He perfectly deceived me into thinking it wasn’t happening when it happened. (Deception is acceptable when it comes to proposals and surprise parties!). I thought there was a youth event at his church that he was speaking at. I thought we were going to the sanctuary early for him to practice his message before the event. I knew something was up when we got to the church, and he wouldn’t let me bring my purse or Chick-Fil-A sweet tea with me.

I told him several weeks before that I needed a new small Bible to carry in my purse, and he previously told me he had one I could use but kept forgetting to give it to me. He told me he brought the Bible, and it was down front if I wanted to go and get it. Confused, I awkwardly and nervously walked towards the front where I saw flowers and a Bible. As I got closer, I saw that the Bible was engraved with the beautiful inscription “Mrs. Kasia Twiner.”

I believe my exact eloquent words were, “STOP IT!” Tears filled my eyes and I turned around to find him. He was, of course, down on one knee. Tears streamed down my face as I took everything in and I could barely catch my breath.

He was crying now too and holding a book. The book was Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (we’re nerds, okay?!) and part of it was cut out to reveal the chapter title, “The Unbreakable Vow.” A ribbon was attached, and the most beautiful ring I have ever seen was tied to it.

He said the four words I’ve dreamed of hearing my whole life, “Will you marry me?” I sobbed more, hugged him, and said YES (of course).

Both of our hands were shaking from nerves and excitement which made getting the ring off the ribbon a humorous event. I gawked at the ring for a bit, crying more and more. He took me to the alter and we prayed together which of course resulted in lots more tears.

Then he told me that there were people, lots of people, who knew, who were there, who were waiting to celebrate with us. TEARS!

I started going through the list of special people asking one by one if they were there. My best friend who lives in Georgia now? Yep. TEARS. My best friend who was eight months pregnant and lived in Texas? Yep. TEARS. My aunt and cousin? Yep. TEARS. All of my Arise church family that I had just seen that morning at a birthday party? Yep. TEARS.

He finally interrupted me and said, “everyone, they are all here, waiting to see us!” I sobbed a little more, stopped in every bathroom on my way to the fellowship hall from the sanctuary, which was at least three, to clean up my face only to cry more.

All face cleaning was in vain because I basically just cried for the next hour. It was so overwhelming and beautiful to see a room full of people supportively celebrating a day that I never thought would come, but one so many of them prayed for and believed would come even when I didn’t.

We were showered with love and support and hugs and happiness. A family that means the world to me gave us way more money than they should towards our wedding. My best friend’s mom and dad gave me pearl earrings and told me when each of her daughters got engaged she gave them earrings, and now it was my turn. My best friend’s grandmother sent a crystal bell, a family heirloom, as a gift. There were gift cards, books, kind word after kind word, and happy tears shed for and with us.

His amazing mom, wonderful sister, and fantastic brother-in-law made the most delicious food and most beautiful decorations (and have bestowed blessing upon blessing on us through this whole journey!). They sacrificed their time and effort to make the perfect day happen. And MY groom… He planned the most magical, memorable day, said the most perfect words, picked out and designed the most breathtakingly beautiful ring, and made me feel more loved than I’ve ever felt. It was truly the best day of my life to date, and I will cherish it for the rest of my life!