An Announcement

We have an announcement to make that is most exciting.
On July 3, 2010 Roman Mallery asked Caitlin to marry him and she said," Yes!" They are engaged!!
So the Blair Carstensen family will finally gain a son, with the blessing of parents, the delight of sisters, and the utter joy of the couple.
After five months of prayer, work, and a lot of talking we are moving towards a September wedding. The summer just keeps getting busier, and it will
be so much fun. The plans are underway, and we will get more details together in the next couple of weeks. Now for the proposal story:

Roman arrived at our home Saturday evening with his parents and an armful of packages. The girls were visiting friends so Caitlin opened the gifts of perfume, a jewelry set, beautiful dress, and lovely sweater with eager parents watching. My very nervous suitor had picked out a lovely new outfit and we were all going out to ShowThyme for dinner.



So I got all dressed up and changed as well. Then I presented myself to him. As I walked down the hall he stood up, and then sat right back down. He was delighted!

We then went to a very delicious dinner. The restaurant has a five-star chef, so it was top class.

After things had settled down we all headed to Flathead Lake to watch the sunset.

Roman and I walked out on the dock, and the parents stayed back on shore. It was unusually still, and calm. Around the lake people set off fireworks in preparation for
Independence Day. We talked for a little, admiring the view in this beautiful place where we live. Then he changed the subject, and slowly got down on one knee.
After a short speech he took from his pocket a final package, containing a lovely ring.



After he asked and I said yes, we knelt for a prayer.

Then we hugged, and talked, and enjoyed the sunset.

Before we left he had me write something on the back window of the car.

Then we called all the siblings and went back to our home, and had cake and sparkling cider, and lots of hugs, laughs, and talking.

There you have it. The proposal story, and now it is on to wedding plans, and home plans, and any other plans that may come up.
I will leave you with one last picture, showing the roses Roman gave me, along with the ring.

Have a wonderful summer, and we hope to see you all in September!

The Carstensens,
Blair, Rebecca, Laurel, Jillian, Hayley
Roman and Caitlin