• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

February 1, 2014

A Proposal Story & The Recipe for Love

I have really horrible handwriting. It’s true. My mom wouldn’t even let me help address the envelopes on my wedding invitations because of my horrible handwriting.

Recipe for Love Tea Towel Valentine's Day Gift from atthepicketfence.com

Although…maybe I was faking that so I could get out of doing it…hmmm…. 😉

I never realized just how horrible my handwriting was until I decided to do a cute little craft for our Take 5: 5 Minute Craft Series which involved writing on a towel.

5 minute craft graphic

So, I’m going to distract you from my handwriting with a story. And then you are going to decide to make this cute little craft yourself and it will look beautiful and perfect because I can guarantee that your handwriting is better than mine!

Everyone loves a good proposal story, right?

This one begins on a cold day in November, 1997. My college roommate and I were getting ready to head out on the town for a ‘girls night’ and as we were leaving our apartment she mentioned that she needed to make a quick stop at her parents home.

We hopped in her car and cranked up the music pouring from her tape deck. I’m pretty sure it was one of the super cool mixed tapes that I had made in high school and brought with me to college. It probably even had the voice of the DJ on it since I never was quick enough at pushing that “end” button when I was trying to record songs from the radio.

sharpie and towel

As we drove along the winding mountain rode towards Kara’s parents house we chatted about finals and the upcoming Christmas break and which friends we were going to meet up with that night.

And then, suddenly, Kara starts pulling her car off to the side of the road. I look out the car window and see what appears to be a homeless man standing on the corner.

I said, “Ummm….Kara…what are you doing? You aren’t planning on giving him a ride are you?” I watched as the man with the hood of his coat pulled up over his head begins walking towards my door.

And I panic…and freak out a bit….and wonder if I have any cash in my purse that I can give him.

Then as he moves closer and closer to us I notice he’s holding a cardboard sign.

It’s pitch black outside but with the help of the car’s headlights I’m able to make out what it says…

recipe for love tea towel

“WIFELESS WILL WORK FOR MARRIAGE”

recipe for love towel with ribbon detail

He pulls the hood off and there standing before me isn’t a homeless man or a hitch-hiker or a night prowler lying in wait for two college girls.

It was my boyfriend. My guy. My love.

The one to whom I had given my heart.

He got in the car with us and Kara drove a little bit further before turning into a driveway. It took me a minute to realize where we were being that it was at night and all. But I soon got my wits about me and recognized the park where we had enjoyed many a picnic. All of those special dates which we went on mostly because we didn’t have a lot of money to spend on fancy restaurants but ones we knew we wouldn’t trade for all of the china and cloth napkins in the world.

ribbon detail on towel

He had set up a table with candles and flowers and then it happened…that moment I had dreamed of and knew was coming and yet for some reason it still took me by surprise…and took my breath away.

He asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. To be his wife. His partner.

The tears flowed and I  blubbered my way through saying a great big ‘YES’!

We just knew that we had found the recipe for love.

But, you don’t really know until you know…and then you know. Right?

Recipe for Love towel atthepicketfence.com

You see, this particular recipe gets put to the test as the years go by. And some extra ‘flavors’ are added in.

Flavors like loss, grief, heartache, disappointment, worry, fear, great sorrow and great joy.

And that’s when you know. That’s when you know if your recipe for love can withstand the addition of these flavors.

If it can, perhaps, just perhaps, the result will be something richer…deeper…with more substance.

That young man, the one who held up a sign that said ‘wifeless will work for marriage’, is sitting next to me as I type out these words. He makes me laugh as much today as he did that night over 16 years ago when he asked me to be his forever. He’s my best friend.

And our recipe for love has withstood the addition of a few extra ingredients….some flavoring.

I pray it’s a recipe that will be passed down from generation to generation…

along with my mixed tapes. 😉

Vanessa signature

 

 

22 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Five Minute Crafts, Good Ideas Tagged With: 5 minute crafts, cheap crafts, crafts, Five Minute Crafts, Take Five

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Save the date for our Joss & Main Collection!
Next Post: A sneak peek of our Joss and Main Collection »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lori Alexander says

    February 1, 2014 at 5:22 AM

    What a unique way of proposing! This is a beautiful love story. You are very blessed.

    Reply
  2. chelsea says

    February 1, 2014 at 5:39 AM

    So sweet!

    Reply
  3. Thistle says

    February 1, 2014 at 5:48 AM

    Vanessa,

    What a wonderful story! Proposal stories are the best. 🙂

    Happy day to you friend!
    karianne

    Reply
  4. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    February 1, 2014 at 6:29 AM

    OMG, Vanessa, that is a beautiful story! My husband still makes me laugh after almost 29 years of marriage {and almost 31 years of being together}. Oh yes, I love your towel, too! : )

    Reply
  5. Marty Walden says

    February 1, 2014 at 7:09 AM

    So beautiful and what a great proposal! Love your heart and your love for your husband and kids. It shines through in every project and word. You’re amazing!

    Reply
  6. Anita Ward says

    February 1, 2014 at 8:08 AM

    How sweet……..may you share many more years together bonded by The Love Of God!!!!!!

    Reply
  7. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    February 1, 2014 at 8:14 AM

    What an awesome proposal story Vanessa! So sweet and I loved reading this.
    And haha- you could always hear the DJ on my mix tapes too. lol

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      February 1, 2014 at 11:56 AM

      LOL! Glad to know I wasn’t the only one who was lacking in mixed tape making skills Claire!

      Reply
  8. Hillary | lulalizett says

    February 1, 2014 at 9:22 AM

    Vanessa, this is hilarious! I can just imagine you panicking as a shadowy figure walks toward your car door. I would have had an anxiety attack!! I love it! Oh, and your handwriting is definitely not horrible! Your tea towel looks great!

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      February 1, 2014 at 11:55 AM

      LOL!! Yes I definitely was having an anxiety attack too! Thanks so much for coming by! 🙂

      Reply
  9. laura@top this top that says

    February 1, 2014 at 10:38 AM

    who cares about your handwritting your story is beautiful!

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      February 1, 2014 at 11:55 AM

      Awwww…thanks friend! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Carol Reddin says

    February 1, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    I remember this story well! Our family has definitely been blessed by the addition of your husband! Wouldn’t trade him! Mom

    Reply
  11. vanessa prohaska says

    February 1, 2014 at 3:38 PM

    Lovely story, cute project and what an awesome college friend!

    Reply
  12. Vivienne at The V Spot says

    February 2, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    That. Is. Awesome.

    Reply
  13. kelly says

    February 2, 2014 at 8:56 PM

    Just love this!
    xx

    Reply
  14. Judy says

    February 3, 2014 at 11:02 AM

    What a beautiful way of proposing. Great story.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 3, 2014 at 1:07 PM

      Thanks Judy! Hope you are doing well friend! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Sue {munchkin munchies} says

    February 3, 2014 at 1:47 PM

    What a great proposal story, and I love your tea towel! Thanks for sharing!
    BTW, is this just a plain muslin tea towel?

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      February 3, 2014 at 5:02 PM

      Thanks Sue! And it’s just a flour sack towel from Target. They came in a pack of 4 and were under $5! 🙂

      Reply
      • Sue {munchkin munchies} says

        February 3, 2014 at 6:13 PM

        Thanks, Vanessa! 🙂

        Reply
  16. how to clean a carpet stains says

    February 3, 2014 at 8:34 PM

    You will get to enjoy the most effective methods of cleaning that comes with the best price tag.
    You can prevent build-up from happening on your carpet as well keep
    it clean and fresh. Steam machines also have other devices, including
    both bristle band and circular depth nozzles.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Lori Alexander Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Why We’ve Chosen Vacations Over Projects April 26, 2022
  • A New Look for the Family Room March 1, 2022
  • Christmas Kitchen and Family Room December 19, 2021
  • Christmas Home Tour Part One December 10, 2021
  • Easy Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2021

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I’m slightly obsessed with lavender and have pla I’m slightly obsessed with lavender and have planted it all around our home. Seeing it waving in the breeze, using it to make simple syrup and just breathing it in as I walk past fills my soul!
Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”.
.
When I was a little girl we took a trip to Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO. One of the attractions there is the Marvel Cave. The whole theme park was actually built right around the cave! I will never forget the feeling of descending into the darkness. We had to walk down a steep, narrow path and I could feel the rocky walls beginning to close in on me. From time to time, our guide would even have to call out for us to duck our heads so as not to whack them on rocks that were jutting out. And just when it felt like we had been walking forever; just when it felt the most narrow and the most dark; just when we were starting to get really weary from navigating this path, we turned the corner and found ourselves awestruck as we gazed at this enormous room. Everywhere we looked there were stalactites and stalagmites. Lights had been installed and they reflected off of these formations creating the most beautiful colors on the walls. There were pools of water in a shade of aquamarine I had never seen before and waterfalls flowing from upper levels. That long, winding, damp trek had been so very worth it. The descent into darkness had revealed light…and life!

My prayer for you friends, is that you will look at that narrow path with the small gate as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that our souls are longing for. The wide and broad path of the world promises us a freedom that is fleeting and temporary. But at the end of the narrow path, there is hope and peace and life everlasting.

I’m choosing the narrow path. And in spite of the hardships, in spite of the challenges and the fears and the times that can feel as dark as the journey down into a cave, I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it.
Happy weekend!! My limelight’s are finally bloom Happy weekend!! My limelight’s are finally blooming and I try really hard to not play favorites among the flowers in my garden but these beauties have my heart and bring me so much joy.

What’s bringing you joy today dear friends?
I can’t properly express how much joy it gives m I can’t properly express how much joy it gives me to know that my family loves being home. After a weeklong vacation, we all feel so happy to be back in our haven. As a homemaker in the truest sense of the word (the maker of a home), knowing my husband and children consider this the place where they feel the most relaxed and at peace means all of my intentions and efforts in this area are worthwhile. It’s not perfect and WE are not perfect by a long stretch. But, it’s where we feel the most free to be imperfect. And that makes it pretty wonderful! 🌱
Looking for a super simple summer meal? I made the Looking for a super simple summer meal? I made these last night and they were a big hit! I’ve seen variations of these online but this is my version. So yummy and ready in no time! 
#summerdinner #summerrecipes #grillingseason #grilling #easydinner #easydinnerideas
It’s been the weirdest summer so far here in the It’s been the weirdest summer so far here in the Willamette Valley! Extreme rain and cooler temperatures followed by extreme heat then back to cloudy and rainy. But the silver lining is that when the sun finally does reappear we definitely don’t take it for granted. My mood is lifting along with the clouds and I’m here for it! ☀️
Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙 M Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

May we never take for granted the freedom given to us not by earthly authorities but by the ONE true authority. And may we live in such a way as to honor those who fought for and protect freedom and liberty. 

“Independence Day, freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Blowing thro “Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind.” Nothing captures the aroma of summer for me quite like jasmine. With my windows open, the whole house is naturally scented and it’s one of my favorite parts of the season.
The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 At The Picket Fence