Save the date: CLD and dukediv2012

[CathyCA]

That is a really sparkly ring!

Congratulations!

[devildeac]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! Here is an email that CLD and dukediv2012 sent out to family and friends:

Family and friends,

We hope that this email finds each of you doing well. This summer has been filled with many fun opportunities and new experiences. On Thursday night Claire returned after a wonderful and challenging summer in Uganda. David John planned a brief trip to visit their dear friends Dan and Trudy Beck at High Rock Lake on Saturday. After a fun day in the water, riding the jet ski and speedboat, and a delicious dinner prepared by Trudy, David John took Claire out for a ride on the pontoon boat. We noticed the gas tank was almost empty, so we stopped in the middle of the lake to enjoy the sunset. David John began to talk about the summer and how it had been tough on him. He mentioned that over the past few months he had thought a lot about some of our greatest memories, and as his voice started to tremble, Claire quickly realized where the conversation was headed. David John got down on one knee, revealed a beautiful ring, and asked Claire to marry him! Of course, with tears in her eyes, she said YES! WE'RE ENGAGED!
Once the sun had finished setting, David John went to start the boat so they could head back to shore. After a few attempts, it became evident that the boat was out of gas! Thankfully Dan and Trudy were able to tow us to the dock (while taking some great photos on the way). We walked up from the dock to a candlelit table with champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other desserts. It was a perfect evening.

Today we were able to announce our engagement during David John's installation service at First Baptist Church of Burlington, where he is serving as the Minister with Youth and Families. Both of our families came to the service, and we all celebrated together at lunch. We are so thankful that we could share this time with many family members and friends. However we wish you could have been there as well. Though it doesn't quite do justice to the occasion, we hope this email allows you to experience this special event with us. As we begin this exciting journey together, we are grateful for your love, prayers, and support. We will keep you updated with decisions about our future plans!

Love,
Claire and David John

Dang. I knew all this stuff already, read the same email last PM and still cried when I read this. Thank you for sharing this very personal story with CTN.

And yes, David John, that is about the oldest story in the book since the invention of the gasoline engine ("out of gas"), but it's a darned good and romantic one and the devildeacs still approve ;) .

[CameronBornAndBred]

And yes, David John, that is about the oldest story in the book since the invention of the gasoline engine ("out of gas"), but it's a darned good and romantic one and the devildeacs still approve ;) .

Awwwwwwwwwww..
And damn funny too.

[devildeac]

Congratulations to the happy couple and ecstatic parents!

A summer wedding! And you thought Duke tuition was expensive...

I have talked with some friends who have had weddings in the last 2-3 months. A wedding will be less expensive.

[captmojo]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! Here is an email that CLD and dukediv2012 sent out to family and friends:

Family and friends,

We hope that this email finds each of you doing well. This summer has been filled with many fun opportunities and new experiences. On Thursday night Claire returned after a wonderful and challenging summer in Uganda. David John planned a brief trip to visit their dear friends Dan and Trudy Beck at High Rock Lake on Saturday. After a fun day in the water, riding the jet ski and speedboat, and a delicious dinner prepared by Trudy, David John took Claire out for a ride on the pontoon boat. We noticed the gas tank was almost empty, so we stopped in the middle of the lake to enjoy the sunset. David John began to talk about the summer and how it had been tough on him. He mentioned that over the past few months he had thought a lot about some of our greatest memories, and as his voice started to tremble, Claire quickly realized where the conversation was headed. David John got down on one knee, revealed a beautiful ring, and asked Claire to marry him! Of course, with tears in her eyes, she said YES! WE'RE ENGAGED!
Once the sun had finished setting, David John went to start the boat so they could head back to shore. After a few attempts, it became evident that the boat was out of gas! Thankfully Dan and Trudy were able to tow us to the dock (while taking some great photos on the way). We walked up from the dock to a candlelit table with champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other desserts. It was a perfect evening.

Today we were able to announce our engagement during David John's installation service at First Baptist Church of Burlington, where he is serving as the Minister with Youth and Families. Both of our families came to the service, and we all celebrated together at lunch. We are so thankful that we could share this time with many family members and friends. However we wish you could have been there as well. Though it doesn't quite do justice to the occasion, we hope this email allows you to experience this special event with us. As we begin this exciting journey together, we are grateful for your love, prayers, and support. We will keep you updated with decisions about our future plans!

Love,
Claire and David John

That's a great story and one you be willing to tell for years to come. Well done! You are a lucky man. As a husband, you'll need to tell yourself that you are the lucky one, very frequently.

[Miles]

Awwww such a great story.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

i saw the spectacular picture over on facebook! Life just couldn't be more perfect than that! Congratulations everybody!
Love,love, love, Ima

[devildeac]

6/4/11

[OZZIE4DUKE]

6/4/11

That's our anniversary too!

[ArkieDukie]

6/4/11

That's a fine date. It's the day after my parents' 50th anniversary.

[devildeac]

6/4/11

That's our anniversary too!

Then we/they made a fine choice.

[devildeac]

6/4/11

That's a fine date. It's the day after my parents' 50th anniversary.

I hope Claire and David John get 33 years like Mr. and Mrs. Ozzie but I'd bet on 50 years like your parents.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

6/4/11

That's our anniversary too!

Then we/they made a fine choice.

Just told Beth - she said "Cool! That's a great date to get married on!"

And in 2011 it'll be 34 years.

[CathyCA]

6/4/11

That's our anniversary too!

Then we/they made a fine choice.

I'm thinking that they didn't have much trouble reserving the venue.

[devildeac]

That's our anniversary too!

Then we/they made a fine choice.

I'm thinking that they didn't have much trouble reserving the venue.

Or the officiant ;) .

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I'm thinking that they didn't have much trouble reserving the venue.

Cameron? Wallace Wade? Or something as pedestrian as the Duke
Chapel or Gardens?

[devildeac]

I'm thinking that they didn't have much trouble reserving the venue.

Cameron? Wallace Wade? Or something as pedestrian as the Duke
Chapel or Gardens?

Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh. Dukediv2012's father is the senior pastor there ;) .
We did think about Duke Chapel briefly but neither Claire nor David John were that excited about it and it was $2K+ for rental.
The wedding will not be THAT big...

Cameron?
Wallace Wade?

[TillyGalore]

13 years ago June 4, 2011 I graduated from Harvard. June 4th is indeed a fine day to get married as great things happen on June 4th. Yay for CLD and dukediv2012

[devildeac]

13 years ago June 4, 2011 I graduated from Harvard. June 4th is indeed a fine day to get married as great things happen on June 4th. Yay for CLD and dukediv2012

[shereec]

Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh. Dukediv2012's father is the senior pastor there ;) .

Hopefully the road construction will be finished by then! I live on Sunset right behind the church and the traffic on our street has been a real pain! We even had city buses coming up the street when Whitaker Mill was closed at Glenwood
And just so you know, if you run the stop sign at the bottom of our hill, I'm one of the crazy neighbors who yells at you telling you what an idiot you are... It's astounding how many people don't even slow down for the turn, much less stop!