I'm Engaged!

OK, so, I know I post funny stories/experiences and whatnot but I have to officially post about my ENGAGEMENT!

Most of you probably already know how it went down or at least put the pieces together via the Facebook updates. For those of you that don't know, don't fret, for I will tell you right now!

December 15, Chazz had his first advanced amateur MMA bout. Advanced amateur basically means the fighters are allowed to incorporate "ground and pound" into their fight strategy. It is as scary as it sounds (to me, anyway). The fight was at Wild Bill's in Duluth (or Gwinnett- whatever you prefer) in a traditional boxing ring (I don't agree with this- MMA is meant for a cage/octagon. You can't reset two fighters mid-fight because they're under the ropes- it just shouldn't work that way). 

This fight night was Wild Bills' annual Toys For Tots charity. If you brought an unwrapped toy, you got a free general admission ticket. There was estimated to be about 3,000 people there. No pressure, right?

The day of the fight I made Chazz run errands with me, one errand being to go to the mall. I kind of tricked him into going because I knew he wouldn't have gone otherwise. The joke ended up being on me because he started shadowboxing a mannequin and broke it's hand off. -_-. As I tried on what seemed like 247 outfits, he was NO help picking one. He kept saying how he was ready to go and he didn't care what I wore. But I cared, I wanted to dress up a little bit, being that my man was fighting! After sending pics to about 5 different friends I decided on an outfit at the last minute on my own. Red skinny jeans and a black, sparkly peplum top. Boy, do I regret that choice.  Turns out, neither those jeans nor that top photograph very well. Oh well.

(these were my outfit choices)

After (finally) getting dressed, we packed everything into the car and headed to the venue. I had been dealing with "fight Chazz" all day so was making sure to be very calm, and patient (two things that I never am) as well as hide the crazy anxiety that I always get before he fights. Once we got there, he went straight to the back as I waited in the crazy long line to get in. I get in, find my 3rd row seat, greet my friends as they trickle in, and indulge in a couple vodka/crans (don't judge me- I was a nervous wreck). Chazz's mom led us in a group prayer before the first bout that actually made me feel really good. That should be a tradition. Although I'm not sure how many more fights she can take. 

The fights start and eventually Chazz's bout is next. We hear Johnny Cash blare through the speakers and we knew it was "go time." We went crazy cheering for him, and let me just tell you, the person that walked down that stage and into the ring was not the papa bear that I know- this was The Hybrid, for sure (his nickname). Anyway, it was a grueling match, my entire body was shaking viciously the whole time (sorry Jess and Jamie- I know I was probably grabbing ya'll the whole time) especially when we noticed how much be was bleeding from  his nose. Fast forward, Chazz "The Hybrid" Walton wins in the 3rd round with 20ish seconds left via arm bar!!!!! Once I knew he won, I pushed past my friends to stand in the aisle to make sure I got a picture of the referee raising his hand. 

As I take the pic, I immediately post to Facebook to let everyone know he won. While I am posting, I hear the emcee pass the mic to Chazz. At first confused, I just figured maybe they were interviewing all the advanced and pro fighters to kill time. I hear him say, "did ya'll enjoy that?" and I'm thinking- wow, this is all adrenaline, Chazz doesn't do public speaking. Then I hear, "I'd like to call someone very special inside the ring..... Megan, could you come inside the ring?" 

I am so confused. I started looking around and kept saying, "wait, what's happening?" Of course, no one would answer me and they just pushed me toward the ring while my brain is still trying to figure this out. As I walk up the wooden stairs, one of his corner men hold open the ropes and I say to him, "what's happening?" and he responds, 
"Just go with it."



Afraid I might break my neck in front of thousands of people, I ditch my heels and I step into the ring. Of course, Chazz wants me front and center and makes me come to him, in the very middle. I'm so awkward, I don't know what to do with my hands. I still have my cell phone hanging out of my front pocket and my wrislet dangling from my arm. I am also very aware of the blood I am most likely standing in. Chazz gets the crowd to cheer for me and before I know it, he is down on one knee. The crowd goes nuts- I now know what's happening. I immediately cover my mouth with my hands in shock, taking everything in. He then says,
 
"Megan Wilbourn, I've loved you since I met you.... (pulls out ring) Will you marry me?" 


I almost can't hear anything over the cheering, I pull him up from kneeling (because that was making me uncomfortable) and hug him, kiss him and his bloody face and of course- SAY YES! The emcee puts the mic in my face and asks me to scream my answer. My first thought was, I'm not doing that. And then, Megan, say something witty and clever. Thank GOD I just replied with "yes", because I don't make good jokes under pressure (see my "Ballin" blog post). 


So, we are now engaged and he gave me a ring inside a ring. He also told our good friend that he knows MMA is a selfish sport and he wanted to prove that he will always put me before everything and wanted to make the night about me. It was perfect. I am so lucky. ::end gushing::


Watch the proposal HERE!


Signed,
The Future Mrs. Walton