The Story

Finally.

First, to preface with a little explanation. Matt and I met on a school campus, on a mission station, in rural Africa. Aka the Kijabe Fishbowl. Not the most conducive environment for dating. We love these kids to death, but bless their hearts, they needed no encouragement in the “let’s set up Matt and Erica” department. This slightly intimidating attitude led to some creative endeavors on our part, but I think meeting to run every day after Matt had coached soccer was a clue to the team . . . judging by the whistles and occasional applause that would erupt when I appeared after practice. Or being cornered by five 17-yr-old guys and grilled on my affections for Coach Matt. Hilarious. Girls are so much better at being nice . . . anyway, all that to say, we may have tried to keep our relationship under cover for a while.

So what does undercover dating in Kijabe look like? Well, there are no restaurants or movie theaters. Neither of us have our own car so even going to Nairobi was always a group effort. But there was Bible Study and watching Planet Earth at the Richs’ and of course running through Africa and nights just hanging out and talking.

Matt's last day in Kenya. Or so I thought . . .

One wonderful part of the story is that we had opportunity to meet each other’s parents while still in Kenya. Matt’s parents came out for a visit in November and I met them, and then my family came out for Christmas. I am so glad that we had a chance to meet each other’s families, and also that our parents could visit us where we met. Thus everyone was on board when Matt decided he needed to come back to Kenya and ask me to marry him.

matt and my fam. december 08

Thursday night: I was still living with two high school girls while their parents were away at orientation. I was exhausted, having contributed to both a birthday party and a wedding shower so far that week, plus a couple middle-of-the-night phone calls. I had vowed that I wouldn’t be leaving the house for the rest of the night, and just to prove it, was elegantly attired in giant sweatpants and my trademark hoodie, of course with a wet ponytail. (Just needed to emphasize that his was a SURPRISE.) Then we got a visit from Anna, the youngest Rich, explaining that they had gotten a package for me and needed to set up something in my house. This made perfect sense, Matt told me he sent a package, and sometimes they arrive on time . . . so I handed over my keys. A bit later, all three Rich kids were at the door, handing me a rose and reading aloud from a letter that explained that Valentine’s needed to be a little early, since I was having a friend visit next weekend. It all made perfect sense to me, and I obediently followed the Richs down to my house. But not until after I’d snapped a picture of them with “Flat Matt” – a Flat Stanley spinoff I was trying to pull together for Valentine’s Day.

Flat Matt posing. Thanks guys, good sports.

When we arrived at my house, Stephen instructed that I should just “go in and press play” and they disappeared off into the night. I opened the door and saw my house covered in hundreds of roses – I found out later, 20 dozen! – and candles. (thoughts – Wow, the Richs really worked hard in here! Matt is so organized . . . unlike me . . .) A chair was facing the TV, with a dvd cued up ready to go. So I sat down amongst the roses and pressed play. The video was of Matt and his beloved bulldog, Moose, flashing the lyrics of a song playing the background . . . very cute. And when it was over, I was feeling very deflated and sad that he wasn’t here and I was alone. But that didn’t last too long.

roses. candles.

From behind me I heard a voice – Matt’s voice – reading aloud from 1 Corinthians 13. It is a good thing I was sitting down because I would’ve hit the ground, I was so surprised. I don’t think I even said anything, I was just gaping at him as he walked towards me, Matt, in the flesh, in Africa, in my house . . .!?!!! It was really a lot to take in. Much less the fact he was telling me he loved me! and pulling something out of his pocket that looked suspiciously like a ring box. (Hmm, Valentine’s jewelry?) However my little brain was still trying to figure out how in the world it was possible for him to be standing there and I really could not comprehend what was going on . . . until he said something about my parents’ blessing and I caught a glimpse of shiny ring. Then the world stopped spinning and snapped into place. I think he also threw in an “I’m so serious.” And I said yes! And we prayed. And read letters from our parents. And I couldn’t speak a coherent sentence due to my smiles for the next 45 minutes. It was amazing. I was completely shocked and surprised and THRILLED with my life!

It was wonderful. As was RVA’s reaction the next day. High school girls asking their teachers to leave class so they could come to MY class to scream and jump around. The general uproar at flag raising (an all-school Friday ritual) when they announced we were engaged and that they would be naming a doughnut after us the next day at Senior Store. (Oh, RVA.) My kids attempting to pronounce “Yezerski” and settling on “Mrs. Matt.” My general inability to teach through the giant grin pasted on my face. It was so fun!

Coming soon: our engagement party. Dexter and Jenna’s wedding. The adventures of Flat Matt. The adventures of Real Matt and Erica. Life is good here in Kijabe.