Caleb and Celia Fox—Our Engagement Story

by Caleb

This story begins five years ago in January of 2007. I was on vacation with my family at a place called Chetola Resort just outside of the small town of Blowing Rock, NC. I remember it was bitter cold that weekend, and I believe we were graced with some snow as well. There is a lot to do and see in that area. You can ski on many of the slopes, take a hike up the mountain, or just enjoy the scenery from a downtown coffee shop. But this particular weekend, there was only one place I wanted to be. About a half-mile walk from Chetola resort is a lake called Bass Lake. It is a beautiful spot. There is a trail that goes around the entire lake, wooden benches all along the way, and it is secluded enough that you might even spot some wildlife. It was and is one of my favorite places in the world.

On January 28 I took a walk from the condo to Bass Lake. I had my cellphone in my pocket, one pencil, and a leather bound journal. I was heading to the lake to think, and I usually think a little clearer if I write down my thoughts. I found a wooden bench by the lake and began to write about one subject, one person—Celia. She had been on my mind a lot. At that time I was very attracted to her and was even flirting with the idea that maybe we had a future together. Of course, at that time it was just a dream, but I still wanted to think through it, try to bring some clarity to my confused and immature mind.
So, on that cold morning I began to write. I wrote about Celia, how she made me feel, what I loved and liked about her, and who I wanted her to be. I wrote for what seemed like hours, although I’m pretty sure it was only a few minutes. When I was done I had my dream on paper—the one dream in my life that I prayed would come true—the dream that was Celia.

I never could have guessed how that dream would one day become my reality. Fast forward five years. It’s January, 2012, and Celia and I are five months into a courtship. I for one couldn’t have been happier. I was starting to see the beginnings of my dream come true. The last week of January I asked Celia if she would want to take a day trip to Blowing Rock on the upcoming Saturday. She agreed. So on that Saturday, January 28, 2012 we climbed into the car and drove the three hours to Blowing Rock. It was a cold day and the wind was an unkind guest to our little trip. We made it to the quaint little town just after lunch. I pulled the car off the road into a gravel parking lot, and then we walked down a wooded trail that opened up to a lake—Bass Lake. By this point my heart was pounding. I was trying so hard to act as normal as possible. We walked around to the opposite side of the lake and stopped at a wooden bench. We sat down and spent a few minutes in silence, admiring the view in front of us, and grateful for a moment peace. Finally, I broke the silence.

“Celia, I have something that I would like to show you. It’s a letter from a long time ago, one that I’ve never told you about. Would you mind if I read it to you?” With her permission I pulled out three separate pieces of paper, three pages from an old journal, and I began to read. I read her the words I had written about her exactly five years earlier, five years to the day, sitting on that exact bench. I read to her the words of a confused boy who only wanted one thing in life, to be with her forever. I read her the words that I had kept with me for five years, the words that, one day, I hoped I would be able to share. With the words of a younger me, and with tears in my eyes I told her I loved her. And with these words I finished the letter: “Someone once said, ‘It’s better to have an impossible dream than no dream at all.’ I believe they were right. And if I could see one dream in my life come true I know exactly what dream it would be—that one day I would walk hand in hand with Celia to this very spot. And once we’d reached the spot I would tell her how much I love her, and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life learning how to love her more. And then I would ask her to be mine forever. It may be an impossible dream. It may even be a foolish dream, but I believe it is a dream worth fighting for. I believe she is a dream worth fighting for.”

With those words I folded up the letter, reached into my pocket, pulled out a ring, and got down on one knee. I told her I loved her, and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life learning how to love her better. “Celia Ann, will you marry me?” And wouldn’t you know it—she said yes!

Caleb Fox, son of Mark and Cindy Fox, grew up homeschooled in Burlington. He studied communications at Thomas Edison State College and now works for Piedmont Metals Inc. in Burlington as a welder and fabricator. Caleb is also a worship leader at Antioch Community Church where his dad pastors.
Celia Fox, daughter of Wayne and Lori Henry, also grew up homeschooled in Burlington. She studied at Alamance Community College and now works as a nurse at Duke Hospital.
Caleb and Cindy were married on June 9, 2012 and live in their hometown of Burlington.