Our Engagement Story - Part One

"Why don't we open stockings here Thursday night before we head to NC on Friday morning? We can even go grab dinner that night!" 

Presents and dinner??? Of course! That sounds perfect. We wanted to have some kind of Christmas tradition for where we've made our home in Atlanta, but wanted to save a lot of fun and the real gifts for our time in NC for our family. So when C came up with this idea, I was so on board! Sounded just like what I wanted - a nice evening full of Christmas lights and Christmas music playing while opening stockings and then a nice dinner out. The boy knows the way to my heart.

I let him be in charge of making the dinner reservation - he's normally our restaurant and vacation planner, so I let him do his thing without asking questions.

I was leaving work early that Thursday (the 20th) to kick off the Christmas break with a nice manicure and pedicure. I had bought a gift card back in June that had a 6 month expiration tied to it, which meant... it would be expired before we got back from Christmas break. So off I went to pick out the oh so popular "You Don't Know Jacque" OPI color.

It was pouring outside that day. The raining cats and dogs type, which is a saying I've really never understood... but it was doing just that. POURING. I got to the nail place and hopped out of the car, dodging rain... or I suppose, cats and dogs... and stepping in every puddle on the sidewalk. That's how it works, right? I always end up in the puddles... no matter what.

I was enjoying my pedicure when I realized C hadn't mentioned anything else about dinner... so I text him, "Are we still going to dinner tonight?" ... but I never heard back from him... and didn't think a thing of it. I assumed he was busy at work, I'd see him when I got home. I went on with my girly spa afternoon and then headed home.

I walked in and he was already there. Side note: I'm always home first... he's a working machine and never makes it home before me. Oh well - I wasn't complaining, we were getting to start our Christmas break early! He gave me the "I just told work I had to leave... my boss seemed frustrated, but I wasn't going to sit around and wait" Welp. Alright... I wasn't fighting that. I mean we did have plans, so I appreciated his efforts to get home on time.

Remember the rain? That was immediate make me want to lay on the couch before dinner kind of weather. So... to lay on the couch I went. Charlie was hanging on the couch with me and we discussed how our days had gone. "You taking a shower before dinner"... Nope, I responded. I was still feeling pretty put together from my day, despite the pouring rain outside... I figured we were going to a nice dinner, but nothing some fresh makeup and a curling iron wouldn't be able to fix.

A few minutes later... "So you're sure you're not taking a shower?" .... Uhhhh... Do I need a shower??? Which of course he brushed off, "No way! You're fine! But we should probably go ahead and start getting ready... our reservations at 8:15" ......

life as an engaged lady

First of all - thanks for all of the congrats on the last post! You made me feel on top of the world. Thanks for being so happy for us!

Now that the "we're getting married!" cat is out of the bag...

Let me tell you about my last almost three weeks as an engaged lady...

• I still refer to C as my boyfriend and giggle like a little girl every time I realize these days he's more than that 
• I look at my ring a mere 1 million times a day. I take pictures of it as if it's changed within the last 5 minutes and watch it sparkle under any and all lighting (picture below at work... have been really focused on the job this week, clearly)

• I skip everywhere I go - fine, I still try to walk professionally at work
• I tear up each time I look at a photographer's or videographer's website because I realize "THAT'S GONNA BE US!!!" and it totally overwhelms me in the most incredible way 
• I've organized my gmail "Our Wedding" folder to a point that screams "This girl is OCD!"

• We've had some pretty awesome people toast us, treat us to dinner, buy us yummy cakes and just all around make us feel like the two most special people in the world

• I've talked to 107 different invitation shops... I love me some pretty paper. How the heck does it get so expensive???
• I've realized, possibly more than ever, that my mama and fiance ;) rock my socks. Both of them. Rock stars. They are so on top of this planning a wedding business and bottom line... what the heck would I do without them?

Let me just say... I'm a fan of being engaged. I'm a fan getting to hang out with my best friend for the rest of my life. He's a funny guy, ya know... it's gonna be a fun life. 

So as far as wedding planning goes... 

We've got the ceremony location BOOKED. 

The reception venue SECURED. 

The photographer has us ON THE CALENDAR. 

and... Oh - ceremony music is being TUNED! (that was a poor attempt, but you get the point)

It's all falling together just right. And the moments I get overwhelmed... I realize what all this excitement and planning means and just like that, I remember I've got the one thing that will make this wedding day perfect. So pumped to walk down the aisle to my groom. 

I'll be back soon with lots of fun details. Going to soak in this feeling as much as possible for now. 

WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!

I can't think of enough words to describe how happy I am to be marrying this hunk of a man. 

...it still doesn't even seem real! 

We got engaged December 20th right here in the place where we've started our first home, it was so us and so perfect... and since that night, I've skipped everywhere I've been. It's a good feeling knowing that I get forever with this guy.

Here we go!! Let the planning begin :)