Happier times!

That last post was a real downer. I haven't rehashed the whole "how we met" thing, which is much more pleasant of a post. So here it goes... We were both undergraduate students taking our first Ecology course. We had lab together and became part of the same lab group. I totally thought he was cute and that one of the other lab group members was jonsing for him too. I put the flirt on pretty unabashedly. I even stooped as low as acting stupid for some tutoring time from him. Well that caused him to not take me too seriously as a scholar. Anyway, thinking I was at least a fun kind of girl, we became fast friends. He eventually took me seriously (especially when I kicked a$$ in that class), but as it turned out, he was in a relationship (albeit unhappy) with someone. I was pretty devastated, but happy to have a friend at least. He eventually moved out of that relationship and a few months later he asked me out. I even had to ask him if he meant as friends. Too funny - I was so smitten, but in friend mode for so long. Our first date was magical. It was nothing special in terms of what we did - bar hopping and walking around Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. But there was some serious sparks flying! Comparing that date with all the dates I have ever had in my life - I should have known that he was THE one right then and there. Flash forward 10 years, and here we are.

Next up... the hell of finding a ceremony and reception site that is in our budget and makes the fiance happy.

With joy, also comes sorrow

So, this next post was earmarked to be how my fiancé and I met. Well, my stream of consciousness's wasn't having that. Instead, as I was thinking happy thoughts while envisioning my family celebrating with my fiancé and I, I remembered all the people who will be missing it. And so the sorrow kicked in... and that's where I am. Many of my loved ones have passed away. All of my grandparents, my Aunt, and my great Aunt have left this place. I am not over it - not even close. Yeah, I don't handle death too well. I reminisce too much about people, places and things especially related to my family. So, I think of these people often and fondly, and miss them terribly.

How will I honor these wonderful people that have so seriously supported and fostered my development, without losing it on my wedding day? I don't think I have made it through any of my friends' ceremonies, especially where the officiant mentions "people that are no longer with us" without getting misty. I have no idea - I am such a crier! I know my parents won't be much better either.

To be honest, I would rather do away with that line in the ceremony. I don't want to be reminded that they aren't there because I want to be happy - happy for the people we still have with us.

Alternatively, I would like to display framed pictures of my grandparents and great aunt's wedding portraits. Hopefully, I can also get my my hands on a picture of my recently departed Aunt. This, I think I can handle.

Regardless of how we manage this, I am thankful for waterproof mascara. Death sucks!

How it came to be - the proposal...

He worked so hard and everything was against him. He wanted to ask me on a horseback riding trip on the coast, but the weather had been terrible. He wanted to do it a week earlier, but I changed my flight and wasn't in town. He wanted to ask my parents in person, but again, I changed my flight and WAS around. In the end, it was perfect and it was us...

He first asked for my parents' blessing over the phone. He tried to get my father on the phone for 5 straight days. When he finally got in touch with them, they were ecstatic! With their blessing, he went ahead with his plan. Instead of horseback riding, though, he surprised me by making my favorite breakfast - French Toast - even though he doesn't cook. I woke up to find a beautiful spread on our dining room table: tulips, fresh fruit, coffee, juice, etc... I started to eat a strawberry, when he flew into the dining room, came down on his knee, and said, "before you eat, will you marry me?". I was in shock, but managed to say yes or of course or something in the affirmative. I was so surprised! He then took me out for Tapas and wine and to then to see an African dance performance. It was all too perfect and lovely. I am a lucky woman!