The Next Part of Our Story: Are You Serious?

I have been waiting to share something with you. I have been waiting for pictures, waiting to have time to sit and craft the perfect entry. But after waiting over two weeks, I have realized that none of that matters and I just want to put it out there. I want to write it because in my life, nothing feels real until it is written down. Maybe sharing it with you will make it less surreal and more fantastically real.

On July 1st while walking home from dinner with friends, Nick asked if there were any summery things I wanted to do over the long weekend. I said that I wanted to go on a picnic. Nick said that I should have asked him for that sooner and that he would be glad to take me on a picnic.

The next evening I came home to find Nick napping. The bed looked too cozy so I climbed in and dozed off. A few hours later, Nick was waking me up. I didn't mean to sleep so long, but it felt nice.

"Are we still going for this picnic?" Nick asked.
"Yes, if you're still up for it."
"Sure. It sounds nice. What lake?"
"Lake of the Isles. It's quieter."
"Can we bike there?"
"Sure."
"Should we bring books to read?"
"If you want."

A few minutes later we were out the door. Nick had a back pack stuffed with a blanket, food that he picked up earlier that day, a bottle of wine, and two books. We rode our bikes around Calhoun, the more populated lake, and went over to Lake of the Isles, the quieter more peaceful lake.

We found a spot in the shade of a giant tree, close to the water, and stretched across the grass and street from a beautiful home having a dinner party on their front porch. We were too far to see faces but every once in a while you could hear laughter.

We set up our blanket and started snacking. The food was so good. Fresh bakery bread, Australian pepper crackers, apricot cheese dip, cherries, and the best grapes I've ever had. We sipped wine and talked about when we first met. This is something I do a lot around this time of year. It is close to our anniversary, to when we first met, first kissed, first arrived in Australia.

After a while of talking about that place, that time, that kiss, he told me he had an early anniversary present for me. He made me close my eyes and put out my hands. When I opened them I was looking down at a blue viewfinder. I lifted it to my eyes and found Australia! Sydney! The Opera House, Manly Beach, and Our park. The gift was so thoughtful, so sweet. The images seemed so close and even though they were from the 70's, the places looked the same.

I was completely enthralled with my little gift. I was staring through it remembering, when I heard Nick say, "I have something else for you too." I moved the viewfinder away and looked down. It was hard to focus on what was in front of me. My brain did not process it. I gazed at him without understanding.

"I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
I always thought I would cry. Instead I just stared at him with an incredulous smile. "Are you serious?"
"Yes I am."
"Is this real?"
"You still haven't answered me."
"Yes! Yes I will marry you!"

He slipped the ring out of the box and slid it on my finger. I got nervous it wouldn't fit, I was convinced it wouldn't. But it fit. It fit perfectly and it is more than I could have ever imagined.

I have known for a long time that Nick is the man for me. And our lives already emulate a married couple in that we share a home, two dogs, and have been through the battles of finances, groceries, and cleaning duties. I already know his weird quirks and cute habits. And after all of that, we are still very much in love.

I am excited to share this next year of planning and preparation.

Step 1: Weekend trip to Boston to find a venue and pick a date.
(This picture was taken moments after Nick asked my parents for permission at my best friends wedding reception. Sneaky. Photo courtesy of Abbie.)

Books: What's on Your Shelf?

As mush as I love to read, summer reading assignments always ended the same way. Locked in my room the day before school started, skimming the pages of the skinniest books on the list. I don't know why it is but when reading is required, it's never as much fun.

After I graduated college I really missed talking about books. In an effort to remedy that situation and make new friends, I joined a book club. It was a massive failure. The only difference between that and summer reading was that it was self inflicted. I quit after only two partially read books.

I love having a list in my head of books I want to read and selecting one when the mood strikes. Right now though I am finding my list dwindling. I need suggestions. Please. Let me know. What are some of your favorites? Classics. Contemporary.

Favorites:
The Bell Jar
Mr. Lincoln's Wars
Water for Elephants
Eat Pray Love
Kite Runner
Secret Life of Bees
The Master Butcher's Singing Club (really anything by Louise Erdrich)
Song of Solomon (Really anything by Toni Morrison)

Last 5 Books:
Committed

Yesterday's Weather

The Tipping Point
City of Thieves
The Last Report on the Miracle at Little No Horse

Four Weddings in Four Weeks: Some of My Favorites Get Married

To recreate this past month:
Mix : 1 part new awesome job
8 parts great friends who are getting married
4 parts different states.
Shake thoroughly and pour over the beginning of your summer.

It's so funny the way time works itself out. Four of my closest friends got married within a four week time period. I feel honored, blessed, lucky (whatever you want to call it) to have been a part of their amazing days and they were amazing!

Every friend who celebrated their wedding in the past month is from a completely different part of my life. Each one so important. Each one so much a part of who I am and I am grateful for what their presence brings to my life.


Wedding #1. May 22nd. Krystal and Eric. Together 5 years.
Two of my closest friends in the Midwest. Krystal and I used to be coworkers and now we enjoy drinking wine, grilling out, and talking about our puppies the way way many talk about their children. She and Eric are a great match and a wonderful balance. Minnesota wouldn't be as nice without them.



Wedding #2. May 29th. Adam and Ellie. Together 9 years.
Adam is my cousin. We are the same age and we have always been close. We used to play inspector gadget, ninja turtles, and as we got older he was my favorite guy to have a beer (or more honestly a hard lemonade) with. We have been through everything together. His wife Ellie is lovely. I love her and I love her for him. I realized at their wedding that Adam's oldest friends are my oldest friends and that's pretty cool.

Wedding #3. May 30th. Tracy and Eric. Together 7 years.
Tracy was my roommate in college. Her I were once dubbed Team Chic at a party after beating a bunch of boys at beer pong. From day one, Tre and I clicked and I knew she'd be a close friend. She and Eric truly have grown up together and it has been so fun to have been witness to their love story. Tre and Eric are part of my core group of college friends so in a selfish way, as well, I love them together!!

Wedding #4. June 12th. Kris and Steve. Together 4 years.
Kris and I met in Australia as you have already read all about that. Kris and Steve are wonderful together. They love each other so much and so well. Kris is a girl that boys fall for and Steve is the right one for her to be with. I got to be with her for days leading up to and after her marriage and it was an absolute blessing to be so involved in her wedding. Another fabulous perk was the reunion of our Australia crew which is a rare event that caused me to cry from happiness. I love these people like family.


As you can see nick and I had some fun together...

Dances, cakes, pies, chocolates, cheers,
Laughter, friends, dresses, shoes, tears,
Champagne, bobbypins, kisses, gifts, and beers
Friends promising love to one another for all the coming years!

LAST DAY: A New Chapter

What are the flowers for you? Well, remember when I said I would have some news for you?...

I have accepted a position as an academic advisor! I am beyond happy to write about this. I have wanted to for quite awhile. Today is my LAST DAY in this job. I don't think it's really settled in. I have daydreamed about this for over a year now. All of the stress and frustration that this job, and more honestly this boss, has caused- is over in a few hours!! I try not to use this blog to complain so I haven't mentioned much about it but seriously, not having this presence in my life anymore can do nothing but wonderful things for me and those around me.

My entire team is in the same place with these feelings and this is why I am the fifth person to depart from this team in a month!! If that doesn't send a message, nothing will.

The flowers - right- are a congratulatory gift from a coworker/friend who deeply understands what leaving this team really means. Deep sigh of relief! To make things better, not only am I excited to leave this job but I am equally excited for the job that is waiting for me. I can not wait to see what the next chapter brings!

OK, I have to run to my last day lunch celebration!

Oprah: Take the Pledge. Save a Life.

Unless you live under a rock you have probably heard of Oprah's "No Phone Zone" campaign. It is bringing awareness to the dangers of driving and texting or talking on the phone. While I don't text, I am guilty of being on the phone in my car. I do see now how dangerous it is so I, along with about 300,000 people, have signed the pledge. I encourage you to do the same by following this link.

Thanks!

Also something pretty great happened today. I will hold off sharing for now but I will tell you as soon as I can. Sorry couldn't help but give a teaser.

Happy Monday!

Late Night: Sleepless Over Spring

Last night I fell asleep on my couch really early watching baseball. Nick woke me up and I went up stairs and got ready for bed. By the time my head hit the pillow, I was wide awake. So I got back up, cleaned, and slected an episode of Oprah to watch (yes I record it everyday).

The episode was about dream jobs. It was inspiring to hear all of these unique, passionate people share how they got to be what they are. They kept repeating the importance of following your passion. Such good advice and I will be coming back to this highly relevant topic in oh about eight days but for now, let's keep it light.

One of the guests was a guy who creates the most amazing flower creations. It was so beautiful. I am going to share with you some of my personal favorite flower designs that I have found, so that my blog can bloom like the city around me.

PS ssshh but these images came from here.

Something to think about: Jeans

Today I was searching the website of one of my favorite clothing stores and I saw that my favorite pair of jeans (that I recently ripped) was marked down from $70 to $20. Heck yeah, I wanted to buy! So I click on them and go to choose my size and screeeeech to a stop when I realize the only size available is a.... 00 Long!! Double.. Zero.. Long.. What? Are there people outside of supermodels that could wear that?? Seriously, are there?

I used to want to open up a store called something like "Customsize". It would sell jeans. The idea is that the customer gets to design the jeans. You pick the color, the fade, the stretch, etc and then, AND THEN, you are measured and the jeans are designed to fit YOU. Amazing right?? I know it would probably be kinda spendy but I know a lot of women (maybe men too) who would pay a little extra if they could get what they really want. And I really want.

Final thought on jeans: Next time you are somewhere crowded: a concert, a restaurant, a bus. Look around and notice all of the people wearing jeans. Have you ever thought that it's kind of weird that everybody walks around wearing blue pants?