Going the Distance

Weekend Recap

Hey party people!

How's the weather where you are, cuz it's rainy and gross in the DC area. Blah! Not to mention it took me double the normal amount of time to get to work today because something was up with traffic (I'm still not sure what). Double boo!

But, let's talk about this weekend, shall we?

It was slightly less eventful than last weekend (you know, getting engaged and all) but still a lot of fun!

Friday MG and I went to go look at a wedding venue (we have a date in mind and want to make sure we can jump on it). Annnnnd, we LOVED it! It might be the one!! We're still gonna look at a few more, but this place had everything we could want, was within our budget, and we don't feel like we're sacrificing anything.

In. Love.

That night we went out with a few couple friends of ours and got to share our excitement with them, and then Saturday night we had dinner with a new couple,--I met the girl through bookclub--which was a lot of fun (and I needed it after getting some not-so-pleasant news about someone wanting us to change our wedding date because it's "too close" to theirs....it's 3 weeks difference, btw). Then we met up with MG's big group of friends since a few people were in town for a bridal shower on Sunday. It was nice to see everyone (and get to share my ring and engagement story over and over...it never gets old!)...but we were pretty tired from the night before so we headed home around midnight.

Sunday MG and I did some cleaning, and then I headed to that bridal shower for one of our friends who is getting married in July. It was really nice, very intimate and fun. I came home and MG and I ordered pizza for dinner, face timed with one of MG's best friends and his wife, asked them if their little 3 year old cutie of a son would be our ring bearer (they said yes!!), and then we watched Game of Thrones which was an Oh-My-Goodness episode! The Red Wedding. Wow! I feel like I'm traumatized.

And now, it's another Monday. Only two more to go after this one and then it's the end of the school year!

What'd you do this weekend?
I'm off to get through today, head to my end of the year speech luncheon....and try not to let that wedding "request" rub me the wrong way...too much, anyway.

Blog Every Day in May {Day 31}: Proposal Story!

Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Well, this memory is a recent one, but it is VERY vivid in my mind.

The day that MG proposed to me!

We were staying in Philly for the night, under the premise that he had a free night's stay from hotels.com for all of his work travels so we stayed at the Hotel Monaco on Saturday with plans to go to dinner that night. It was a windy day, but it wasn't raining like it had said in the forecast so we walked around the city during the day, did some shopping, had some cheese steaks, went to Penn's Landing market, South Street, etc. After several hours, we headed back to the hotel to relax and get ready for dinner and a wine happy hour that our hotel had at 5.

Around 5:30 we went to the hotel lobby and had a glass of wine (or two), then left to head to the restaurant. MG said that we should walk up the street a bit to hail a cab and I asked if the front door men could do it, but he said this would be easier to hail a cab going in the right direction. I thought nothing of it.

So we walk out of the hotel, towards the lawn in front of Independence Hall, and as we're walking across the grassy area, MG says we should get a picture. Being the photo-lover that I am, I eagerly say "ok" and start reaching in my purse for my camera. And then I turned around because MG stopped walking.

And there was something shiny in his hand, coming out of his pocket.
He said a lot of nice things, including how it would make him the happiest man alive, got down on one knee...and then used my full name, and asked me,

"Will you marry me?"

I am crying, saying over and over again, "Shut up! Shut up!"
Once I got over my shock, I said "yes" and he put this gorgeous ring on my finger.

We kissed and hugged...a bunch!

And then I stopped a random person, said we had just gotten engaged, and asked if he would take our picture (not knowing what had been captured above)

Then I called my dad and my mom, and my best friend. My dad informed me that he knew, because MG had had lunch with him earlier that week! (sneaky devil!)

So eventually, MG tells me that we're not really going to dinner at the place I thought we were going to, and that we needed to head back towards the hotel. We did, and waiting outside for us was a limo!

We get in, and the driver says he can drive us around for as long as we need. So we are both having champagne, calling friends and family, excited.

And after a bit, I'm on the phone with MG's sister talking about everything as we're pulling down a small street.
And then I see MG's nephew in the street. I hang up on MG's sister because I realize that his family and family friends are there!

We get out of the limo, get hugs, and then I see my mom standing there. I was SO surprised! (and proceeded to start crying again...)

And eventually after the swarm of hugs and excitement I was introduced to a guy who says, "I was the guy under the tree, and I took pictures of the whole thing!" (he was MG's dad's best friend) So we have pictures of every moment of the proposal, and a video of the limo pulling up outside of the restaurant, and it's amazing. He played the pictures for us at dinner and I cried all over again!

We had dinner and celebrated with everyone and the whole night is a total blur of happiness and excitement.

After dinner and all of the celebrating, MG's parents and my mom drove us back to our hotel, where I told the doorman that we had just gotten engaged so he took us to the lobby bar and bought us each a drink. We sat in our haze of happiness and talked about our plans and ideas....

I couldn't have asked for anything better! If I had known for 100% certainty that he was going to propose that weekend (I didn't), I never would have guessed HOW he did it or the surprises he had in store for me throughout.

I know MG said that he is lucky to have me, but I know I'm just as lucky and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us!

Oh, and I guess I should also say, Thanks, Match.com! ;)
~.~.~.~

Oh my goodness, we made it! What a fun trip this has been! A huge round of applause to Jenni for setting this great idea up! And for getting us all to venture out a bit more :)

Blog Every Day in May {Day 30}

Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go

I think letting go is one of those things that's easy to talk about, but not so easy to do. At least for me anyway.

I think it's a lot easier for me to let go of things now, than they've been for me in the past. And I think that comes from lots of experience with it, and learning from situations.

When it comes to love relationships and letting go, I've learned to look at the reason it ended. What did I get from it that I want in another relationship? What do I absolutely NOT want? It took me a LONG time to be able to focus on that, as opposed to the sorrow associated with a "lost love." But I swear, it has helped me so much, and gotten me to where I am now.

When it comes to friendships, I find this sometimes even harder than love relationships. Probably because I know how hard it is to find good friends who you can count on. But, in that same vane, if things aren't working out in your friendship, then maybe it isn't as good of a relationship as you thought. Or that it used to be. I've learned that surrounding yourself with people who support you and are there for you, no matter what, is SO important in being an emotionally healthy person. It's important to be with friends who are able to admit when they've hurt you, and who you feel comfortable doing the same with.
Stress is no good for you mentally, or physically, so focus on the people who make you better, especially when you're having a rough time.

Bottom line is, it's hard to let go. But, in order to move forward and become an even better version of you, it's necessary to "let go"...of hurt, pain, grievances, etc. Sure you can still have an emotional attachment to someone, on some level, but don't let it consume your thoughts. It's not worth it, and the only person you're holding back is yourself. Not to mention that all of the time you're spending thinking about them, is time that someone who is even better can't get in.

And you certainly don't want that!

So, I think this turned into relationship advice, but oh well! It's what I know in my 30 years of life experience, so you can take it for what it is! :)

**Come back tomorrow...the proposal story is coming!!!**

Blog Every Day in May {Day 29}

Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post

(1) Bless the Broken Road

I've always been drawn to this song. It encompasses everything that I believe about "everything happens for a reason." I also remember that this song came on at the first wedding MG and I went to together, very early on in our relationship, and it hit home-- I knew that I had met someone special. And it's continued to ring true to this day.

(2) Going Back to Cali

Every time I hear this song I can't help but dance to it, sing it, or workout to it. I also remember a time I was riding in the car with my friend Bree. She was dropping me off at my apartment, it was warm out so we had the windows down, and this song came on as we got close to my apartment. And we drove right on past my apartment and kept driving around the neighborhood until the song was over, belting the lyrics out the window! haha

(3) Lean on Me

In 2nd grade, early 90's, my teacher taught us how to do Sign Language to several songs and we would perform them with a 5th grade class at assemblies and such. I LOVED this song. I learned the words/signs to this song. I was SO excited to perform this song.
And then Alan Fann got chicken pocks.
And then I got chicken pocks.
And then I missed the performance. And I was heart broken.
I think of it every time I hear this song. And I still remember some of the signs. At least I think I do....but then again, maybe I'm cussing in sign language and have no idea.

(4) Joy To the World

I will forever associate Three Dog Night, and this song specifically, to riding in the car running errands with my mom when I was growing up. For some reason we enjoyed singing this song together, and I smile every time I hear it thinking about it. I can even picture the front of the case for this album, too.

(5)- Say Hey (I Love You)

I just love how upbeat and happy this song is. I bop around when it comes on, it makes me smile, and I just can't help but be happy when I hear it.
What's not to like about that?? :)

Honorable mention: MmmBop

You might be wondering what the hell I'm thinking, but there's a really funny story behind this one. In college, a friend of mine who horribly disliked his freshman year roommate, somehow rigged that guy's computer to play this song, in its entirety, every time he opened ANYTHING on his computer.
Needless to say, in order to solve the problem, that guy had to listen to this song MORE times than any one person ever should have to. Best prank ever.
(This same kid who got pranked also peed on his own keyboard one night. Punk'd himself I guess.)

WILW and Oh How Pinteresting

Oh my goodness, how is it already Wednesday? That might have something to do with the slight whirlwind I've been experiencing lately, but let's get to some WILW and Pinteresting:

I'm loving that I'm officially ENGAGED!!!! MG popped the question over Memorial Day weekend in the best way possible (story and more pics still to come!)

I'm loving the outpouring of love from family and friends. It's been so special to hear from everyone, including all of my blog friends!

I'm loving that MG made everything SO super special and memorable for me. It's a day I will surely never forget, and will continue to make me smile for years and years to come.

I'm loving my ring. Oh my word, did he pick out a good one (with maybe a little help from his sister!) Boy rocked it out (get it...rock? ok, I'm engaged, but I'm still corny) and I have a nice sparkle on my ring finger going on! (I tried to get a pic on here but blogger is being a butthead)

I'm loving that I'm inheriting an amazing family! MG's middle sister even changed her profile pic on facebook to this yesterday:

I feel loved. And I have sisters now! :)

I'm loving that I'm 12 followers away from 300! That's incredible! :)

And, as always I'm loving Pinterest, especially now that I can actually USE my wedding board!

This week I've been pinning...(don't worry, only one is wedding related)

Super cute Spring/Summer look!

Yes, purple WILL be in my wedding. LOTS of it!!! haha

Tomato egg salad made with greek yogurt!
I really need to get on this train!

Love this for a dining room table that saves space, too!

Mmmmm, pie!

true story.

Check out what else I've been pinning!

Wishing you a happy Wednesday from up here on Cloud 9! :)

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!

~~I interrupt my Blog Every Day in May post to bring you this mega exciting one! (Scroll below for the Blog Every Day in May post)~~

So, this Memorial Day weekend is going to be a memorable one for me, because MG and I got engaged!!!! He proposed to me in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday!

The whole, gloriously romantic and well-planned-out story will be coming soon, but for now, here's a pic of us, just after it all took place: