One Week!

As of today we have been engaged one week! I'm not yet tired of telling our proposal story or showing people my new bling! (I'm actually headed out for a mani/pedi this afternoon for that reason exactly!) And in just one short week I have toured two venues, met with two caterers, met with one videographer, made a really big binder, scoured countless magazines and blogs, set up a knot.com account and BOUGHT all my flower girl dresses! Oh, and watched, obsessed and enjoyed one really gorgeous royal wedding...

...and so far, I've loved it all.

4.22.11

We are officially ENGAGED!

Our proposal story:

Let me start by saying I am not an easy person to surprise. I am a planner. I plan. I make reservations, and coordinate times and places and I plan events. I got out planned.

Rewind to a few months ago when I asked Matt's parents, John and JoAnn if they would be coming to Ohio (from Minnesota) to join us for Easter. They had visited us for Easter the last two years we were looking forward to their annual trip, until they told us that they we not planning on  coming and would instead wait for summer. We were bummed but totally understood. Fast forward to the weekend before Easter and we receive a FaceTime call from Matt's entire family who is together at his parents celebrating Easter. We chat with everyone, say hi to the kids and hang up at which time I immediately said, "your parents are surprising us for Easter, we need to clean the house."  Matt assured me that they are not the surprising type but I continue to be skeptical thinking that they know I am busy with school and work, and not wanting us to fuss over getting ready for their visit etc. I mean why else would they celebrate a week early.

The following Tuesday I received a call from my Dad asking about our weekend plans. Being that it was Easter weekend I didn't have school and our weekend was relatively free. My Dad asks me if I'd be willing to take some photos of his classic car at North Bank Park, one of my favorite venues/parks in Columbus. Of course I agree and he offers to make a dinner reservation for after which just added to my suspicious of surprise visitors for the weekend.

As the week wears on and Friday approaches rain and lots of it seems inevitable. I can't even imagine taking photos in heavy rains but my Dad insists the car will actually look great that way, so I go with the flow and on Friday evening at 7pm Matt and I go to North Bank Park where I fully intend on not getting out of the car and calling my Dad crazy for thinking I would get soaked to take photos. When we arrive my parents car in no where in sight but I  can see two people standing in a covered archway area of the park, Matt suggests we go see if it's them to which I reply, "go for it, I'm not getting soaked, they can call me." Matt insists I come with him and under an umbrella we approach the building, as we get closer I realized they were not my parents but rather some photographers. As we get to the building one of the photographers ask us if we'd be willing to pose for a few shots for their "website." I definitely thought it was really strange, but agree to pose for a few pics.  Not even two pictures in Matt is on one knee and asking me to marry him!!! Of course I say yes-- shed a few tears and then we are given a mini-photo shoot to show off the new bling and capture the exciting moments! Not long after I ask Matt, "Where are my parents? They aren't even here yet!" And he says "they aren't coming, they are meeting us at dinner." Soon after due to all the rain, and limited photo opportunities we are headed to Cap City for Dinner.

We are early of course due to the photoshoot being cut short and so I spend this 15 minutes of alone time in the car grilling Matt on all the planning, the stories, and the lies I've been told over the past two weeks in order to make tonight happen. Soon, we go into the diner and OF COURSE, Matt's parents walk in having driven 13 hours from Minnesota to share in our special night and weekend. Having dinner with just our parents before telling anyone else was the perfect plan. After a delicious dinner and drinks we all came back to Matt and I's house to begin to share the news with our family and friends... none of whom had any clue what Matt had planned! It was so fun to hear everyone's reactions (there were a lot of "about times" and "finallys!") and to enjoy the weekend together with both of our parents. Now the fun begins...

Listen to matt & kaylea