It all begins to unfold...

10.26.11:   We book our location.

Check it out:  http://www.watermarkmarinawilmington.com/Weddings.htm

Yep, the WHOLE weekend will take place here....rehearsal, ceremony, and reception!  So excited!  I'm getting married on the water...dreams do come true.  :-)

Stress Venting Here: AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-30-11

I'm soooooooooooooooooooooo stressed out!!!!  I need tips!  Help!  :-(

Trying to find the perfect place for our "dream" wedding, with all of our friends and family, getting great pictures, feeding everyone, decorating......booze (well, that's not stressful...more like stress relief!)......all while staying in a budget!  AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay.  I vented.  I feel a little better.  

The story of the ring

I thought it would be interesting to be able to see the contrasting views in this blog, coming from each of our sides, showing what all went into "the big question"

July 28 made a solid year with Lori, and I was very excited.   Throughout our time together, I'd been thinking about the idea of marrying her, praying about it, reflecting on our relationship, praying some more, and asking God what He'd have me do.  To know me is to know that while I'm often confident on the surface, I, like most guys, have some doubts about things lurking just beneath the surface.  This was a very important time to me, so I'd taken steps in my walk with God to know that the decision I would be make would be a strong one, based on my faith, unshakeable, and with open eyes.  Our mutual faith has played a great role in our relationship.  That's been very encouraging, and I enjoy all that it brings us, knowing particularly that when we disagree, our foundations lead us to discuss things rather than shut one another out (as I commonly did in all my prior relationships).

All that having been going on in the background and in my mind, more than one person asked me along the way to imagine what my life would be like without Lori.  Taking the time to really think about that deeply was a turning point for me, knowing solidly the decision that I would make.

August 5, we were at one of our Country MegaTicket concerts (Kenny Chesney) in Raleigh.  While Lori was away for a minute, our friend Catt nudged me and said "so it's been a year, where's this heading?"  Little did she know what was already being worked out in my mind...

On August 12th, Lori & I had gone on a trip to DC.  I had spoken with mom before this trip, telling her a little about my plan, and asking her to distract Lori for me.  I had conveniently scheduled a dentist appointment that day, virtually guaranteeing that Lori would not want to go with me, since my dentist is a good family friend and we inevitably talk for a while.  So, Mom took Lori out for a "girls' day," helping me to carry out my pre-arranged plans to go see Teddy, the jeweler who made Mom & Dick's rings.  Dick drove me to Teddy's, where we decided on a ring design and I got to see the center diamond for the first time.   And so began "Operation Don't Spill the Beans!"  Needless to say, the next few months, holy crap, months, dragged by when it came to figuring out the logistics of actually getting the ring while not telling a single word of this to Lori.   VERY difficult, given that I have become so accustomed to being open, honest, and forthcoming about everything with her.

God's Timing

So I have to say that God simply amazes me.  Yesterday, Jason and I had a great "day date" watching the Redskins/Eagles game (sad outcome), then headed off to church before meeting friends for dinner.  The message series for the next six weeks is titled: Marriage:  Why Bother?  Wow!  I whole series on marriage and making sure you're entering into it for the right reasons and that God is at the forefront of your relationship!  I just can't wait to see how this study helps us grow even closer together in our faith and relationship.

Last night Jason prayed for us.  He has no idea how much it meant to me.  I have the most amazing guy....and yesterday God helped remind me (and him too I'm sure) that we really are together for the right reasons.  :-)

So why am I blogging?

So here I am, sitting on the couch with Duke and Buster (and Rachel's dog Teddy) one week after Jason popped the big question.  In just one week a gazillion things have gone through my head...all good....but my brain won't stop.  I've decided that since we're going to have a long engagement, I better write down my ideas somewhere.  Then I got to thinking...there could be some pretty funny adventures that happen along the way in this planning process so why not document that too?  So here I am...creating my first "real" blog....we'll see if I can actually stick to it!

The Wedding Diet Begins

Well....I've always been a yo-yo dieter.  I've worked hard to keep the last 10 pounds off...refusing to get over a "certain number" again...but of course I need to lose more.  So.....why not use this wedding as a way to set and accomplish some goals!  We have a year and 5 months (ish)...why not??

I've tried Weight Watchers, but it's too complicated for me to stick with.  I'm heading back to myfitnesspal.com which is a simple calorie tracker.  I figure all this goes with the blog and sharing this part of my story will help me maintain more accountability as well!  Soooooo....here we go!  Today is day #1 of Week #1.  Wish me luck!

10-17-11:  Wow...I actually worked out today...yep, and won't be able to move tomorrow.  But hopefully I'll sleep better!

10-18-11:  Yeah!  Worked out again!  :-)

10-20-11:  Four days in a row!  14 days = a habit....we'll see!!!

10-30-11:  Well, I did great week one!  Lost over 3 lbs....and then came week two...lol!  Oh well, can't live in the past....back to it!  :-)  9 months to go!

11-17-11:  Okay....so the week from hell at work is over....again.  Lol!  I'm still down those three pounds from October, but that's about it.  HOWEVER, I purchased some serious motivation on Monday....yep....got "the dress!"  So excited and that's all I can say or Jason will kill me!

11-20-11: yeah! We both made it to the gym today! It felt great to run and lift weights... Fun times! Running in the schools Turkey Trot tomorrow!

Engagement- 10.9.11

At the Biltmore 10.6.11 

So everyone wants the story of how he did it....

Oktoberfest 10.8.11

Well, Wednesday the 5th, we left for a trip to Asheville, NC to celebrate my 30th birthday.  We had an amazing trip!  We took my dogs, Duke and Buster, and went hiking, walking around downtown, enjoyed the chalet we stayed in, went to the Biltmore and enjoyed many of Asheville's local breweries.  On Saturday, we went to Oktoberfest and had a BLAST!  Later that night at dinner we got into a strange fight.  I wasn't really sure what brought it on, but it was simply awkward and made me wonder what in the world was going through Jason's head.  We ended up at a Christian coffee shop later that night...funny how things happen the way they're supposed to.  At the time, I still had no idea what Jason was planning, but I knew he was relieved to have found that coffee bar and the owners who had an amazing story to share.  We both left feeling really good about us, but things were still a bit awkward.

Sunday morning we went to Corner Kitchen Restaurant for an amazing brunch.  We had some "generic" conversation, but he still seemed to be in this far off place....of course I'm starting to think the worst when in all reality his nerves were killing him....he has the ring in his pocket!  We got back to the chalet and I just asked him what was going on.  He started babbling about the future and our differences, and just off the wall crazy stuff....so of course we end of fighting again.  Ahhh!  He decided to go get coffee down the street...he asked me if I wanted any and of course I said no...I felt we both needed a few minutes apart.  I was totally confused about what had gotten into him.

So he leaves for Starbucks and of course I call my Mom...I told her what was going on and she asked me one question...How much do you love him?  Of course my love for Jason is stronger and so different than any love I've ever felt...but I was angry and confused with him after the last 24 hours.  I had told him that it's normal to fight, we talk through things and we move on...Mom reminded me of that and said basically said...make up and move on.  :-)  So simple.

He popped the question!  10.9.11

I sent Jason a text that simply said "I love you."  I could "hear" the relief in his text when he texted back and said "Thank you.  I love you so much."  He returned not long after that with a rose, the sweetest card ever, and no coffee...haha!  We talked and kissed and made up.  We decided we had time to take the dogs to the dog bakery downtown before going on a comedy bus tour.  We got the dogs ready and started to head out the door.  He stopped, turned around and said wait.  There's one more thing... He reached into his pocket and I just knew.  My heart started racing and tears filled my eyes.  He got down on one knee and said "Lori, this is why I've been acting crazy the last few days."  He went on to tell me he'd been carrying that ring around all day long, that he was so nervous and felt like he'd been hiding things from me which was killing him.  He told me that I was the only one for him and that he wanted to be with me forever.  Then he said "Lori, will you marry me."  Of course at that point I'm a bit of a mess, but didn't even hesitate, saying "yes, yes, yes!"

So...after a LONG 24 hours, everything made sense!  It's been a week now and it's like a billion pounds have been lifted off of both of our shoulders.  Our whole outlook on our relationship changed with one question.  Now, there's no question about our future...it's just all of the "hows and whens" that come with planning a wedding.  We're very excited and I can't wait to share this progression!

LaZoom comedy tour...happily engaged!  10.9.11

A farewell to Asheville "family picture"  10.10.11