The Best Presidents Day EVER!

So, if you haven't heard already, it's true, I've got a nasty cold. Your warm wishes are appreciated, I'll get through it.

In other news, Alex proposed this past Monday and I said YES!

We are super excited. I never really was the type of girl who would daydream about my wedding and even after I knew that Alex was the one - I wouldn't let myself think about weddings until he actually popped the question. So now that we are engaged, my head has been swimming with thoughts and ideas of a grand Cinderella gala event. I have been blinded by the sparkling new ring on my hand - all sense of reality was thrown out the window. Thankfully, Alex and my mom have pulled me back into the land of budgets. Sorry guests, horse-drawn carriages will not be picking you up on our big day. I still am enjoying the dreaming stage though!

This picture was taken a couple of years ago at Daryl and Alyssa's wedding, friends of mine from college. I caught the bouquet and believe me, I wasn't trying for it, it just came right at me. At my cousin's wedding a few years before this wedding, the bouquet came right at me and I batted it down. I remembered my embarrassment as this bouquet was flying through the air, aimed right at me. And no, that isn't a halo around Alex's head, it is Alyssa's garter. Alex was the lucky fella who hesitantly picked up the garter after it landed at the feet of all of the bachelors; it was an uncontested movement... and then put it on his head (is this common?).

As for the proposal, Alex and I went to the pier at Alki after I went to the gym on Monday night. We had a beautiful backdrop of downtown with waves crashing against the beach below us. Alex was so sweet (& nervous) and when he got on one knee, I could barely breath! Alex had actually let on to his intentions the day before when he had returned from a shopping trip. I jokingly asked if he had enough money left over to buy a ring - which led to a conversation where Alex was stunned that I knew he bought one, and I thought that he was kidding about purchasing a ring. Once I realized that he wasn't kidding I was surprised and shocked. Alex headed to my parents house that night to ask for their permission - I went to my soccer game wondering how I would make it through the night without telling anyone, let alone function on the field. On that Sunday, Alex said that he would propose in 3-4 weeks, because he wanted to make it special and have some element of surprise to it. At work the next day I felt sick to my stomach, because I was so excited. That evening when I returned home from the gym, Alex revealed that if I had made it home sooner (I stopped by Trader Joe's on the way home) he would've taken me out to Alki that evening. The thought of not being able to tell anyone for another day drove me to reassure Alex that I could be in and out of the shower in 5 minutes and ready to go.

The fact that I knew that Alex was proposing did not take away from his actual proposal one bit. It was perfect for the two of us. Also perfect was the ring. Alex had picked it out on his own. I love it and can't stop staring at it.

As for my blog, I plan on using it to notate my observations and experiences throughout the whole planning stage and will of course keep you updated on Jenkins.