Proposal Part 2

After the proposal, I was on Cloud 9 and it was so fun hearing the back story. I didn't even get a look at the ring until about 15 minutes later, because it was dark. Once we got to the other side of the property, there was a bottle of champagne waiting for us, compliments of his firm.

 

Will told me all the details.  He asked my Mom for my hand on Memorial Day weekend while we were in Virginia.  My Mom has been working with a jeweler in New York City for years, so once Will had designed the setting, Mom hopped on a train to the Big Apple with the diamond and a picture of Will's design. A week before July 4, the ring showed up at Will's office, and it was perfect!

The center stone was my Mom's 25th anniversary present from my Dad, so besides being a gorgeous diamond, the story behind it is just as beautiful.  I am so grateful and honored that my mother passed this special family stone on to Will to give to me.

Will and I headed over to Will's parents house to show them the ring.  When we walked through the door, my Mom, brother, and brother's girlfriend popped out with streamers.  Will had flown them in to surprise me because he knew how important it was to me to be with family.  

A few of my friends had sent presents ahead of time for us to open that night which was very special.  My college room mate Bethany sent a print of the restaurant in Miami where Will and I had met. She bought it a few months after Will and I started dating and had been holding on to it until our engagement. I was speechless!

Jess and Jon arrived at 11 that night, and the rest of the July 4th weekend was spent celebrating.  Mom left the next day, but the rest of the gang stayed all weekend. Although it was rainy, there was no raining on my parade. I was surrounded by my friends and family and future husband. It was by far, the best weekend of my life!

Thank you to everyone who went out of their way to make our engagement so special!

The Proposal Part 1

This weekend, Will and I had engagement photos in the very place where he proposed.  It brought back so many memories and I can't wait to see the pictures! I love telling the story, so here we go again.

It was July 3, and Jessica and her fiancé were flying in town that night for the July 4th holiday. Will had 4 tickets to visit the Cheekwood Mansion and Gardens.  They are featuring a light exhibit on the grounds, and Will's firm is one of the sponsors of the installation. He visited with his co-workers in June and I was excited to visit myself.

As luck would have, Jessica and Jon's plane got re routed, and despite their best efforts, they wouldn't be landing until 11:30 that night.  We decided to go to the exhibit without "J-squared", and would make a date of it. 

Will and I had been talking about getting married for ages, so I knew it was coming, but my brother and Mom had been purposefully dropping hints that would lead me to believe the proposal was happening in September.

As we were walking down a path in the gardens, Will pointed to a secluded hill that overlooked one of the sculptures.  I walked ahead, and sure enough, there was a beautiful view of a sculpture called "The Blue Moon".  

I asked Will if he took me there because my Dad and I used to howl at the full moon, and how July 4th would have been my parents 32 anniversary. I turned around to ask Will if he was listening, and he was on one knee!!! Best. Moment. Ever!!!!

More to come!