She's from Chi-Town. He's from Upstate. Wanderers both. Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Florida, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, nor Tennessee could contain them. So they wound up in Arkansas, but didn't actually meet in Arkansas. While living in Arkansas, they both were sent to Iowa for work. So they met in Iowa. Upon return to Arkansas she began stalking him in his office. I mean like every day. Following some amazing, really connecting conversations, he asked her out. She said no. So then more amazing conversations led to lunch. He asked her out again. Again, she said no. More awesome talks and common work functions led to him asking her out while riding in a golf cart. She said ... you guessed it .. NO. Undeterred, he enlisted some of her friends who were pulling for him. With their assistance dinner was arranged with her and a friend. At the end of the night it happened. That kiss. FINALLY she said yes.
Ok, I did NOT stalk him, but everything else is pretty true.
10 - COVID 9 - She fled to Minnesota for a while. 8 - The fight - let's just say there was a rake involved and leave it at that. 7 - $$$ 6 - Game of Thrones was on. 5 - He blew the proposal. (More on that later) 4 - Have you seen how short he is?? I can't wear any of my damn heels again! Is it worth it??? 3 - New York vs. Chicago (I think we all know the real winner there). 2 - COVID ... again. 1 - And Money. Good God these weddings cost a fortune.
It took me seven months to design the ring and get it right. Two returns because the jeweler seemed to think daisies looked the same as the Sun. So after seven months I finally pick up the finished product. Feeling semi-confident she would say yes since we had talked about it before, I arrive home after work, set the ring box on the bathroom counter with the intent of putting it in the safe for hiding, and decide to go change my clothes first. That led to taking some clothes to the laundry room, which led to emptying the dishwasher and doing the dishes, which led to cooking dinner and finally to my desk to finish some work. Now, I had been plotting several different proposal scenarios over the years. All ingenious and unique of course. Before I had a chance to put any of my master plans in motion, I hear a scream from the bathroom. I drop everything and run to the bathroom because I thought she was hurt. As soon as I turn the corner my memory of the ring came surging back like a slap in the face. I blew it. So, I grab the ring box, which she had opened thinking it was little gift. (BTW. This is how you know you've spoiled someone too much - a Zales box on a random Tuesday is a little gift) I turn to her and say "well I blew that but will you marry me anyway?" She said no as usual ... just kidding, although for the record she HAD turned me down twice before. She did, in fact, say yes!
Rule#1: Have Fun!! Rule#2: See Rule #1. We can't have fun if you don't. Rule#3: Leave yo DRAMA at home! Don't care if someone did you wrong. Don't bring that energy to our party! Rule#4: Dance! And then Dance some more. Don't be wallflowers!! Rule#5: DON'T upstage the Bride! No proposals, no baby announcements, no stealing of the thunder!! Rule#6: Be sure to sign our "guestbooks" (You'll see) and take pics (again, you'll see). Rule#7: Games on the reception tables are meant to be played! Play them! Rule#8: Drink and be merry .... but let's not get TOOO merry. Rule#9: We're ALL family now. Try to meet everyone!! Rule#10: Did we mention have fun? Seriously, we are so excited to share this day with all of you and we want everyone to have a blast because that's what makes us the happiest.