We're Getting Married!

Laci and Brian met while working on a restaurant construction project in Michigan. Brian took over as project manager and realized the project was severely behind schedule. One of his due diligence tasks was to contact all the subcontractors, most of whom didn’t even know they were selected for the project and therefore they were behind schedule. One of his emails was to the project manager, Laci, with the owner-hired sign company. Changes were made to the building that affected the signs. The previous PM neglected to communicate these changes to nearly everyone on the project, including Laci. Thankfully, Laci put a halt to the incorrect signs and worked with Brian to get that portion of the signs back on track, saving the restaurant potentially tens of thousands of dollars had the owner changes to the building and signs not been coordinated. After the project was completed and the store was successfully opened, Brian asked Laci if she’d be open to further communication outside of the project. With nervousness in his voice and his heart racing, thankfully she agreed, and they began talking and texting. For the first time in years, Brian wondered what that strange feeling was in his chest, thinking at first that it was a heart attack or panic attack, turns out, it was the rediscovery of his heart. Laci ignited a spark in Brian during that very first 55-minute phone call that continues to this day. This won’t be a surprise to anyone who knows Laci, but she lights up a room with her personality wherever she goes. And her heart is the first thing that Brian fell in love with, over the phone and in person.

The day finally arrived, it was a Wednesday, moving day. But, what comes before moving day? That’s right, packing day and night and day and night. Even though Laci lived in a one bedroom apartment, we still asked the moving company to stop by to verify that the 10 foot truck we had was going to be sufficient. They took one look at the apartment and said, no way, you’re going to need a bigger truck. So, Brian went to U-haul, after Laci confirmed they had a bigger truck (26 footer), and did the exchange. Brian jumped many curbs while making turns…and that was with an empty truck, on the way back to Laci’s apartment from the U-haul store. And let the loading begin. It seemed like the boxes were multiplying and that there was no end in sight. Yvette and PJ, Laci’s longtime good friends, came over to help and we moved and moved and moved. PJ ran to the store at 2am to get more packing tape, then at 3am, we all finally called it a day and crashed for a few hours. There is no way that we would’ve been able to pack the apartment and leave when we did if it hadn’t been for Yvette and PJ, they were life savers, we love you both so much. At 6am Friday, we were back at it. We planned to start driving to Michigan on Thursday, we actually pulled away Friday afternoon with the truck and an 18 foot trailer that we were reimbursed for if we hauled it to Ohio on our way. What an adventure it was. Brian had never driven a truck that big before and a trailer also. Along the way, we stopped at a Buc-ee’s to fill up with gas and shop. If you’ve never been to a Buc-ee’s store, go. You’ll never experience something like that again, it’s huge. When we came out of the store, we noticed a long line of cars and wondered why there was such a backup. Turns out, the Laci and Brian travel train was blocking the driveway to the gas pumps (26 feet plus 18 feet equals 44 feet) and is just a smidge bigger than a car or SUV. We stopped for the night and Saturday morning, as we were having a leisurely breakfast, we realized, we have a looooong drive ahead of us and the only way we’re going to make it to Michigan to meet Brian’s parents, sister, and the movers to unload, is to drive straight through until Sunday morning. And so we did. We stopped at the Texas/Arkansas border Welcome Center to take pictures and as we were leaving, Laci looked at the Texas sign and said, So long Texas. With tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat, Brian opened the truck door for Laci and they continued on their journey. As Laci crashed in the passenger seat, Brian drove, only stopping for gas, food, and a restroom. After one of the pit stops, Brian could barely keep his eyes open. So the truck and trailer was parked in an empty office parking lot next to the gas station and they slept for a couple hours until nature called and they were on their way again. Sunday morning found us searching for the trailer drop off U-haul store (backing up an 18 foot trailer is so much fun when you’ve never done it before). That task completed, next stop, Michigan. When we pulled into the driveway, Brenda hung a sign on the front window, Welcome Home Laci. Shortly afterwards, the movers, College Hunks (fantastic company and good guys, we highly recommend them) helped us unload and locate boxes to their respective rooms. Laci, of course, was in the truck directing where every box should go. And so, our life continues to be an amazing adventure… in Michigan.

During the trip from San Antonio to Michigan, in order to meet Brian’s Mom, Dad, and sister Sunday morning to unload, we had to drive straight through the night Saturday. Of course, we encountered road construction and a car passing us bumped one of the orange barrels that flew in front of the U-haul truck, which went under the truck. Brian thought that if he kept driving that maybe it would eventually loosen up and dislodged from under the truck. Oh no, it stayed under the truck, and we dragged it for a couple miles. Brian finally pulled over and stopped in a gas station parking lot that was closed, it was about 2am Sunday morning. Crawling under the truck, Brian thought he could dislodge the barrel, but it was as stuck as stuck could be. He drove the front wheels onto a curb to hopefully lift the front end of the truck up enough to pull the barrel out. Didn’t work. As Brian laid on the asphalt parking lot wondering what to do…he prayed (why is this always the last resort), Lord, we need Your help. At that moment, he remembered the pink tool kit that Laci’s Dad gave to her when she was in her teens. This kit was placed in the back of the truck, by the roll up door before the moving trip started. Brian had a sense that this tool kit would be needed during the trip. Brian retrieved the tool kit, opened it up and there it was, The Pink Hammer from her Dad. As Brian beat the barrel into submission with the pink hammer, it finally gave way and collapsed enough for him to drag it out from under the truck. He then lifted the barrel above his head, like a trophy and heaved it into the ditch where it rolled in fear. Brian got back in the truck and looked at Laci, who had a big smile on her face, “My hero”, she said, and they kept driving.

Brian and his sister Brenda looked at many houses with a fantastic realtor, Nicole, interviewed and selected by one of Laci’s best friends, Tiffany. Some houses (if they can be called that) were unfit for any human habitation including one that was a hoarder house with stacks from floor to ceiling with stuff and junk that any collector would reject. Brian finally prayed, Lord, let us know as soon as we step foot into it, that this is the house, we don’t want to settle for just a house, we want it to have character and be very special. (FYI: Brian’s decades old dream was to own a big, old farmhouse that can be renovated room-by-room and restored to its original glory). As soon as Brian stepped into the Dining Room at Moser Place, he got a smile on his face. Wide base board trim, beautiful oak trim around the doors and windows, and two fireplaces. When he walked into the Foyer, he turned to Brenda and she knew, this is the place isn’t it, she said. With a smile a mile wide he said, it sure is. When Laci visited a couple weeks later, Brian was in the basement inspecting the house with a contractor while Laci walked around the first floor. Brian was very nervous because of all the work that needed to be done to the house, and he wasn’t sure what Laci’s reaction would be. She looked around and they met in the Foyer. Well, Brian anxiously asked, what do you think? With an apprehensive smile on his face. Before he could say anything else, Laci immediately said, I love it, I’ve always wanted to live in a house like this. We closed on the house a couple weeks later with our realtor, Nicole, and mortgage broker, Jimmy, by our sides as the paperwork was signed and we became homeowners of 27 Moser Place.

Brian had started demolition and making repairs on the house shortly after closing on the house. Contractors were hired to replace the collapsed sewer line, remove the water heater and replace with a tankless water heater, reconfigure the ductwork and remove the grow rooms plumbing lines. The previous tenants had constructed four pot-growing rooms in the basement with individual environmental controls in each room. Brian spent weeks tearing out these rooms and the lathe and plaster walls and ceilings and looked like a coal miner whenever he reemerged to take a shower after working several hours in the basement. Other renovation projects: Rewiring the house and removing the stacked washer and dryer on the 2nd floor, establishing power and water for laundry room connections in the basement. New handrails on the front and back porches as well as the deck on the 2nd floor. Added oak handrails from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor. Added handrail to the basement. Added vertical wood slats to the front porch (Laci and Brian spent several days staining the slats prior to installing). New storm windows and counterweights for the double-hung wood windows. Refinished the exterior wood doors. Primed most of the 1st and 2nd floor walls (covering over the dark blue, dark red, burnt orange, and orange/black zoo figures in Laci’s office). Built a custom desk for Laci’s office. Removed the ceramic tile in the 2nd floor laundry room, now a storage room. Reclaimed the backyard from years of leaves, pine needles, and overgrowth. Added a fire pit in the backyard. Midway through the renovations, a Mount Clemens Historic Commission member (Nick) interviewed us for an article about new homeowners restoring historic homes. He then encouraged us to seek historic home designation since our home was built in 1907. He helped us gather documentation, filled out the application, and after the commission reviewed our submission, we were granted the designation and received a beautiful bronze plaque which Brian installed on the front of their home the same day. Nick then asked if we would participate in the Mount Clemens Christmas Home Tour, of course we said yes. Hobby Lobby was our new favorite store as several trips and carloads were made with Christmas decorations that adorned the home. Exterior and interior was decorated and over 120 people toured our home and heard the history of our historic residence. There is still much to do, but we’ve made tons of progress. Future renovations: Demo and redo the kitchen. Demo and redo the 2nd floor bathroom. Demo and redo the 1st floor bathroom. Finish painting the interior. Remove aluminum siding and replace with fiber cement siding painted with a neutral color. Replace light fixtures with new chandeliers. Reclaim decking of the front and back porches. Add wider steps from 1st floor, rear deck. Add recessed lighting to porches. Add flagstone patio to backyard. Replace garage door and add opener. Add workshop to basement.

As soon as we walked into Lucido Fine Jewelry and met Joseph (highly recommend him by the way), we knew we’d went to the right jewelry store. With glasses of champagne in hand, we started browsing the jewelry cases. Laci had ideas of the ring she had always dreamt of but kept it to herself. As Brian browsed, he knew what Laci wouldn’t like, but then, it’s like “the ring” was jumping up and down, pick me, pick me (It wasn’t an audible voice, but it was pretty darn close). When Brian pointed to “the ring”, Laci beamed as she said, that’s the one I picked too. If you’ve seen “the ring”, and if you know Laci, “the ring” is exactly like her, shiny, sparkly, and beautiful.

It’s difficult to surprise Laci, but it can be done. Brian’s family is related to the owner of a winery in Northern Michigan, Traverse City, Chateau Chantel (we highly recommend that you visit for a glass of wine, tour, or dinner, you won’t be disappointed). Brian made reservations for a 7-course meal and wine pairing, but how was the proposal going to happen? Brian discussed the plan with a Chateau Chantel coordinator who also arranged for a special window seat and a boutique of flowers for the table. Brian also found a local photographer (Chelsea) who was undercover to supposedly take pictures of the winery, but was actually snapping candid pictures of Laci and Brian. Weeks before the proposal date, Laci had researched wineries in Northern Michigan and had mentioned to Brian that Chateau Chantel is a place that would be fun to visit. On a Saturday morning, we left Mount Clemens for a “weekend getaway” to relax and unwind, Laci had no idea where Brian was taking her other than having a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant Saturday night was on the agenda. They drove to Traverse City and stopped at a nice Mexican restaurant for lunch, then went to a hotel to get ready for the evening. Brian had snuck his suit coat into the car earlier and changed in the hotel pool bathroom. When he went to the room to ask how Laci was doing in her preparations, she was surprised to see Brian dressed to the 9s. Driving to dinner was a very beautiful drive, meandering road, glimpses of Lake Michigan, and the pretty trees. Brian had to tilt the GPS so Laci couldn’t see where they were going, but when they turned into the Chateau Chantel driveway, Laci’s eyes lit up and said, this is on the list for one of the wineries I though we could visit someday. We got a glass of wine and sat on the deck to a beautiful view. We then proceeded on a tour of the vineyards and the cellar where we learned all about the wine making process. They also make some fantastic grape-based vodka which we had a glass of and later bought a bottle. We were escorted to our seat, which was perfect, right by the window and the flowers were beautiful (our table was the only one with flowers). Brian made eye contact with the photographer, who gave him a thumbs up. The hostess made an announcement that a photographer will be taking pictures of the event and to act naturally and that some of the pictures may show up on their website. Each of the food courses were amazing and the wine pairing was so good. One of the courses was a cold melon soup. We looked at each other and thought, yuck, no way. It turned out to be delicious. During the meal, the owner of the winery, Bob, introduced himself to the guests and made his way to our table. Brian told him that his godparents are Jim and Angel Erdman, sister to Bob’s wife Nadine (now in heaven). He lit up and was very happy to meet us and we had a great conversation with him. The plan for the proposal was that right after dessert was served, Brian would propose to Laci. Unbeknownst to Brian, the hostess, Paula, had told several of the guests that a proposal was taking place after dessert. Brian was a little surprised when the guests turned their chairs toward them and the room got very quiet when he stood up to propose. Laci said: I didn’t think I could ever be this happy. Brian said: Well, I’m about to make you happier. The puzzled look on Laci’s face was proof that he had indeed pulled off surprising Laci. When he got down on one knee and pulled the ring box out of his coat pocket, Laci was in tears. When Brian proposed and Laci said yes, the guests, about 40-50 people, erupted with cheers, clapping, and whistles. Brian and Laci, for the rest of the evening, had smiles on their faces. The photographer got great pictures during dinner and continued with pictures outside on the winery grounds.

Praying; Sitting on the front porch; Bonfires; On the couch with Laci’s head on Brian’s lap, Laci sleeping while Brian reads or watches football or basketball; Hanging out at Three Blind Mice, a local Irish Pub, listening to music, eating, and drinking. Breakfasts before work. Dinner after work. Renovating the house (Laci knows how to handle a paint brush). Cooking (Laci does all the hard work while Brian chops the tomatoes and loads the dishwasher). Traveling. Sporting events. Tour wineries and distilleries.