We're getting married!

Cody and I were Junior High Schoolmates . I knew of him but never would have thought that 10 years later, him and I would be starting the rest of forever together. Despite the fact that Cody had a child from a previous domestic partnership, I decided to take the plunge and see where life would land us. Turns out, I fell for the both of them. We welcomed our first child together in June of 2013 and our second, July of 2014.

After years of baby bottles, first sightings of gray hairs, diaper explosions, and just trials and tribulations of life, we decided to treat ourselves to a little something. A mommy and daddy getaway. So on June 24th 2016, we loaded up our car with luggage, drove to JFK airport and hopped on a flight to Miami. Our first time flying by the way (Cody refused to even look out the window). We arrived in Miami, and the following morning boarded Carnival Glory for a 7 day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. From Miami to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. St Thomas USVI, to San Juan Puerto Rico, and our very last destination, Grand Turk. We stood in line on "Elegant Night" and throughout the length of the cruise for Photos with silly props. Needless to say, they were not as flattering as I had expected them to be. I wanted Memories, something to look back on years down the road. So the night before our last stop, while Cody rested up in our Ocean Suite, I took a walk around the ship and stopped at the Photo Station. I decided that if I wanted memories that would last a lifetime, I would book a private session on the beautiful beach of Grand Turk.

So on June 30th 2016, we disembarked for a few hours to enjoy the very last day of our vacation. Time flew by and before we knew it, we had roughly 30 minutes before we had to meet up with our Photographer Caezar. So to avoid going through the process of embarking and disembarking I suggested that we just head straight over to the beach. Cody had other plans. He was very adamant on heading back to our room, to change and suggested that maybe I would like to touch up my hair or makeup. I thought it was absolutely ridiculous to even do so but he insisted. So as he wished, we headed back up to the 9th floor of the cruise ship, I threw a skirt over my swimsuit and frantically paced back and forth while he got himself together, fearing that if we were even a MINUTE late (we're late to everything) our session may be cancelled. I'll remember for as long as I live, what he said next. "Just relax, it'll be fine. It's going to be a good day. We're going to remember this day for the rest of our lives".

After what seemed like forever, we made our way down to the beach. We began our session in the beautiful sand and then made our way down toward the water, onto a rock overlooking the sea. After a few photos together, Caezar asked that I pose alone while staring out into the Ocean. A minute or so went by and I started wondering how many shots of the same pose he was going to actually get. Then I heard "Go". Naturally, I thought that was the cue for Cody to return to the rock with me so I stood in position. Then I heard it again..."Go Cody"...Then "Ok Monica you can turn around now". Relieved that I could finally do so, I turned around. There he was. Down on one knee. The feeling of shock and excitement at that very moment, is something that can never be put into words. I cried almost immediately, and of course I said YES!