April 25, 2011

Evening Update

It's hard to believe that it's been over a month since I was last here. So much for my Lent resolutions, huh? So much changes in a month. I've meant to come and write, and I've actually even opened the program and started working on some things never to quite get anything done. So tonight, instead of reviewing a KTIP binder, I'm here writing. Even though no one actually comes here to read anymore because I don't update it that often, I'm going to post here.

The big news is that the PA proposed to me on April 7. I asked him if we could go tot he beach for my spring break. I wanted to sit in the sun and play in the water. Because he's a beachy kind of guy, he was all for it and even suggested that we camp on the beach. Unfortunately on the Gulf Coast, camping on the beach isn't possible. We did, however, find a place to camp that was very nearly on the beach. I imagine that we'll camp there again in the future.

We found a spot at Fort Pickens in the Gulf Island National Seashore. Our site was literally less than a quarter of a mile away from the beach. We just had to cross the road and walk maybe 100 yards to be right there. The site was fairly secluded, even though it was near to everything, and it had both electric and water. The tent could be set back off the pad so it was nice and quiet for us.

It wasn't the best day to be on the beach. As we got close to Mobile, the skies got cloudier. When we got to the beach, it was overcast and windy. I was afraid that our tent would blow away (it didn't), and it was a little chilly with the wind. We braved the water but not for very long at a time. We downed margaritas, though, and with a pleasant enough buzz, the chill didn't matter a lot. After all, we were on the beach. A bad day at the beach is almost always better than anywhere else you can go.

Once the the margaritas were gone, we packed up and headed back to our campsite to start dinner. We'd picked dup some yummy steaks at the Little Butcher Shop as well as some crawfish stuffed potatoes. Matt did those on his grill and we enjoyed our dinner over a game of Scrabble. After we'd gotten everything cleaned up, he asked me if I wanted to go for a walk on the beach.

It wound up being a lovely evening. The clouds blew off and the stars were out. A tiny sliver of a moon in the sky ...a smiley face moon, according to the PA. We played with the sand crabs, making them skitter across the beach and back into the water. I should have known that something was up, but I was clueless. We wandered about a quarter of a mile down the beach, and I was ahead of him. Looking at the lighthouse across the backbay.

He said, "Don't you think this is a romantic spot?" I was focused on the lighthouse, and when I turned around to say yes, he was down on one knee. As best I remember, he said, "Jennifer Lynn Alex, will you be my bride? Some day? I promise I can make you happy and I'll take care of you." I didn't cry then, but thinking about it now, it makes me tear up. I think maybe I was too shocked to cry at the time. I knew that we were headed for marriage, but I guess I didn't expect him to propose until I was home and things were more settled. So I wasn't ready and I was caught off guard, but I said yes.

Kisses and hugs and then back across the beach to the campsite to let people know.

He didn't get me a ring, and that's OK with me. He said he'd asked his mother for her engagement ring but he decided it was too small and I wouldn't like it. That's not true, though because the size doesn't matter. I appreciate the sentiment that lives in those pieces of metal...what they represent. Sometimes when people ask to see my ring there's a little pang. People expect that when you get engaged there's going to at least be a little ring. It's like people think less of him because there isn't one, but the truth of the matter is that it would have been silly for him to buy me a ring. I have both sets of my grandmothers' rings. I'm going to wear those. One on my right hand, one on my left hand. Getting a ring would have incurred debt that wasn't necessary. And people understand that when it gets explained, but it has to be explained. He did say to me that he's going to get me a kickass wedding band...something we can pass down to our children if they want it. A diamond band...just small ones...would be fine with me. He could get me a statement ring somewhere down the road, and I would be happy with it. Maybe something with a big pearl. In an art-deco setting. Maybe.

We are now fully engaged in wedding planning which is to be honest a little stressful. There are so many things to think about. So many things to remember. Mom and I are paying for it. She's making the dress. To save money, almost everything is going to be DIY. I think that everything we have planned is doable because the wedding date isn't until April 21, 2012. That's enough time for mom to make the dress, for me to cook the food, for us to collect everything we'll need. The wedding is going to be at Gumbo Acres, and the biggest expense is going to be the tent and the food. I'm hoping that because the food will be purchased as I need it and make it, that expense won't seem too great as it's happening.

It's going to be a big wedding, which I never in my life thought I'd have. The problem is that I've waited so long to have a wedding, which means that my small group of friends and family has expanded. And those people have spouses and children, which means more people. Matt knows so many people that it's going to be difficult for him to limit his list to 100 people. Criminy. It's a lot. But it's going to be OK.

I find myself getting emotional about this whole thing. I read blogs on the internet about weddings and saving money, and I get misty. It's a strange thing. The more that I get into it, the more I realize how much I love him and what a wonderful thing this is going to be.

I'll keep you all posted on the progress of this whole thing.