An Engagement Story

I’m warning you now…this blog is about to be taken over by wedding posts. I realized earlier this week while watching the Bachelorette finale that I haven’t told you all about The Boy’s proposal yet…so here we go!

We had planned a family cookout for the last weekend in June. My mom had met Justin’s parents but we hadn't officially introduced our families yet and knew we wanted to make that happen. Justin and I were both in town that weekend and my brother and his girlfriend were in from Florida that weekend too – so it was perfect timing. We invited my sister and her husband and Justin’s sister and her boyfriend to get the entire crew together.

After spending all morning setting up lawn games, tables, and chairs I was inclined to stay in my running clothes for the cookout. My mom had to convince me to get dressed and ‘do something with my hair’ (sometimes I have no control…only curly haired people can understand). This should have been my first hint.

I was carrying around my mom’s iPad while we were setting up the croquet course per the United State Croquet Association rules (we’re very official when it comes to lawn games). My mom kept grabbing the iPad away from me every time I picked it up. I thought that she was scared I would drop in and break it. Hint #2 that I did not pick up on (the iPad had a picture of my ring on it!).

We played croquet & corn hole and ate a ridiculous amount of food. My third hint should have been the fact that both my mom and Justin’s mom had their cameras glued to their hands the entire afternoon. I just assumed they liked taking pictures of me :) Right before we got to dessert Justin tapped my arm and told me he wanted to ask me a question.

I have to sidebar real quick and tell you another story. For the past month or so, every time Justin and I were out and about, we would have this conversation:Justin: This is fun. We should get engaged. Kim: Ok.
Justin: When do you want me to ask you? Kim: Today. Justin: Nope, I can’t ask you today. Kim: Okaaaaay.

Back to my story: Justin pulled me to the side and he said, “This is fun. Do you want to get engaged today?” I said, “WHAT?!” and apparently “stiffened up like a 2x4” according to Justin. He likes telling this part because he said he literally had to drag me into the yard so that he could get down on one knee :)

And that’s exactly what he did. He got down on one knee in my parent’s backyard in front of both of our families and asked my to marry him. He had a speech…and says he nailed about 90% of it. I’m glad we have it on video because I barely heard a word he was saying. My thoughts were something like this the entire time, “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. This is happening. What’s he saying? I should listen. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh!!”

Then he pulled out the most amazing, beautiful, special ring I have ever seen and asked me to be his wife. It was the easiest question I've ever answered :) The day was even more special than I ever could have imagined since we got to share it with the people we love the most. We have tons of pictures…and the video that I mentioned earlier. We were so caught up in the day that we forgot to watch the video before his parents left to go home. We’re visiting them this weekend and I am excited to watch the video and relive one of the best moments of my life.

Engaged/Married People: What is your favorite proposal/wedding planning memory?

Does anyone have any planning tips or suggestions that I should keep in mind?

Does anyone else still play croquet?