Today is significant because:
a) It's pay day.
b) The January issue of Glamour arrived in the mail.
c) I participated in an all-you-can-eat spinach dip contest.
d) It's exactly five months to the day Luke and I say "I do"
And the answer is... D, for Dammit, It's About Freaking Time!
On the night I returned home from my trip to Minnesota, the Red Sea parted and the angels in Heaven sang a chorus of "Hallelujah" as Luke got on bended knee and asked me to be his wife. With me in sweat pants and a blubbery mess of tears. Then it was Ramen noodle soup and off to bed, because it was eleven o'clock and we were both tired and apparently we now resemble senior citizens who get pooped after a round of Bingo and an episode of Wheel of Fortune.
I have to say, thus far, our journey to the altar has been anything but traditional. The shenanigans began in mid-November, when we started talking about having a May wedding, and wouldn't it be nice to have a May wedding?
Then came the day after Thanksgiving, when the two of us not only picked out my engagement ring, but Luke had "The Talk" with my dad.
Saturday, December 3: Luke picks up the ring, which I refuse to lay eyes on again until it's slipped on my finger. I worry all the good May dates will be taken. We nail the hall for Friday, May 12, 2006, in Merrillville.
Sunday, December 4: Secure the pastor. (Yes, pastor. However, the race isn't over until the Fat Lady baptizes someone. The Catholics still have a chance!)
Monday, December 5: Book a gazebo for the ceremony.
Wednesday, December 7: Officially become engaged (read: I'm finally wearing the ring that keeps me from looking like a fool for making plans without having the goods to back them up).
This weekend was The Telling Of The Families, which means it's now OK to share our happiness with the entire Internet, which I have been dying to do since Black Friday. So now you know why my entries have been somewhat sporadic. Suppressing the information that has just about taken over my entire being was one of the hardest things I've ever done. It was worth it, though, to see everyone's faces when we sprung the news. The scene at my parents' house was like one comprehensive episode of The Brady Bunch, with Marcia and Greg building the house of cards in one corner, Bobby weeping over the disappearance of Tiger in another, and Jan yakking it up with George Glass. I finally shouted, "Everyonebequietwehavesomethingtotellyou!" Then I held up my left hand and cried, "We're engaged!"
Imagine much hugging and crying and the perusing of many, many bridal magazines.
This moment in our lives has been four and a half years in the making, originally conceived one April night when I was brave enough to bounce a check.
We're so happy.
Note: I am fully aware that the publishing date of this entry says Monday, December 12, but that the actual publishing date is Tuesday, December 13. However, if I were to officially acknowledge this by changing the date, my whole quiz gimmick would go to pot and I would have to kill Luke for being too tired to blog and thus foiling our plan to update our blogs within minutes of each other so neither could accuse the other of stealing the wedding thunder. See how well that worked out?
Hey, I did add frozen vegetables to the noodles, so it wasn't just plain old ramen. Plus, we went out for a nice breakfast the next morning.
Posted by: Luke | December 13, 2005 at 01:59 PM
The soon-to-be Mrs.D!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Brooke | December 13, 2005 at 02:17 PM
Congrats!!! I'm very excited for you! Please feel free to share ideas with me. We're getting married in Schererville that September. Again, congrats. :)
Posted by: Mandy | December 13, 2005 at 02:30 PM
Congratulations!!! And spinach dip, of course, had to be mentioned ;)
Posted by: Bearette24 | December 13, 2005 at 03:30 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's so wonderful! And um...excuse me...where is the close-up ring picture! HELLO!!!
Posted by: PaintingChef | December 13, 2005 at 03:55 PM
Congrats!!! There will be a spinach dip bar at the reception, no?
Posted by: Liz | December 13, 2005 at 04:57 PM
Congrats to both of you!! Now LET'S SEE THAT RING. ;)
Posted by: Becky | December 13, 2005 at 05:02 PM
Congratulations on your official engagement!
I'll say prayers for you to Agnes and Anne (patrons of the engaged).
Posted by: Lisa | December 13, 2005 at 05:39 PM
My sincerest plaudits and congrats to both of you.
Boy, this and the mishegoss of the Chrismonewyearukkah combine of responsibilites...you both have incredible fortitude.
Best of luck with the planning stages.
Again, mazel tov.
Posted by: Will Shannon | December 13, 2005 at 06:38 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 13, 2005 at 06:51 PM
Hehe - Liz, my thoughts exactly.
Posted by: Bearette24 | December 13, 2005 at 07:24 PM
The close up picture is on my blog...and I am so happy for you two!!!
Sincerely,
The Proud Matron of Honor
Posted by: Sambo V. | December 13, 2005 at 09:02 PM
Congrats FREMA!!!!!! and LUKE!!! And I got to see The Ring in person.
Posted by: Number Twelve | December 14, 2005 at 04:17 AM
Yea!!!, the blogging world has been waiting for the news. Luckily, there are three blogs that speak about the much anticipated engagement. All of the pictures are great. I know you are having and will have the great life.
Posted by: Mom-in-law-to-be | December 14, 2005 at 10:59 AM
HOORAY!! Just had to say again that we are SOOOO happy for you guys!!
Posted by: The Rays :0) | December 14, 2005 at 01:19 PM
Great news for the both of you.Have fun and enjoy.I can't wait for the food at your wedding.
Lots of love
Posted by: Auntie Betty | December 14, 2005 at 02:16 PM
Congrats to the both of you!!!!
Posted by: John Heneghan | December 14, 2005 at 02:16 PM
I am very happy for you and Uncle Luke. Love Little Matthew
I wuv you Auntie Bre
Posted by: Little Matthew | December 14, 2005 at 02:51 PM
It is a real joy of life to have daughters after all these years. An expanding family is wonderful.
Daddy D.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 14, 2005 at 09:49 PM
God Bless you both
Auntie Ruthie
Posted by: Anonymous | December 15, 2005 at 01:02 AM
You know, you could say that this has been a long time-a-comin, but then Luke would just make fun of you.
Non stop.
Forever.
at random moments bringing it up.
Anyway,
Congradulations.
I, too, feel like I just gained a sister. Although, luke and I aren't related.
Posted by: Tommy | December 15, 2005 at 04:33 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, you messy christmas card giver! ;)
Posted by: Mark | December 15, 2005 at 11:10 PM
Frema congrats and HOLY CRAP are we the same person? My fiance and I have been dating for 4.5 years as well, and we'll be getting married in May (the 27th). Awesome to hear your story!
Posted by: for joke! | December 16, 2005 at 08:34 AM
Oh honey congrats!! You sound so happy, which is just wonderful! :)
Posted by: Kayte Marie | December 16, 2005 at 06:32 PM
I just wanted to make it a even 25 comments for you. Love you and take care.
Posted by: auntie betty | December 17, 2005 at 07:20 PM
Congratulations! How exciting--I wish you and Luke nothing but the best! :)
Posted by: bdogg_mcgee | December 18, 2005 at 04:25 PM
Where are you Frema?
Posted by: Anonymous | December 20, 2005 at 03:27 AM