When?? Where??

When

So I just wanted to record some of my initial thoughts about this, considering the most frequent question I receive is "when is the big day?!" Well, for now its just an open-ended engagement, but I am guessing that Fall 2011 is the likely time, considering I will be done with undergraduate school then and either off to work or at med school! Ideally, I had wanted to work a year after undergrad and then get married and then go to med school (just so my parents wouldn't have to shell out all the dough for my wedding) but I suppose a loan will be fine.

Where

I have always wanted one of those cute little country style weddings, out on a plantation-like place or something like that. So, surprisingly, that makes Charlottesville a great destination! Plus it's east coast, 2 hours away from my family and 8 hours away from Jon's. So not too too horrible. As for specific destinations, I was thinking along the lines of Boars Head Inn or Keswick.

Boar's Head Inn

Keswick Hall Inn

Step One: Engagement

As of November 26th, 2009 (Thanksgiving), Jon and I are engaged! I knew it was coming, but I had no idea when. Jon has always been a family man though, and both our parents were at my house for Thanksgiving. While I've always dreamt of an illustrious proposal story, I suppose this one is more relevant to Jon and I's relationship. We were walking in the mist with my two dogs, Skip and Baby, when Jon came in close for a hug--forgetting about the box in his pocket (which I obviously felt!). He pulled away and started talking all sappy, unfortunately my mind was a little distracted because I knew what was happening so I don't really remember much. All of a sudden he got down on one knee--and tried to put the ring on my right hand! So unfortunately my immediate reply to "Will you marry me?" was "wrong hand!!" (which was, of course, quickly followed by a "yes!"). I received so many well wishes on facebook, it was so nice. We also took some really cute pictures afterwards, some of which are below. While it is an open engagement, I am thinking Fall 2011. I had originally wanted to work for a year after undergrad and then have my wedding and then start med school (ideally), because I wanted to be able to pay for a really extravagant wedding without having to put it all on my parents. I was watching Brothers and Sisters tonight--they mentioned that the groom's parents are responsible for flowers, photographers, and something else, ah--I just forgot! Anyways, this is all sort of weird... nothing is different about our relationship, but yet everything is different. The inherent property of a title to change outside perception is the main difference, I guess. While Jon and I knew we were going to be together forever, others didn't. I was often approached about my inability to "get out there" and "experience others" but after countless nights of friends coming home crying about that douche-y frat guy, I knew I wasn't interested. What they didn't know was that I picked right the first time.

The ring and the super cute box + pic Jon gave it to me in!