In the chaos of trying to sell two homes, re-train 2 dogs, and plan a wedding long distance, someone is eventually going to get left out of the loop if we're not careful. The last thing I want to do is start our marriage with hurt feelings for anyone, despite the fact that it will be impossible to make everyone happy. *sigh*
Above and beyond that, I have a whole new family to get to know, and I want them to get to know me, and Chris is in the same situation. It's hard to build those ties long distance, especially with everything else we've got going on; but it's very important to me that we try.
It's hard to believe that it's been almost two months since Chris proposed. How time flies - so much has happened, and yet so little.
Did we ever share the story of our engagement? Chris came into town on the 12th of December. We had hoped to go visit some of our favorite spots from his previous visit. He specifically said that he wanted to go to either Bald River Falls or Fall Creek Falls State Park. We had hoped to go on Saturday, but a combination of a late start, and a sick dog waiting for medication in Chattanooga, screwed that up. Sunday we met with a friend of ours for lunch, and, after discussing the options, we decided to go to Bald River Falls that afternoon. The sun sets early in east TN in December (5:30'ish) and it seemed the better choice.
Chris had been insistent (for him!) that we try to get to one of these places, and though, I have to admit, I hoped I knew what he was up to, I didn't want to get my hopes up. The last time he and I were there, was a good time for us both for several reasons, the most obvious being that, while we were at the base of the falls, we looked up and saw three otters playing in the water, just across the creek from us. It was FABULOUS to be so close and see something so wonderfully happy. There are few things as cheerful as a couple of playful otters.
First we walked over to the falls side of the bridge and took some photos, and then back to the other side and down to the base of the falls where we'd seen the otters. He looked at me and said, "this is your last chance, are you sure you want to do this?"
I said yes, and he got down on his knee, and proposed, and then pulled out a jewelry box that held the prettiest band of rubies and diamonds I'd ever seen. It was the most special moment of my life to date.
Afterwards (when he'd stopped hyperventilating - lol) I discovered that he'd had a panic moment that morning while I was in the shower, because he didn't know which knee he was supposed to go down on, and then he panicked himself several times thinking of all the things that could go wrong. (slip down the embankment, drop the ring, drop the ring in the river...yadda yadda yadda.) Do you think he was *maybe* a little nervous? :-)
It was a beautiful day, that culminated in a gorgeous sunset that evening. We stopped to enjoy it, and then he said something about "do you think I should ask your father?" to which I pulled out my phone, called my folks home # and handed him the phone while it was still ringing.
I guess that was a dirty rotten trick, since he'd just gotten done hyperventilating from the proposal, but I couldn't resist. There was such dead silence on the end of the phone line after Chris told Dad why he'd called that he looked at me with a look of "OMG, now what?" before Dad finally got around to answering him. My understanding of it is that Dad said "well, that sounds like a good idea to me."
So much has happened since then; we've had many discussions re: the location of the wedding, what type of ceremony we want, and what is especially important to each of us about it. I'm sure there will be many more of these conversations in our future - in fact, I'm counting on it.
As things stand right now, our tentative plans are for the wedding to be here in east Tennessee, with a party in Utah once we're settled there, for those who can't make the trip east. There were many factors that went into this decision; and it was a difficult one to make, but for several reasons, I think this was the right decision. This is my home, and, while I'll be creating a new one in Salt Lake City, with Chris, I want to share this state that I've loved for the last 8 years with those I love, one last time. Hopefully it will step up to the plate and provide us with some glorious weather on the "big day".
Other tidbits - our mutual friend, Anastasia has offered to make my gown for me, and I have very gratefully accepted. She is an amazing seamstress/designer and I'll be honored to wear one of her creations. She also adores Chris, and would adopt him as a younger brother in a heartbeat.
Do you want a good laugh? Grab one of the bridal magazines and start reading them. My personal favorite was the runway photos of the cutting edge designs. Have they lost their minds?! When I have more time, I'll see if I can find photos of some of them online and post them here for grins and giggles.
Although our dress will be fairly formal, Chris and I, by nature, are not formal people, so the reception will not be a formal affair. We want, and expect everyone to relax and have a good time. If we get what we want, there will be many smiles, and even more laughter as we all get to celebrate. This will truly be a transcontinental wedding. Chris' family will be the west coast contingent, my mom's family will be coming from the upper east coast, and Dad's family is the best of the deep South. Now that I think about it, there have been very few occasions where both sides of my own family have been at the same place at the same time. This should be FUN!
I wish I could give a date for this to happen. I wish it even more for myself, than anything, but until we get a few more logistical items sorted out, we can't set a date, or officially choose our location. We know in general what we want, and I have a few locations scoped out; but nothing is set in stone.
And now, it is past my bedtime, so I'm going to close this.
PLEASE, I encourage all of you, especially family, to leave feedback and comments here!
Love to all,
Carole
