Showing posts with label Story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Story. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Story of Us part 3
We met each other in 2002. It was hilarious.
First came LOVE.
Then came the proposal. Here is the story of how I got my freaking ring.
~Julia almost gets the ring thrown in her face~
After dating for nearly four years you can't blame me for getting a little antsy. I took my anticipation up a notch around Christmas of 2005. I did NOT get my ring, nor did I fully expect it, but I remember Nate's cousins calling to ask if I was going to get any shiny new gifts on Christmas. Hmmmm, so if his family was thinking of an engagement surely Nate was, too.
By February we decided to take the plunge: we went ring shopping together. If you've never had the pleasure of shopping for your own engagement ring let me just tell you---it's freaking nerve wracking! We were both SO nervous as we walked into the jewelry store we nearly peed ourselves. When the salesman asked, "How can I help you two?" I think Nate went through puberty again because his voice cracked, "Um......uh.....we need to look at engagement rings." It was squeezable:)
We looked at a lot but I found my absolute favorite: princess cut stone with tiny baguettes on either side. Sort of like a solitaire but not quite. Loved it. I made to sure reiterate that fact about 600 times on the way back home. Nate said, "If I just get you the one you like then it won't be special. So maybe I'll just pick one out that is similar to your favorite." Not that I don't trust Nate's sense of style---because I do, he's one of the most metrosexual stylish men out there---but I wanted that particular ring so bad I could taste it. I tried to play it cool and act like I'd be happy with whatever he chose [while secretly sending subliminal messages to him to pick the right one!]
Weeks passed and nothing. Valentines day was rapidly approaching. He even insisted on taking me to The Tap Room, where we had our first date. I admit I was pretty disappointed when my left hand remained bare that night. More weeks passed. Still nothing. I started to get a little whiny: "Don't you want to marry me?" Ugh. I hated myself for being such a brat about it but I couldn't stop. Nate remained calm and probably bit his tongue each time I went on my tirades. One night he snapped and said, "Julia, do you want me to just throw the ring at your head or what? Be patient!" Ooooooh, the 'p' word and me are not good buddies. But I tried to shut up for awhile.
Then came Sunday, March 26, 2006. I was passed out asleep in bed [probably drooling and sweating, too.] Nate got up to take Henry outside which I thought was kind of odd, since that was traditionally my job at the time. I heard Henry's little footsteps coming my way and then he eagerly jumped up on my bed and sat down like a good boy. He stared at me proudly like he had a secret to share. I noticed the pink ribbon around his neck first, then the pink gerbera daisy and pink rose all tied together. Henry had a pink floral party on his neck and it was too cute. Nate walked into the room and I said, "Thanks for the flowers." I wasn't suspicious yet because I was still half asleep. But then Nate said,"Keep looking," and my eyes popped open with fury. I knew.I looked under Henry's little chin and tied to the pink ribbon was my beloved ring. Henry stood amazingly still as I untied the ribbon from his neck. At this point I think Nate started his speech but all I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears. My upper lip definitely started to sweat and my hands began to shake. I became a broken record and asked, "Are you serious?" so much that Nate replied, "Yeah, I'm serious. Is that okay?" We hugged, kissed, and the world stopped spinning for just a moment. It was the second happiest day of my life. I discovered that Nate purchased the ring over a month ago and carried it around in his backpack that whole time. He was waiting to ask my Dad for permission and wasn't sure if we'd see him in person anytime soon. Of course I felt like the biggest jerk on the planet for being Princess Whines-a-Lot but Nate didn't rub it in too much.
We were so wrapped up in our little moment that we didn't notice our puppy wandering off into another room. I suppose Henry was pretty excited, too, because he dropped a nice deuce on the carpet for us. It was his celebratory poop:) At least I got to clean it up while staring at my bling.So yes, I got my ring. And immediately began planning our wedding. It's hard to believe that was over two years ago but I suppose time flies when you're having fun.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
An Un Valentines Day Engagement Story
Growing up, I was never a fan of Valentine's Day.
{This probably had to do with the fact that I never had a boyfriend when Valentine's Day rolled around}I had a couple boyfriends before I dated Kevin, but we had either broken up before Valentine's Day or didn't start dating until after Valentine's Day.
Kevin and I started officially dating in September 2001.
We had been hanging out all summer (I had graduated from college in May 2001)
We both grew up in the same town, but he was a few years older.
We went to the same high school & same youth group, but because he was older we didn't know each other. He actually was friends with my older sister & they went to the same college.
When I was in high school Kevin was a camp counselor at the houseboating camp our youth group went to every summer. (He was never my camp counselor). One of my best friends (Sue) and I would always pull pranks on Kevin's best friend Brian. During the summer of 1995, I developed a crush on Kevin & told Sue that I was going to marry Kevin one day.
Little did I know that would actually happen!
But, from the summer of 1995 until the summer of 2001, Kevin and I's path didn't cross.
He was at college & then I went off to college in Colorado.
I saw him briefly one night during Christmas break of 1998 when my older sister had a game night at my parents house.
I always thought Kevin didn't like me because let's face it, I'm loud, have a lot of energy & I talk a lot. And, the fact that I pulled a bunch of pranks on his best friend didn't help my cause.
Fast forward to July of 2001. I had just broken up with a guy I dated my last few months of college. Kevin's girlfriend of 3.5 years had broken up with him (on his birthday!)
I graduated from college in May & was home for the summer.
I had plans to move back to Colorado in the fall & do an internship with a youth group at a church in Boulder that I had volunteered with.
That summer of 2001 was life changing to say the least.
Our friends Reid & Kelly were getting married & Kevin was the best man. None of my friends were home that summer, they were either traveling or still at college. So, I just started hanging out with Reid, Kelly, Kevin & Elyse.
Kevin & I developed a great friendship that summer. We had SO much in common, we just clicked. I had NO intention of dating him because he was and I quote "damaged goods".
We started going on runs after work that summer. We would run for 1.5-2 hours and just talk.
I started getting feelings for him but was weary because I was moving back to Colorado...or so I thought. The assistant youth director job at our church opened up & I decided to apply. I had to let the church in Colorado know that they might need to find another intern & if it was okay with them if I applied for this full time job. With their blessing, I applied. And, I got it. (I worked there for 2 years (and got my California teaching credential simultaneously and then started teaching Middle School math in 2004.)
So, now that I was staying in California, Kevin and I had a DTR (define the relationship) on 9.9.01
The talk needed to happen since we hung out ALL the time. The DTR went well and we were dating. Our relationship progressed quickly & by December we were talking marriage. I was 22 & he was 26, but we both just "knew".
In January, Kevin started house hunting & wanted to buy a condo. He would take me along to look at the houses he was looking at to make sure I liked them & that I approved. The first week of February 2002, I was in a college friend's wedding in Colorado and Kevin came with me to meet all my college friends. We went for a week & the last day of our trip, he told me, "Wow. I haven't gotten sick of you yet". I told him I hadn't gotten sick of him either. Haha!
Little did I know, the day after we got back from Colorado, Kevin went ring shopping.
We also looked at a few more condos. The week of Valentine's Day was approaching. On Monday the 11th, Kevin put an offer on a condo. On Wednesday, they counter-offered him & then he counter offered later that night.
Thursday was Valentine's Day. Both Kevin and I were not big fans of Valentine's Day.
(side note: I was NOT expecting a ring for Valentine's Day)
We made simple plans to go to dinner at a local Italian place.
We made it clear that we wouldn't give presents on Valentine's Day. We exchanged cards.
It was simple. Just like us.
The next day, February 15th was a normal Friday. We had plans to head up to Tahoe for President's Day weekend with Brian & Angie & Kevin's sister and her family. We weren't leaving until Friday night after work. Kevin called me that afternoon & said he was getting off work early & that we should go on a run before we head up to Tahoe. I thought nothing of it because we usually went running 3-4 times a week after work.
I was living at my parents house, so he met me there at 3:30. We went on one of our normal routes, but then Kevin suggested we go "off trail" and run up in the hills.
We got to the top of the hill & it overlooked the entire valley that we live in. It was beautiful, all the hills were green. I told Kevin that we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area.
At that moment, he got down on his knee (I thought he was tying his shoe)
Then he grabbed my hand & looked at me all serious.
I thought he was joking. I pulled my hand away & told him to stop joking around.
He grabbed my hand again & told me he was serious.
I was SHOCKED. He told me a bunch of nice stuff (I wasn't listening because I was just in shock that he was proposing. And he was proposing while we were on a run!
The whole time he was talking I kept wondering where the ring was. haha!
Finally, he pulled it out of his pocket. (He sewed the ring into his so it didn't fall out when he was running. Apparently, he sewed it a little too well & had a hard time ripping it out of his pocket!)
Of course I said yes & was shaking! We ran straight back to my parents house & my little sister Rebecca was there. Boy was she shocked when she saw the ring!
15 minutes after we got back to my parent's house, Kevin's cell phone rang. The offer on the house was accepted. So, not only did we get engaged, but we bought a house!
(I didn't move in until AFTER we were married)
February 15th is a special day for us!
Since we didn't have a camera took take a picture on our run (and we were both sweaty & in running gear), we went back a week later to take a picture of the spot where we got engaged (in normal clothes):
And, 6 months later on August 24, 2002, we were married!
(More wedding pictures on THIS post)People always think it is funny that we got engaged the day AFTER Valentine's Day.
I think it is awesome!
So, every year, we DON'T celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th.
Instead, we celebrate on February 15th & go out to dinner then because this day has more meaning to us!
And, you NEVER have to make a reservation for dinner on February 15th, restaurants are always pretty empty the day after Valentine's Day.
No pre-fix menu, no increased dinner prices, no crowds.
I think Kevin is a GENIUS for proposing on February 15th.
Happy Un-Valentine's Day, Kevin.
I love you & I am so glad I said "yes" to you 8 years ago!
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Story of Us part 2
First came LOVE. Here is our version peppered with non-wedding pictures through the years. My days as the 'girl with a camera' certainly paid off!
~The infamous L-bomb incident~
So Nate and I started to officially 'date' in July 2002, as the first post in this series mentioned. I was reluctant to start a relationship with Nate because I knew he was studying abroad in Spain that fall semester. I had the privilege of studying at SLU's Madrid campus in the Spring of 2000 and I was well aware of the debauchery to ensue. Serious relationships spanning two continents aren't exactly easy.
But despite my tough exterior I was falling for this frat boy. We talked on the phone the entire semester. My parents have the ridiculous phone bills to prove our budding relationship talks:) I vaguely remember staying up until the wee hours of the morning to talk to 'my boyfriend in Spain' and I couldn't help but smile every time my phone rang.
I decided it was necessary to make a trip to Spain. Not just to relive my glory days abroad but to see Nate. I told my girlfriends that it was time: if Nate didn't tell me he loved me during this visit, then I was going to say it first. Big deal, folks. Very big deal. My friends and I decided that we needed a code word so when L-bomb was dropped, they could be informed without ruining the moment. I didn't want to be 'that girl' calling up her girlfriends in the middle of a special moment to say, "OMG he TOTALLY loves me!" So we made the most logical choice and announced that "Bombs over Baghdad" would be our code phrase. What? Outkast rules.
[2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Mardi Gras St. Louis. Then we got too old to hang]My return trip to Madrid was absolutely heavenly. I think I could return to that city a million times and it will never lose it's magic. Our first night out Nate and I got into a deep conversation. He leaned into my ear and said, "I love you." I pulled away and said, "I love you too, and I was going to say it if you didn't." I hesitated for a split second then spilled the beans: "I have to call my friends and say 'Bombs over Baghdad' because you officially dropped the L-bomb. It was supposed to be a code phrase but I'm way too excited right now and I can't stop talking, and OMG you totally love me." Sigh. What a special moment complete with Outkast lyrics and Europeans.
[so many weddings, so little time]Do you remember which one of you dropped the L-bomb first? Was it eventful? Full of code words? :)
Monday, September 26, 2016
bradys birth story part II
our hospital stay is always enjoyable- the most amazing nurses and staff that take care of us and this time around we were blessed with some of the same nurses and techs that took care of us the first time around with the twins. the first couple days after delivery went by so quickly and I didn't take a ton of pictures of our newest and sweetest baby boy really until day three.
I had started to feel better, my milk came in, and baby Brady was just along for the ride.
he had swallowed a bit of amniotic fluid at birth (which is very common in c-sections, although I had never experienced it) and was a little stuffy and snorted like a baby piglet for a couple days until all that resolved itself. thankfully it didn't affect his suck/swallow/breathe abilities so we weren't too worried about the fact that he was having a little trouble breathing through his nose.
he did show some signs of reflux here and there, so we were keeping a close eye on him.
since we have been home he hasn't shown any signs of reflux, so we (along with his pediatrician) think that it was directly related to the extra fluid.
the days were filled with my OB and his on-call pediatrician visiting first thing in the morning.. nurse check-in's throughout the day, grey's anatomy reruns and fixer upper, and walking laps around the unit in between cat naps with a baby on my chest.
eat. sleep. repeat.
my sweet little squishy!! from the hospital bed to the chair.. I was making progress, people!
I cant get enough of that hair!!
PLUS it was also the best to watch Grayson with baby Brady
heart eyes!
(his big bro status changes in just a few short months)
where did our babies go!
Brady's Nana (my mom)
BB + Papa (Jordan's mom and dad)
I was sad we missed snapping a picture of a few folks that came by but so thankful they were able to come and get a peek of Brady before we went home!
we were so ready to get home to those three girls with our baby boy.
exhibit A:
she's been amazing with him.
our big girls continue to impress me on a regular basis and LOVE Brady fiercely! they get so excited when he's awake, which happens about an hour or so everyday.
"can I see him with his eyes open!?"
I cannot believe how well they have taken to having a baby in the house. Baker adores him and is so interested in being near him anytime she can. I share with them a tremendous amount of interaction with Brady, keeping them involved, which I think has helped. the first (or second? I'm losing track of time..) night we were home Baker was climbing all over my back while I sat on the floor doing puzzles and I told her about 'mommy's boo-boo' and that it hurts when she climbs on me that way.. she trotted off and came back dragging her Doc McStuffin's crash cart and proceeded to check me out.
"can I see him with his eyes open!?"
I cannot believe how well they have taken to having a baby in the house. Baker adores him and is so interested in being near him anytime she can. I share with them a tremendous amount of interaction with Brady, keeping them involved, which I think has helped. the first (or second? I'm losing track of time..) night we were home Baker was climbing all over my back while I sat on the floor doing puzzles and I told her about 'mommy's boo-boo' and that it hurts when she climbs on me that way.. she trotted off and came back dragging her Doc McStuffin's crash cart and proceeded to check me out.
oh Baker girl. you continue to make life fun.. and I am so excited for your big sister status.
we are a family of SIX.
I couldn't feel more blessed.
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