Nakita Grinie

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.


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.

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!



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.

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.

(just an average day, messing around with poor baby boy)



you know with two PT parents this boy gets his fair share of tummy time and I think he's starting to like it!



and his signature noises are always cute and entertaining (at least to me!)





And the pictures:
1. Love this facial expression


2. So typically Truman


3. Trying to get the rug in the background of this shot lead to a funky neck on baby boy. He didn't seem to mind:)