HE PROPOSED!

I haven't added to this blog in a while... but I figured I would be remiss if I didn't include that story here.

Big Dude planned a Surprise Birthday Getaway for the three of us to celebrate my 29th year!

I thought for a moment a few weeks prior that MAAAYYYYBEEE he'd take this opportunity to propose... but then quickly shut that thought down so that I didn't get my hopes up! I wanted to be able to enjoy my weekend--to be present without expectations/disappointments.

On Black Friday afternoon, we piled into the car and set off.  All I knew is that we were staying in New England and it was going to be a looooong drive.

We ended up in Freeport, ME--to check out the L.L. Bean headquarters... We had talked about doing it sometime, so when we were entering Maine, I began guessing... when I got to "L.L. Bean!" his reply was, "What's L.L. Bean?" When we pulled off the highway for Freeport and the signs for L.L. Bean appeared, Big Dude said, "It's a wonder you didn't guess L.L. Bean."

Turd.

We had a marvelous time! Checked out the fishies and the store, then we went outside and saw the Holiday Light Show--set to fun Christmas music. Elijah didn't want to leave so after dinner, we went back for more.

We stayed the night in Brunswick, ME--at the cuuuuutest little hotel--all country-y and decked out for Christmas.

Next morning, we had breakfast, checked out and headed back to check out the rest of the little shops in Freeport. We found Elijah a treasure or two, as well as Christmas presents and stocking stuffers for our mamas. I even nabbed a couple of steals at a consignment shop with some great Small Business Saturday sales!

After some ice cream at Dairy Queen (Big Dude's favorite), we set off for our next stop (still a mystery to me).

Partway there, we stopped at a rest stop and Elijah SCREAMED happy birthday to me a few times in the echo-y eating area. That was sweet.

Then we were back in the car until... LEAKY PEEPEES...

And finallyyyy... Providence, RI.

Providence?? Yes, Providence.

Big Dude pulled the car up to the Omni Hotel. Sayyyy whaaaatttt?? I momentarily thought, ooo maybe he IS proposing tonight... but then bushed that off with, nahhhh, he just wanted to pick something nice for my birthday.

After we checked in, we had some time to kill before our next "event." (Again, I wasn't given any information...other than the fact that I didn't need to change or put on more makeup).  I suggested we walk the bridges like we did on our first Valentine's Day date!

He said, "What bridges?"
I said, "You forgot about the bridges??"
He said, "No, I didn't forget about the bridges. I could never forget about the bridges."

So we walked the bridges... I had no idea that was his plan all along.

("The bridges" = the bridges over the water way that hosts the water-fire thingy in Providence each year).

As we walked, Big Dude told Little Dude the significance behind walking the bridges...

"On our first Valentine's Day date, I took Mommy to Providence for a hockey game."
"And he forgot the tickets!" -- I chimed in...
"So we went for a walk... I was sooooo nervous."
"You were??! Whyyy??" --I interrupted.
"Because it was our first time we were spending a long time together without the little dude."
"Oh that's right! I was a little nervous too!! We weren't sure we were going to like each other without him around!"
"But we did. And now I love Mommy verrrrryyyy much!" He continued, "So... I was very nervous, so I used the bridges as an excuse to kiss Mommy. And now, I'm going to use them as an excuse again... but only if she'll say, 'Yes.'"
:::::What???::::
He put the little dude down, "Will you say yes...," and got down on one knee, "to marrying me?"(while he was doing this, I was saying, "No! No! No!" --in shock...not as a response). "Yes yes yes!!" I said. Giggling with glee!!  He pulled out the ring.
"Holy crap!" I yelled.
"It's fake!" He replied.
:::::I stared::::::
"The ring! You get to pick out what you want."
We kissed and hugged and kissed some more!! I was bouncing. Little Dude began to fuss--standing on a bridge in the drizzling rain....not having any idea what has happening. Big Dude scooped him up and we kissed and hugged as a family.

Then he explained how Elijah was the only one who knew...he even helped him pick it out.

I always thought I would cry... but I didn't. I giggled!! "In my face...for 45 minutes," Mike will add.

I could not stop giggling and bouncing... SO. MUCH. JOY.


Thennnn we went to a hockey game. With a ring on my finger. And smiles all around.

For My Vicarious Sisters...(You know who you are!)

I asked Mike if he'd ask my dad for his permission to propose and this is how it went...

"Probably not." (exactly what I expected)...so I gave him a pout...
Then he explained, "Asking seems like something you do if you care about the answer."
(Such a bearded-man response!)
So I said..."Oh. I think it's a respect thing. My dad would probably appreciate it."
He seemed to change his tune a little and said, "We'll see how it goes then."

I was super afraid to bring it up...but I'm so glad I did!

Then...of course... the silly affirmation sponge that I am had to go and blurt out..."I guess we don't need to worry about it for a couple of years anyways."
And...of course... the darling man gave me what I was fishing for... (which he surprisingly doesn't do very often)..."Not that long baby."

:-) Annnnd butterflies.

He'd Kill Me for Posting This...

Words!! of Affirmation!! Actual Words!!

"You are my everything. You are my dream."

"Babe! You gave me words!"

"Yup. You're welcome"

Acts of Service

Love languages...

Once upon a time, a Mommy and Little Dude spent the night at their Big Dude's house so he could help if the Little Dude decided to have a scream-fest two nights in a row. PTL, he did not...

He did, however, have a major peepee accident...discovered around 5:30 am. So the Little Dude and the Mommy were transplanted to the couch... The Little Dude was not about it...but the Mommy fell back asleep for another two-ish hours...Ooops!

Then...that mommy woke up to a very undeserved treat!!

She opened her blinking eyes to a fully dressed Little Dude, with a Go-gurt in his hands.  She helped him open it and snuggled him while he ate every last drooly bite.  Then, when she was on her way downstairs to get her contact lenses, that incredible Big Dude pulled her to the dining room table... where there was a plate of delicious eggs, bacon & potatoes all scrambled together...and a biiiiig cup of coffee...just waiting...so beautifully...

"I LOVE YOU!" squealed the Mommy, as she wrapped her arms around the furry Big Dude's neck.
"I love YOU," the Big Dude replied.
"I can see that!" said the Mommy...as she sat down to her lovely and delicious breakfast.

:o)

Not only did the Big Dude take care of the Little Dude all morning...(after getting the least amount of sleep of any of us...). He also found it in his heart to make us all a fantastic breakfast to enjoy together at the table.

<3 <3 <3

Everything

Me: What do you love about me?

Him: Everything

Me: Now that's not true...

Him: At the end of the day, it is.

Anniversary Date

Saturday morning, all three of us went out for an anniversary breakfast. 

Saturday night, just the adults went out... :-)

We pull into the Home Depot parking lot and I have no idea what's happening... I had already guessed dinner at Tilted Kilt & Taco Bell. 

"Oh ye of little faith," he said. "We, my dear, are recreating some of our first dates."

"What?! I love that!!" I said.

"Now, let's go buy some chains."

Chains at Home Depot. Laser Rifle Range at Cabela's (in lieu of the range at Bass Pro). Dinner at  Chili's. And duck pin bowling at Fun Squared on the turnpike. .... AND I gave him a run for his money at bowling...even beat him once. BAM.