Flash back to the winter/spring of 2006 - We officially met in a bar, but really got to know each other through emails and im'ing. With that, I finally agreed to go out with him on March 17, 2006. We tried a couple of Irish Bars, but ultimately ended up at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritville. We spent the rest of that spring and summer getting to know each other.
However, as most summers end with me, my job was beginning to get really crazy and I just didn't see our relationship going much further. So, I abruptly ended things that July, went off to Salt Lake City in August. Upon my return from Convention, I realized that something was missing and had been missing for a while. I decided to take back my life from my employer and learn to live again.
Sadie then enters the picture and I spend the next few months dealing with the trials and tribulations of new puppies.
And, then I email Nick at Christmas-time...knowing that he would be preparing to go home to New England, but was really wondering how he was and what he was doing. My intentions were innocent - I swear.
So, we spend the next couple of months talking, emailing and getting to know each other again. By the time our schedules corresponded again, St. Patrick's day 2007 was upon us once again. So, our second-first date took place a year to the date of our first. This time something clicked - and clicked pretty quickly.
By the time, July and August had rolled around we had met the parents (mine) and friends (his). As I began to prepare yet another convention adventure, I knew that this one would be different then most. I had two somethings to come home to and to miss while I was gone. Leaving that morning for Reno, was the first time I realized that I couldn't do what I do forever and Nick was not going anywhere.
I went home with him that Christmas and we began making plans to move in together that spring (after yet another crazy event that I was working on). We both knew from that point that we were headed for a lifetime commitment (Sadie agreed as well).
We have had our periods of adjustment (we still are arguing over the size of the kitchen trash can), but realize that we really are meant to be together.
Of course, we had both been questions from everyone - when are you getting engaged, when are you getting married? I learned to ignore them for the most part and knew when the time was right that it would happen.
Which brings me to my birthday this year....
I knew that he was working hard on my gift (after the fantastic 40th birthday party I threw for him...he felt a little pressure) and knew that I love musicals and theatre. He has a love for ABBA, so when he saw that Mamma Mia was playing in Bloomington shortly after another one of my crazy meetings he thought that would be a great gift.
Little did I know, he had much more planned.
March 7 was a very un-March-like day in Indiana, so we dropped the dog at my mother's and headed for Bloomington. We stopped at Oliver Winery, which has been a favorite of both of ours for a while. I told him once that is where I first realized that I loved him. As we finish our tasting and buy a bottle of wine, we headed to the deck to enjoy the fresh air and spring warmth. We finish our glasses and I decide that we need to head a little farther south to eat. Nick asked that we head down to the bridge crossing the little pond....being practical (and protective of my shoes) say that I had three inch heels on and navigating down a hill on soft ground was not something I was willing to do. So, we finally decided on the deck....standing behind me, he whispered, marry me and handed me the ring.
It was perfect - just us and not a lot of fuss. I am not even sure the people who took our picture realized.
and, as St. Patrick's Day 2009 approaches, this is where the rest of our story begins....
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