Ryan and Me: Chapter Sixteen

Editor's Note: Some of this story has already been told on my birthday post but I'm telling it again for context.

THE PROPOSAL

It happened on October 14, 2011. Ryan and I had just spent an amazing day together. We took the day off work and he took me to Tucanos for my birthday lunch. We both ate way too much food but that still didn't seem to stop us from eating more! After lunch we went to the temple then went and played a round of mini golf before running a few other errands. By the time we got back to his house it was 5pm and I was feeling rather yucky. My stomach has issues and it started to really act up (that's what I get for eating too much at lunch). I layed down with the heating pad to watch some TV and just relax and then a couple hours later Ryan came over and knelt down on the floor by me. He had this look on his face that looked like he was really worried about me and so I tried to tell him not to worry. I told him that my stomach just acts up sometimes and it's something I've been dealing with for several years. He just looked at me and said "I want to take care of you the rest of my life." And then he said,

"So, will you marry me?" and he popped open the ring box.

I was totally caught off guard. I glanced at the ring, then looked at him and said

"Are you really asking me this right now?"

"Yes" was his reply.

"Okay, then yes! I will marry you!"

It may not have been a Hollywood proposal, but truthfully, our life together has never been a fairy tale and because of that I never wanted the engagement to be either. I didn't want him to plan something super extravagant. I knew that if he did something out of the ordinary, I would know exactly what he was planning. The best way to catch me off guard was, in my opinion, to propose in our natural environment and that's exactly what he did.

Even though we had gone ring shopping together and I knew that at some point he planned to propose, I still didn't know when to expect it and I certainly wasn't expecting it that night while I was laying there feeling sick. It was such a surprise! And for me it was also the perfect way to start this new chapter in our lives.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Holy toledo. I can't believe that I have hit another birthday. This one is the big 3-4. I probably shouldn't announce that, but I don't really care. To me age is just another number. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed by how old I am. I don't feel 34. I still feel like I am in my 20's but probably because I still act like I am in my 20's. :)

I have officially decided that I love having my birthday on a weekend because I get to celebrate all weekend! And it was such a great weekend too! Ryan and I both took Friday off work. I relaxed most of the morning and then he took me to Tucanos for lunch. I love that place! After lunch we went to the temple and then we went and played a round of mini golf. After that we ran a few errands before finally heading back to his place and settling in for the evening.

On Saturday two of my sisters ran a half marathon so Ryan and I along with my parents, another sister and three of her kids went out to cheer them on. That took most of the morning. Then I ran a few errands with Ryan, went out to my birthday dinner at Sweet Tomatoes with my parents in the evening, and then went back to Ryan's where he had baked me a fabulous birthday cake! It was his first time baking a cake and I think he did an amazing job. He certainly spoils me!


Sunday (today) was my actual birthday. I spent the morning relaxing at home then I went to church. After church I went to Ryan's for dinner and to open some more great gifts he got me. Then we headed to my parent's where we had a big birthday party for me and my brother (his birthday is on Thursday). I love my family so much and I really appreciate that they still make the effort to celebrate each other's birthdays. They always make me feel special at least once a year. :)

I would have to say that based on all that alone, this was the best birthday (and best birthday weekend) a girl could ask for. But this year was even more special for me because I also got this:


Happy birthday to me! :)