Engage-a-versary

So many milestones for our family this week, not only is our daughter turning one and we mark another month down on our deployment calendar, but January 5 is the anniversary of our engagement. 

My husband will tell you that I'm really big on memories and marking special occasions. Even ones that others don't find so special. This is definitely one of them. 

Last year, our engage-a-versary (as we so fondly call it) went unnoticed because we had a baby the day before and we were a little preoccupied with bringing her into our home for the first time. 

This year, we are separated and can't really do much to mark the occasion. But I think it's worth noting anyway. I mean, this whole crazy awesome life is what it is today because the cute guy from my Spanish class proposed to me 7 years ago under twinkling lights at Utica Square. 

I kind of knew it was coming that night. Earlier that evening, as we were getting ready, my husband's phone rang while in his pocket. He had his hands covered in hair gel so I reached for it and promptly got swatted away. He looked super pissed and I figured it out quickly and let it go. 

We went out to eat that night with friends from college ( there to document the occasion). One was on crutches at the time. Josh ended up not proposing at the dinner like he originally planned. He and my friends tried their best to throw me off. We left the restaurant and I was more than confused and maybe even a little mad that I might've been mistaken about the whole thing. 

After dinner my friends suggested that we walk to Starbucks for a nightcap. On the way, we stopped by Ann Taylor's (romantic huh?! Haha) and my friend on crutches said he needed a break. It was freezing outside and I was growing impatient. I was so peeved I didn't notice the nervous look on Josh's face nor did I notice that all my friends had their cameras out and pointing at us. Josh simply said "I love you, and I want nothing more in life than to spend it with you. Will you marry me?" 

Of course, I cried and said yes, maybe 15 times. My friends caught pictures and video. I know for a fact my husband would do it differently if he could do it over again. Something more private I think. But I love our story. It always makes me smile at how perfectly imperfect it was. And I think it represents us well. Life never really goes the way we plan and we are more often than not forced to change things at the last minute. And maybe we get frustrated and impatient in those moments. But we love our life and the memories it's given us these last almost 8 years together. I'm just so thankful he picked me. I love this man and loving him has made me the best version of myself possible. I wouldn't change a single thing.