Engagement Bliss

I had no idea what I was in for, the past week as been totes amaze! I have been the center of attention everywhere I go and that's not something I am used to.

After spending Saturday evening at my parents' house, I practically had to carry Jake to the car with his back still acting up.  On the way home, he played songs from his phone in the car - songs he thought would be perfect for our first dance. He's not usually super sentimental but he squeezes it in at all the right moments.

The next morning we took a long walk to The Bagel Factory in Squirrel Hill for breakfast. On the way home I wanted to get my nails done at D&M nails (best place ever) and Jake agreed (somewhat reluctantly) to get a pedi. Crazy, I know!

I doubt he will go back but I think he enjoyed it.

Things got real the second I walked into work on Monday morning. I was greeted with huge smiles, cheers, hugs, cookies, flowers, wine, cards, Amish wedding jelly, balloons, wedding magazines and overall craziness and excitement!

I spent the better half of my morning telling the engagement story details and smiling ear to ear. The Visual Team at AE consists of 4 guys and 30ish girls who are all around my age. As you can imagine the girls take engagements, weddings, babies, birthdays and even the olympics very seriously but I never expected they would make me feel so special.

As the week went on the well wishes and goodies did not slow down.

The Coopers (Jean, Frank, Katie, Mickey and Steve) sent flowers to my house, with a sweet sweet note. Steve called and left me a voicemail, and I just about cried. He welcomed me to the family, wished us luck planning, said the news was very exciting for all of them and was looking forward to Jake's birthday party in a few weeks. Jake's parents, 2 brothers and sister live in Connecticut, within 15 minutes of each other so we don't see them as much as we see my parents. They are wonderful people and I feel so lucky to be part of their family. 

With the Coopers (Frank's side) comes the Hessions (Jean's side), all 200 of them.  OK, not 200 but close. Jean is one of 10 and I have meet all of them plus their significant others, their kids and their kids significant others! Jake and I took our first big trip together to Texas for one of his cousin's (he has almost 25) weddings and it was overwhelming. Overwhelming in a "this is awesome, these people are all so great" kinda way. I felt like I was already part of the family within a few hours. Needless to say the word spread fast in the family and everyone has been texting, calling and facebooking like crazy.

A few weeks ago at a Hession wedding in Iowa Jake and I were told we had the #1 spot in the "next wedding pool."  I guess we won!

Just when I thought it could not get any better my parents and brother came over Thursday for dinner and brought me flowers. It was really special to have Adam on leave from the Navy to celebrate with us. 

To top off the night Jake had the newly published hardcover version of Suri's Burn Book shipped to my house. If you don't know what Suri's Burn Book is check it out immediately.  Allie Hagan (a bolgging genius) posts shots of celebs and their kids then comments on the pics as if she were Suri Cruise. This blog has single handedly brightened my day on numerous occasions. I may be exaggerating ... but seriously, check it out.

Saturday rounded out the first week of our engagement and what better way to spend it than in Ohio with two of my best girlfriends! It was great to be with them and talk about wedding planning. I also got a year subscription to Martha Stewart Weddings... so spoiled!

As far as the planning goes I figured I would hold off and start thinking about it in a few months.

Ha, no. Please, I live to plan and could never sit on something like this for more than a day.

We have the date picked, the venue booked, the photographer booked, colors / theme picked, the invitation suite underway, guest lists just about done, flower vendor picked and so so so many ideas to sift through.

I think for my sanity - or mostly Jake's sanity - there may have to be a few days a week designated as "no wedding plans day."  I'll get a spreadsheet and calendar started for that right now. 

Joke, kinda.