Where it All Began

It's time! I have been playing with the idea of writing a blog for a few years now, but I have never gotten around to it. I read tons of blogs about art, food, crafts, weddings, parties, gardens, friends lives, Suri Cruise, photography, and even yard sales.

I love to hear and see what others around Pittsburgh and the globe are doing. I may be very nosey, but I prefer to think of it as learning new things, following trends, and getting ideas for my house or a party. However, I love the real stories and honest emotions in blogs - the down and dirty truth!

If you've met me, you know I think fiction is for the birds ... with the exception of the 50 Shades and Hunger Games books (I'm a sucker for a trilogy).  Primarily, though, I'm a fan of non-ficition; I find comfort in real life situations and knowing that I am not alone when I feel a certain way.

My main motivation for blogging is to have record of everything Jake and I experience together. Life moves too fast, so I want our memories to be documented - to look back 30 years from now and reminisce.

If I can inspire or comfort someone by blogging about our life experiences then that is a bonus. Plus, we have so many friends and relatives across the country this will keep you all up to date.

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Let's get this thing started!



Jake and I are going to dual blog ... or at least try.  I cannot promise we will blog every week, but we are going to do our best to get some stories and shared experiences up on a regular basis.  First, here is a little bit about us ...

Jake: an oncologist / hematologist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, loves movies more than anyone I know, loves Batman, wears bow ties, is originally from Connecticut, went to Notre Dame and University of Connecticut, is beyond smart, would do anything for anyone and does everything for me.

Erin: Manager of Visual Production at American Eagle Outfitters, loves the Amish more than anyone I know, loves to bake, wears jeans everyday, is originally from Pittsburgh, hates math, says what she thinks, can't wait to spend forever with Jake.

The Proposal:


As of August 18th 2012 we are officially spending the rest of our lives together! 

Jake and I had plans for dinner at Salt of the Earth on the 18th, he surprised me with the plans earlier in the week and I suspected nothing. He had been throwing me off for a few weeks, asking about my work schedule in September and how many personal days I had left in 2012. In my mind we were close but I never expected it this summer.

Jake got to my house just as I finished a run in Schenley Park, around 2. I was sitting on my front porch reading a magazine as he 'old man walked' up my stairs. He had pulled a muscle in his back two days earlier, I felt bad but was cracking up as he waddled over and kissed me. Just a typical afternoon up until this point. He went into the house and a few minutes later came out, walked right over to me, got down on one knee, grabbed something in his cargo shorts pocket and began talking to me. It gets a bit fuzzy here for both of us but we think he said 'You know how the other day we were talking about what a perfect match we are? Well, we really are, I love you, will you marry me?' He opened the box and I honestly have no recollection of what my ring looked like or what I said. I immediately began to cry with my face in my hands. I said yes, and cried some more. 


We spent about 10 minutes on the porch as a newly engaged couple. Then technology called and we began frantically calling, texting, tweeting and facebooking our news.

I called my parents first, they were in the parking lost of Cabellas and ecstatic. Jake and my dad had gone to the movies about a month ago and Jake asked me dad for permission... therefore my mom knew it was coming. He called his parents next, Jakes mom 'had a bottle of wine chilling for this day' so she was going to break that open after we got off the phone. We text my brother, his brothers and his sister. I called my grandparents and great aunt. I talked to two of my closest friends immediately, one of which was celebrating her 30th birthday that day and said 'this is an awesome birthday present!'.


We both sent mass texts to our closest friends and spent the remainder of the day and evening receiving responses and calls that made us laugh, cry and feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.

After the news hit the web we took off for dinner and then my parents house to celebrate. It was hands down the best day of my life, to date.

The Ring:

From Frost & Company, The Cark Building in downtown Pittsburgh, It's amazing, everything I have ever wanted and more! I'm dying right now because they had incorrectly sized it so I had to take it back. It will only be gone for 2 days and it's only a symbol of our engagement but you cannot give a diamond to a girl and take it back! We had thought that since I had just been on a jog that my finger was swollen from the heat. I tried to squeeze it on so many times Jake had to tell me to stop, I actually had been pulling skin off my finger. I jumped into customer service mode and told Jake it was unacceptable for a business to make such a mistake. As paying customers we deserved impeccable service and he should call to voice our disappointment. Had I just turned into a 65 year old woman on my engagement day?! Yes, I had.  I tend to get hyped up about... everything. Thank god Jake knows exactly what to do and say to me, he practically stopped me from picketing outside The Clark building and brought me back to earth. 

And with that we are off and running as the future Dr. and Mrs. James David Cooper - Kmick. Kidding, I will lose Kmick. As hard as it will be for all of my friends to not call me Kmick.

I have a lot to learn about blogging, being engaged and married so stay tuned for more posts as our lives turn from 'me' to 'we'.