Wedding Countdown: 300 days
So my Friday night didn’t go quite like I had made it out to be in my mind, but we had a big party at Aaron’s parents to look forward to. Saturday Aaron and I got ready to go to his parent’s around 3 p.m. We arrived and began munching on some snacks and said “hello” to family, while waiting for the rest of the gang to arrive. Once everyone arrived we continued to chat until Aaron’s mom asked, “Why don’t you guys go and take a look at the garden? The tomatoes are getting really big.” Aaron and I looked at one another and he asked, “Want to go look at the garden?” and I agreed, eager to see the fresh veggies growing.
We headed out the door, hand-in-hand, and began walking through the back yard. Once we reached the arbor separating their back yard Aaron said, “Oh, flowers.” I noticed a bouquet of daisies in a basket hanging from the arbor and was just thinking that it was a little strange when Aaron’s sister called my name from the house.
I turned toward her as she said, “Ethan wants to come with you.” I motioned for Ethan, Aaron’s 4-year-old nephew, to come with us and as I turned around and looked at the spot where Aaron had been standing, I realized that he was no longer there. I looked down and there he was, my best friend, on one knee with the bouquet of flowers. I don’t remember all of the dialogue but I do know he mentioned something about being my best friend and asking me to live my life with him.
Completely surprised and taken aback, I thought for a moment it was a little prank like we had seen in movies and shows we enjoyed, since I didn’t see a ring anywhere. So I started shaking profusely and said things like, “Are you serious? Is this really happening?” In retrospect, I realize this wasn’t the response Aaron was expecting and I think he may have been a little offended, but I promise I didn’t mean it in a negative way. I did, however, follow them up with “yes, yes, yes.”
Then I over Aaron’s shoulder I saw Ethan standing shyly by. I gasped, “Does he have it?” He nodded and confirmed my realization and Ethan handed Aaron the small red box that would change my life forever. He opened the box and pulled out the ring I had been waiting so long to see.
Aaron extended the ring toward my hand and said, “Wait, you said ‘Yes,’ right?”
I laughed and said, “Of course!” He let out an exclamation of relief and slid the beautiful solitaire ring with an engraved band onto my left ring finger. We hugged and kissed a million times in a moment that felt like no one else existed.
Then, Aaron’s parents, aunt, cousins, sister, brother-in-law and nephew all came up to hug me and add daisies to my bouquet. I hugged them each and we were all chattering about me becoming a member of their family, something I have been looking forward to all along.
We followed up the night with some amazing grilled food and fire works, but it all seems a little like a blur. Looking back, I now tell people that I should have seen the signs:
1) Aaron asked me to change my outfit—something he never does—saying, “That’s kind of boyish. Don’t you want to wear something more girly?” I changed with some speculation but didn’t pick up on it.
2) Aaron didn’t eat any snacks, which kind of surprised me because we had both commented earlier how we didn’t eat anything all day and we were starving.
3) He, his sister and nephew went out to his aunt’s camper to “look at it.” Now I know they were bribing Ethan to bring the ring up to us.
4) The idea about going to check the garden I now know was all part of the plan.
I guess I should have seen it coming, but I’m glad I didn’t. So here we are, planning our wedding. I can’t believe it’s only 10 months away, but I’m so excited and probably more organized than I have ever been.
So now you know my story. I hope it intrigues you to keep reading. Coming soon: information on finding venues that will work with you to give you exactly what you want on your big day.
