Since You've Been Gone

I have some really amazing news to share... 

On Saturday, April 23, 2011, PDS made me the happiest girl in the world and asked me to be his wife! 

He recreated one of our very first dates and took me to Cafe Deluca in Forest Park, IL for dinner. We sat at the same table and laughed as we remembered how nervous we had been 2 years earlier in that exact same spot. After dinner, Paul suggested that we go to the mall and pick him out some new clothes. My heart sank as my hopes for a "special date" were squashed. But I agreed and we went to the car. But then when we got to the highway I realized he was driving into the city, NOT to the mall!  I've never been so happy to not go to the mall :) 

As we walked up Michigan Ave, we stopped in front of the Chicago Symphony Center and remembered how we had enjoyed a concert there that same first date. Suddenly, Paul said "We're going tonight!" and pulled me inside!  We enjoyed a beautiful performance the first half, and then decided to walk around  alittle during intermission. As we walked into the lobby, Paul said "actually, I've heard enough, how about you? Do you want to go?" At this, I started to get excited ;) I agreed and we walked out into the fresh night air. 

After a quick stop at the car to get cannoli's (or so I was told) we found ourselves sitting on a bench in Millenium Park facing the bean and the skyline.  He pulled out a scrapbook I had made him 2 Christmases ago documenting all the fun adventures we had  been on. As we looked through the pages we reminisced about what a blessing our relationship has been in our lives. Paul had added about 10 more pages to the book which he carefully crafted all by himself (I'm so proud!). On the very last page there were the words "Best Friend Forever?" with a little envelope glued onto the page.
 

At that very moment, a women who was cleaning in the park came up and started sweeping right under the bench where we were sitting! We sat in uncomfortable silence for a few moments, knowing what was coming, but not wanting to share an intimate moment with the park district employee! When she finally left, Paul got down on his knee, told me he loved me (for the first time) and some other special things and asked me to marry him. I of course said "YES!" through my tears of joy and he pulled out the most beautiful ring from the little envelope in our scrapbook. We stayed and talked and dreamed about the future and finally made our way back to the car and to my parents house to share our good news. I never knew I could feel SO SO SO very happy!! 

We knew we wanted to get married as soon as possible (when you know, you know, right?!)  So we set the date for August 27, 2011 and we could not be more excited :)

I knew that since our engagement was shorter than most people's it would probably be silly to send out a Save the Date card when the invitation would follow just a short time after. But still, I wanted to be able to make sure people knew the date and were able to reserve it amidst busy summer schedules.  So to save time, and money, I created this email Save the Date and sent it to some family and close friends.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

I can't wait for the day when I will be Paul's wife. In the last two years we have experienced incredible times of happiness and fun as well as times of sorrow and deep pain. Through it all we have found our greatest earthly blessing to be the companionship and friendship we have in one another. God has woven our hearts and lives together in a way that we could have never done on our own or through our own plans. In His mercy and grace, He directed our steps even when they were not the directions we had hoped or planned. Now, with our wedding around the corner and the hope of a lifelong marriage before us, we say with full hearts and honest humility, that Jesus has been so faithful to us; Blessed be the Name of the Lord!