Joe and I are getting married and I could not be more excited!
Are you ready to hear about the proposal?! As crazy as this may sound, it all begins with the gift Joe got me this past Christmas.
In this envelope, was a riddle. In short, the riddle stated that over the next year I would be receiving one gift every month.
A few weeks ago, I opened my July envelope. The riddle inside told me that I would be going to a nearby park to stand right under airplanes as they take off and land (don’t worry, it’s safe). This is something I had wanted to do for a long time – ever since a year ago when my friend did it with her family and told me what a great time she had! As if that wasn’t enough, I also received my SEPTEMBER gift that day! It was a trip to a very nice seafood restaurant, The Chart House. Although I was curious as to why I was getting my September gift so early, I did not think much of it because Joe told me it was located near the park where we would be going to watch airplanes. He thought, or so he claimed, that the two presents together would make a nice date night.
We planned to have our date night this past Saturday. After waking up around seven and having breakfast, the day seemed like any ordinary day. Around noon, my Mom started telling me that I really needed a haircut (thanks Mom). When I did not seem to be putting any effort into getting my hair cut that second (she was in on the proposal), my Mother had to take matters into her own hands. She 0ffered to pay for the trim herself and, since I like keeping money in my bank account, we went to the hair salon right then and there.
After arriving home, I quickly got ready and waited for Joe to come and pick me up.
When he arrived at my house, I attempted to give him one of those hugs where I try to squeeze out his insides. On any normal day he can put up with these hugs, but on the day when he had my engagement ring in his pocket, hugs were no longer his thing. Although I asked him a billion times why he wasn’t letting me hug him, it never once occurred to me what was going on.
Clueless, I got into Joe’s car and headed to the park. After watching several airplanes fly right over my head (I really apologize for not getting a picture of this – it was so cool!), we decided to take advantage of the fact that we were so close to the Potomac River by walking along its banks.
It was in the middle of our walk, right next to the river, where Joe handed me my August gift. I opened the envelope, and when I looked up he was down on one knee.
I wish I could tell you how he asked me to marry him, really I do. However, I seemed to have blacked out during the period of time when he was proposing. I remember what he looked like during that moment, but as for the words coming out of his mouth….I got nothing.
Following the proposal, the two of us headed to The Chart House to eat some seafood and just enjoy the moment.
When I look back on that night, all I can think about is how happy I felt and how perfect it was. The only thing that even compares to that feeling is the one I get knowing that I will be spending the rest of my life with my best friend! I love you Joe!!!
And in case you are interested….
What a great story and what a creative fiancé! I need to have my husband read this maybe he can redo it from four years ago!
I love your engagement story! Joe is so creative and it looks like he planned this pretty far in advance, too. I also love that your mom was in on it! Congratulations and best wishes!
P.S. When I was engaged someone told me you always say “best wishes” to the to-be bride and you say “congratulations” to the to-be groom. The reason the groom gets congratulations is because the bride is a prize to be won and he won her. Or at least that’s what I’ve been told….
We read all about that after my brother congratulated Joseph and not Julie. He said he thought it was bad luck to congratulate the bride. After I asked my mom, and she confirmed what you say in your second paragraph, I googled it to get the details. Miss Manners also said that congratulating the bride would insinuate that it’s a good thing she finally found a husband and won’t end up a spinster! It sounds pretty outdated to me! 🙂
Oh my goodness! I have been wondering about this. Since I just got engaged a little less than 2 months ago, I have heard congratulations all summer. Something about it bugged me. I don’t take offense to it, but I think of all the accomplishments in my life, the things I have earned and worked hard for (like my PhD) and I think getting engaged was the easiest thing of all of them! But whatever, congrats or best wishes work!
Thanks Meagan, for the congratulations AND the well-wishes!! Can’t wait to see you at the Hokie Half!
What a sweet story! I love how much planning and preparation went into this, starting last December! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!!!!!
That is such a beautiful proposal, I love that he was planning it for months in advance. Very, very thoughtful and romantic, and the ring is stunning!. PS. I love your dress Julie!
Thank you!! It was a very special night for us!
And the dress is from Nordstrom!!
In a few years we’ll be hearing about how you find out they’re pregnant!
HaHa!!! Of course that’s the first thing an OBGYN would think of! 🙂
<3 <3 <3 What a sweet and thoughtful proposal. Wishing you two every happiness together!
Thank you so much, we really appreciate the well wishes!!
This really is a great story. Thanks, for sharing Julie and Deb! Are you a runner, Julie?
Julie is an excellent runner and runs with the Cruisers sometimes! We are doing a half marathon together in September.
I didn’t know that he gave her the August note when he proposed! So sweet! Julie is glad that her hair looked terrific thanks to me (Mom).
It’s always helpful to have inside-information! 🙂
I love the story and thanks for sharing it. I hope you will still get to write stories this cute when you have been married to him for 50 years! Best wishes to the both of you. Donna (mom’s friend from high school) Glad mom was on the haircut thing 😉 LOL!
How sweet!! Congratulations!! Sounds like it was a wonderful day!
Ok, that is some SERIOUS planning! How could he have started this whole thing in December and waited until August to actually do it?? I’d be dying!!!! Ha. Congrats!
Apparently Joseph gets his patience from his dad and not me; I couldn’t have done that! It was hard enough for us to keep it a secret after he told us in early July about his plans to propose to Julie. 🙂
Wow! What an elaborate plan!! Congrats! Best wishes! Thank you Julie for telling us the story, it was a great one!!
I LOVE that story! Joe is so thoughtful and creative…wow!! Thanks for sharing the details. My favorite part is the part about sharing the rest of your life with your best friend! SO AWESOME. Have fun and savory every minute of every day! Love, Vanessa
Thanks for visiting my blog, Vanessa! Isn’t it the most exciting news that Joseph and Julie are getting married? Bill and I are so happy! We don’t think we could have picked out a more perfect young lady to join our family! 🙂
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