I'M ENGAGED!!!!!

This Saturday, March 12th, Nick and I celebrated our one year anniversary together. 

The night before we had exchanged gifts and he got me beautiful white and pink roses.

When we woke up we gave each other cards, obviously professing our love for one another. Then we headed into DC for the day!

We wanted to go to Georgetown Cupcakes to see the ever-so-popular store that is now on the new tv show DC Cupcakes (on the TLC network, check it out, its really cute!). Unfortunately when we got there, there was a line wrapped around the building and a bouncer at the door, there was no way I was sneaking in to get a sweet little cupcake.

Nick then suggested that we go to their studio, originally the first cupcake store, before they got so big they needed to expand. It was one block over, so we went to check it out.

I started taking pictures, turned around and asked Nick to hold my cup of coffee for me.

He then

got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

I had no idea he was going to ask me, I certainly did not see it coming. Nick was cool, calm and collected the whole day (I later found out he didn't sleep for the previous two nights) but he showed no signs what-so-ever.

The first thing I said was, "Is this a joke?" ---> a story I'll tell my kids one day I'm sure, because poor Nick said "umm, NO" and pulls out the ring. I almost passed out.

May I just say that a girl always dreams of the day when she gets engaged and every girl wants a beautiful ring but WOW! Nick nailed this one. He had my ring custom made, the first thing he told me is there isn't another one like it. It's a halo setting so there is a large diamond in the center and then diamonds in the halo around it. The pictures don't serve any justice, in person it is so sparkly and so radiant.

(sorry for the poor picture, I took it with my phone)

Nick chose a platinum band setting and added diamonds to be set into the prongs underneath for extra sparkle:o)

He knew exactly what I would always want and it is so incredibly beautiful.

When he put the ring on my finger it sparkled in a way that I will never forget.

I didn't know whether to smile or to cry, I was still feeling lightheaded at that point and my hands were shaking. I jumped into his arms and said "YES! Of course I will!" and he smiled.

There were people walking around, and everyone was looking and smiling. I immediately called my Mom (I had just called her a few minutes before it happened to tell her about a spring dress I saw-but that's another story) and when I heard her voice I just started balling my eyes out. Next was my Dad, whom Nick asked permission from, along with my brother who I am extremely close to. Talking to my Dad and hearing what he talked about with Nick was something I'll never forget. To call your parents and tell them you're engaged is just an incredible feeling. Emotions were running very high.

We called the rest of my family and Nicks parents, his mom had been waiting by the phone all day.

That night we had dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, one of the oldest restaurants in DC and the place where we had our first date. Located right next to the White House, it is very historical and the service is impeccable. They gave us champagne and dessert on the house to celebrate our special day:o)

The only picture of us we managed to get that day, but still one that I'll cherish always.

We're engaged!!!!

When I woke up Sunday morning and realized it was not a dream, I unfortunately had to work but I did manage to show all of my regular customers and co-workers who I have grown to adore. I even caught myself daydreaming and sketching when we were slow:o)

Nick and I went to Barnes and Noble to get the famous wedding planner/binder. I chose one that included "ultimate" in the title just so I wasn't leaving anything out:o)

Now that I am a bride-to-be, I am doing lots and lots of research and I would love all the help I can get! So tell me brides and brides-to-be, do you have any tips or advice???

I will keep you updated along the way:o)

We would like a spring, May wedding located in the countryside of PA, in the little white wooden church that my Mom-Mom attends. I am looking to do a rustic, shabby chic style wedding that is simple but elegant!

I even have my something old already...

I asked my grandmother (Mom's mom) if I could wear her headpiece that both she and my mom wore on their wedding day. She said she would be honored:o) She will be bringing it with her on her trip at the end of April for me to try on for the very first time.