Announcing Our Engagement

So, I realized today that I hadn't finished my previous entry about the planning weekend, but the bottom line is: I got so much done! With only a few small issues like, oh, COST. And the inability to book the church until October 1 since my family and I are no longer members there. Still, it is perfect, and I'm crossing my fingers that come October 1st, FUMC Fort Worth will still be available for July 24, 2010!

Don't write that down yet, we'll send out save the dates. :)

Speaking of which, ONE of my four friends getting married next year has already sent out her save the date cards and they are absolutely fabulous! She is getting married in Texas and the front of the card is adorned with bluebonnets. Actually, I need to call her. Charlotte Coffey, I need details about your wedding!

I have been going out of town for work and Junior Leaguing like a mad woman lately, but I definitely wanted to devote some time to getting the Iowa Engagement Announcement down on paper--er, type.

On September 4, I hopped on a plane to Moline to go see my fiance, who to everyone in Iowa, was merely my boyfriend. It was a hilarious weekend of trying to know when to take my ring off, when to hide it behind my back, when to keep the ring box around to stash it in, etc. Ben's parents really wanted it to be a surprise to all of his aunts and uncles, and wanted them to find out before the rest of the state did (naturally), so we had been playing this girlfriend/fiancee game for over a month!

Friday when I arrived we headed to the doctor because Ben's leg was being a little oozy. Was that an overshare? His brother Jacob cooked dinner Friday night and what a little rockstar he is in the kitchen. Almost as good as Ben. We had several visitors each evening that came over to "meet Ben's girlfriend" and no sooner did I pop out my left hand! Everyone seems really shocked, Ben, is there something you're not telling me?

I guess it is sort of shocking. We got engaged after only knowing each other 7 months. But come on, when you know, you know!

I spent Saturday morning with Ben's mom. Iowa is SO cute and quaint, I can't even tell you. We went to the Amish settlement a couple of towns over and oogled over handmade furniture and baked goods. Then we headed over to the Stringtown market, which is owned by some Amish. Carol was nice enough to point out some interesting things (like an iron that operates on butane instead of power!) and I was seriously amazed that people can live without the modern day conveniences we enjoy every day. Good for them for believing in something and sticking with it. That is rare in our world. Sometimes I truly believe that a simplified life would be so much better than this crazy one I'm living in DC!

The best part of the morning was when we stopped at the Cheese Market. I don't know what it's really called because the experience was so amazing, it is a blur. Not really, but come on, you guys know how much I love cheese! This place has like 80 different varieties and you can sample anything you want. Plus you can see cheese curds being made when you first walk in. So cool! Ben's dad used to deliver their milk at this market when their family was still in the dairy business. Mmmm, cheese coma. Of course, I couldn't fully enjoy the experience because I am extremely concious that I will have the most-photographed day of my life in less than a year.

Please, Stacy Reeves, stay available July 24.

Saturday evening we went to dinner with Ben's friends Tara and Kirk. Buffalo Wild Wings! I was so excited because I literally have not eaten at that glorious establishment since I went there with the Two Amys in San Antonio.

Wow, it sounds like all I care about is food.

Anyway, Sunday was the big day of the BBQ. After church, we went back to the Meyers' house and got ready for the big announcment. It was so exciting to finally put the ring box away, once and for all!

Ben's dad's siblings and their families drove up one by one and looked a bit puzzled as to why I was staying so close by Ben. Meanwhile the ring was burning a hole in my pocket because I was so afraid something would happen and I would lose it!! After everyone had arrived, Ben made the announcement. It went something like this.

"Well, I know you all thought you were coming over today to meet my girlfriend, but I've actually been lying to you a little bit for the past month...she's my fiancee!"

Tears. Hugs. Storytelling. Eating yummy food.

Abby, Ben's sister in law, gave us the sweetest congratulations card and the day was truly enjoyed by all. The family played several games of Euchre (I retired into the kitchen to help Carol with the dishes because I clearly could not hang with these Euchre-playing fools) and many a Bud Light can were emptied in honor of this glourious occasion. And a box of Franzia.

Monday we just kind of got to hang back and enjoy each others' company before I had to leave to come back to DC. Even though it was a great weekend, it was way too short! (as always) Ben's family is awesome and whether the feeling is mutual or not, I felt so accepted and they treated me as a part of the family already. Oh! I left out one of the coolest parts! The Meyers actually invited my parents up for the weekend, but because of financial constraints and the impending wedding, they couldn't make it. They did the sweetest thing though! They sent a gorgeous bouquet of fall flowers which were displayed on the table for all to see at the BBQ. It was almost as good as having them there would have been. Almost.

I am headed back to Iowa to see Ben over Columbus Day weekend in October. The past few family weekends have been nice, and I know I can count on a lot more of them, but we are also excited to have a weekend to just be together and relax a little!

Hopefully I will have more updates for you OCTOBER 1ST! When I will be telling you all of the finalized plans for the wedding! Yeah, right. But at least we'll be one step closer.

Until then, you can read more about Ben's leg and surgery at http://hemophiliaanklesurgery.blogspot.com/. It's really quite interesting, and he is such a good sport and a total trooper.

Love, Megan