Filed under: getting engaged, the ring | Tags: aquamarine ring, engagement ring
Remember how, when Adrian proposed (almost a year ago!), he said “I don’t have a ring….YET…”
Well two days ago, he did “have a ring”. Now I “have a ring”. Not just a ring, but the MOST PERFECT RING EVER!! Well, to me anyway! It’s exactly everything I always wanted deep down inside; a big, bright, beautiful aquamarine (his birthstone and the color of his eyes) , and a delicate, antique-looking silver band.
I find myself swooning every time I look down at my left hand. I’ve heard this from other brides, but boy, after you get something pretty like this on your finger, the desire to constantly manicure yourself comes full-force!
I have the BEST man in the world. SO sweet & thoughtful.
Oh, the story? You want to know how it all “went down”, eh? Well, here goes…
I had booked us a surprise mini-getaway at Hotel Indigo in Columbus, Indiana.
This. Hotel. Rocks.
Seriously. Just check out the pics:
Exterior
Lobby
One of the best parts: The Hotel Dog!! He’s the most adorable Bichon Frise and his name is Miles!! I LOVE HIM! He greeted us and played with us and rolled over to let us scratch his belly! I couldn’t get enough of little Miles 
I wanted to steal him. Still do.
A guest bedroom (SEE?! SUPER COOL!)
The super awesome restaurant/lounge in the hotel where we had dinner and then breakfast the next morning
(photo sources all from hotelindigo.com)
So as you can see…totally awesome hotel. Our room was beautiful, fun, funky, and romantic all at once.
So back to the story. I had snuck in some of our own champagne & glasses for the evening. After dinner, I turned on the TV & flopped on the bed. Adrian went to pour the champagne (because there is an actual separate foyer in each king room, I couldn’t see him while he was doing this). I was wondering what was taking him so long and then he came around the corner with the champagne flutes and I saw…something….attached to my glass! It was an organza bag with a silver box inside. I’m confused and excited. I’m thinking earrings or a bracelet or something (even though I’m not a big fancy jewelry freak and Adrian knows this). I look at him and ask, “What am I supposed to do? Do I just open it? What’d you get me?! You goof!” I start untying the bag and it comes loose. Adrian grabs it and opens it up, takes out the box and opens it.
He shows the contents to me briefly while my hand flies to my mouth and the tears flow. I now realize what he’s done and I’m overcome with emotions. It is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen as he takes out out and reaches for my….. RIGHT hand. I tearfully exclaim “Wrong hand!” He sheepishly says “oops” and reaches for the left one and slides it on my ring finger.
Tears are flowing freely, well, mine were, and we hugged & kissed & hugged & kissed and I stared at this masterpiece on my finger over & over again. It fits just right. It looks so amazing. And because my man picked it out himself makes it that much more special.
It’s been two days with the ring and I still can’t get enough! I stare at this thing all the time! I’m learning not to do so while driving or cooking though 
Next the search is on for wedding bands! Can’t wait to get a ring on that man’s finger too!
Jenny the Bride
Yeah, I know. It’s been like, forever since I updated this blog! OK, a little under a month. That’s not THAT bad! A lot has been accomplished and yet every time I say that, I feel like there are a million and one more things to do.
Any other bride or groom ever get the feeling that you want time to hurry up already so you can just be married to that special someone…but at the same exact time you wish you had all the time in the world?! Lately, as the date gets closer, I feel myself being pulled in these two directions almost constantly. Hurry UP already….let’s get it done! No no no…slow DOWN…I’ve got so much to do!! aaaaaaaahhhhh!
*deep breath, Jenny*
I need to remind myself that this moment in time–this being engaged, the excitement and anticipation leading up to the wedding–this moment is fleeting and I need to appreciate every minute. And I do, don’t get me wrong. I am loving just looking forward to the wedding. At the same time, I just can’t wait for it to BE here already! :)
As for the to-do items that have been checked off the list:
INVITATIONS! CHECK! This I am more excited about these than I’d thought I would be. I went to pick them up the morning of the Presidential Inauguration and was blown away. They are EXACTLY how I pictured them, but better! SO gorgeous, so US and 100% recycled & tree-free paper goodness! GUESTS: don’t forget–the seed paper (the blue part–you’ll see) is plantable! Yes, you absolutely CAN plant it and it WILL grow wildflowers!
CATERER! CHECK! Finally. We are still using Bloomingfoods Co-Op to cater our organic, locally-grown, vegetarian meal, but we had to shift gears. The guy we were working with TOTALLY flaked on us. Just NEVER got back to us after 4 whole months no matter how many times I tried to contact him. So we met with the wonderful, super helpful (and super apologetic) Kai Bookwalter at the East side store. Ohhhh how we love Kai. She is on top of things, full of yummy suggestions and actually gets back to us (of course it doesn’t hurt that she shares the name of my beloved future stepson!). We have a menu, a quote and are now 100% all set until we get a headcount in April.
FLOWERS! CHECK! Linda Chapman over at Harvest Moon contacted me herself to check in to see if I was still interested in working with them for our wedding. I love when vendors do this. I try to always “check in” with potential and current clients myself. I, of course, responded with a resounding “YES!”. We are to meet in April.
HAIR APPTS! CHECK! I contacted Les Champs Elysees Salon to set up the day-of hair appts as well as my hair trial.
SHOES! CHECK! While my regular under-the-dress shoes have been chosen and purchased for quite a while now, I decided to invest in some SUPER cute wellies (rain boots for those who don’t follow the lingo!) to wear just in case it rains (it IS May!). Now I’m kinda looking forward to the possibility of rain!
And now, the big one……HONEYMOON! CHECK! Oh yeah. Adrian is the BEST. We are now all booked for a 2-week trip to Europe!!! Where exactly? How about Dublin, Barcelona, Nice, Florence & Rome? How about that, hmmm? I say, AWESOMEEEEEE!!!!!!! Can you tell I’m excited? Now I don’t know what I’m looking forward to more, the wedding or the honeymoon!
I know there’s more, there’s got to be, but I can’t think of anything else right now. I’ve got Bride Brain (overloaded, overexcited, and overtired).
I’ll get back to you as I think of things
Jenny the Bride
