Our Engagement Story

I now understand what people mean when they talk about how getting engaged feels like a whirlwind. I’m honestly really glad so many of you have asked for an engagement post, because it’s the perfect reason for me to write it all down. Obviously, I’ve told this story a million times now, but I know I’ll be happy in a few years when I have a written copy of what happened, what it felt like, and where we started.

First of all, I really didn’t think he was going to propose until 2019. We had to deal with a few curveballs in 2018, so I flat out told him that he shouldn’t feel pressure from me to make this happen by a certain date. We both knew we wanted to get married, that’s all that mattered to me. And then the teasing started…

The thing that still makes me laugh is that I could not figure out when he was serious and when he was messing with me. In fact, I went to brunch that morning with my best girlfriends and they asked me when I thought he was going to propose. My answer: “Literally any minute?! I got my nails done just in case!” ? Turns out some of it was teasing, but it was mixed in with real questions about my schedule for the next week so he could whisk me away.

The day of the proposal…

After brunch with my girlfriends, I came home and Adam suggested we watch a movie and just chill out. (Something I admittedly don’t always do on the weekends). You’ve Got Mail was on TV, which is one of my all time favorites, so we settled in to watch. After the movie ended, he started acting a little weird. He was extra complimentary, he’d lovingly look at me a little longer than usual – little things like that. Then he suggested we dress up for dinner with our friends, which led me to ask where we were going. His answer? “Oh, they’re finishing shopping on the Mag Mile, so we’ll meet them there and then go to dinner.“

OMG. IT’S HAPPENING.

I did my best to pretend I believed him as I finished getting ready… meanwhile, I started freaking out inside a little bit! Was this actually going to happen tonight?! Deep breaths, Lauren. Deep breaths. We got out of the cab at the John Hancock, and Adam pointed to the big tree in front of us and guided me over. He found a spot between two of the smaller trees where we could have a little privacy and started the sweetest speech. And then, there he was. My old friend, now the love of my life. Down on one knee. In front of a giant Christmas tree.

He chose that spot because, #1 we love Christmas. But #2, more importantly, he wanted to do it in a spot we could always go back to. Instead of a restaurant that might shut down, or a place that’s far away, he knew we could go back to the giant tree outside of the John Hancock year after year to remember that moment. My heart!

Right after he asked, my first reaction was to sit on his knee, wrap my arms around him, and kiss him as I said yes. I completely forgot there was a ring involved for a moment, but Adam quickly reminded me because he was so worried my excitement was going to knock it out of his hand accidentally!

The ring.

My engagement ring was his Grandma’s ring, exactly as she wore it. How incredible is that? All I had told Adam that I wanted a gold band and a round diamond. The only other thing I told him was a quick tidbit I learned about how the diamond should sit on platinum or white gold instead of the same yellow gold as the band (so the diamond doesn’t appear yellow). We didn’t go ring shopping or even really talk about it any more than that. And right before he was about to go find that ring himself, his Mom found this one that belonged to her Mother. That happens to be exactly what I wanted. A beautiful gold band with a round diamond that sits in a platinum setting. And it was my size. Feels a whole lot like fate, huh?

Time for another surprise…

After the proposal, Adam let me know that once we Facetimed our family/friends, we would be having dinner at Spiaggia. (We were both Team Joe Flamm on Top Chef!) Turns out, it was an AMAZING choice because they made me feel so incredibly special. I’m not kidding! Every single staff member we passed said congratulations to us. As we rounded the corner past the kitchen to our table with a view of Michigan Avenue, I said thank you so many times that I started crying as soon as we sat down. I think the waiter was a little concerned that something was wrong with the complimentary champagne. ? Don’t worry, we let him know I was just having a moment! But really, that’s when it hit me. We’re engaged. Holy MOLY!

But wait there’s more!

Months ago, when Adam casually asked me what I want out of a proposal, I told him that I’d love anything he does… I just don’t want to see people right after. What did I mean? No surprise party with all our friends, and no brunch or dinner right after with our families.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE our family and friends!! But dinner with my sister and a brunch with my brother immediately after each of them got engaged gave me anxiety. And I was SINGLE! I just knew that all of those well-meaning questions and excitement would stress me out. And I definitely didn’t want to come off as ungrateful for their love and support!! I personally felt like I would need a little time,  just the two of us, to let it sink in. And THEN we could celebrate with all our favorite people!

Off to Mexico

To be fair, I was asking for one night when I said that. Maybe a full day. Something like that. Adam took that as “Let’s get out of the country!” So after our dinner at Spiaggia, we went home and Adam helped me pack. Yes, helped – maybe the 2 ½ celebratory drinks I had went to my head. Woops! But then, before the sun was even up the next morning, we were on our way to celebrate in Mexico! Sunshine. Ocean views. Minimum time on our phones. Walks on the beach. No alarm clocks allowed. And lots of random tears because I was just so. damn. happy.

All in all, I still have trouble believing that all of this happened. That’s how perfect it was! Adam could not have picked a better way to ask me, or a better way to celebrate after. He made me feel like the most special person in the world, and it was so fun to take some time to simply be giddy and in love. Just us. Needless to say, I’ll hold those few days in my heart forever.

And now, we’re very close to officially nailing down our venue and date!

I’ll sneak a few of those details into tomorrow’s post since I know you’re curious ? But right now,  I can tell you that we’re waiting until 2020 so we can take our time and enjoy being engaged! It also means that I have time to create helpful content for you around flowers, invitations, wedding rings, organization/budget sheets, bridesmaids dresses, wedding registry – basically everything you asked for in my survey last week. And no, I promise it won’t totally take over my content. I listen to your feedback, guys!

And of course, thank you so so much for your love and support around our engagement. I’m still blown away by all of the messages and comments that next morning and nearly every day since. You all are seriously the BEST and we are so lucky to have you in our corner ❤️

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