Celebrating His Memory

When we got married nearly three years ago, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to honor my dad's memory.  How do you fill the shoes of such a big personality? You want to honor and remember them, but you don't want the moment to rain on the parade of such a happy time. Also, as sad as the moment was for me to not have my dad walk me down the aisle or dance with me, I didn't want it to be a continuous shrine to my late father. As big as the loss was, I didn't want to take away from the losses Casey had or depress the mood of the party.

So, I wanted my dad to be there as I walked down the aisle. We came up with an idea to release 12 white balloons as I came down. My cousin, Lauri, told everyone the plan while waiting on the bridal party to arrive. I had friends and family who knew my dad hold and release each balloon as I walked past them. It was so special and I really feel like he was walking with my mom and I.

At the reception, we had a memory table set up with pictures of all the loved ones we had lost and scrapbooks of our childhoods set out.  We also lit a candle that said, "For those we have loved and lost along the way, a flame to remember them burns here today."

And, we also had Casey and his mom dance beside my mom and me. Though, the best moment of all, was having my dad's brother, Paul, dance with me. It was simply amazing. I really feel all of these gestures honored the memory of my dad and our grandparents at our wedding.

Now, I will leave this post with this picture. You cannot tell me we didn't have angels watching over our special day with a beautiful sunset like this behind us.

Sorry Boys, I'm Off the Market!!

He proposed!!!! On January 8, 2011 Casey asked me to marry him in front of some of our closest family and friends! It was my birthday present, and a mighty good one if I do say so myself! We're getting married in the summer of 2012 at the beach! -)

So, I know girls want to do know, "How'd he do it?"

I had NO idea! In the fall we jokingly stopped into a jewelry store at a mall here in town. He said, "I've never heard of this place."

I said, "Let's check it out." Totally joking mind you, and I did it just to aggrevate him. And the first ring we saw was so beautiful, I fell in love with it. We left the store and I thought that was the end of it. Nope - he went back and bought it!!!

So, flash forward a few months...I thought he might propose soon because the topic had come up a few times with friends and family. Well, Christmas passed, New Year's passed and still nothing. Then a few clues came, and I started to think it could be sooner rather than later. On New Year's Day his sister called him. Because I was standing close to him I could hear their conversation through his phone. The first thing she asked was, "Any news yet?" Hello Meredith's alert system...I thought that is weird, what news would he have that she wouldn't call me first? She usually calls me. Then two days later we got into an argument over money, and he said he was worried about a wedding, a house and kids. Another flag went off in my head. I thought, "why does he care about that all of a sudden?"

My birthday fell over the weekend, and by accident Casey kind of planned it. I kept battling with what to do, and he mentioned two of my favorite things to do in downtown, and that's what we did. He knows my obsession with Italian food so he suggested Buca Di Beppo...YUM! He also remembers how much fun we had the previous Cinco De Mayo at the Piano bar a few doors down, and I was in love with that idea.

Saturday rolls around and we head out to Buca. Dinner was amazing and shared with my wonderful friend, Cristina, my cousin Megan and her husband Richie, and our roomates, Lindsay and Randy. Amazing food!!!! They sang Happy Birthday in that utterly embarassing way and then we were on our way.

Casey and I were the last ones out the door and walking up the steps to leave. We got to the top, and everyone was waiting, but we were kind of hurrying because this is January in Ohio afterall and it was COLD! As we are about to turn to walk to the Piano Bar, Casey stops everyone and says, "I want to tell you all about my amazing girlfriend." As I turn to look at him, he is down on one knee and asks me to marry him!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!! I of course said yes!!!

Pictures, "Let me see the ring," congrats, hugs all followed! I of course called my mom immediately afterwards and sent texts out to everyone of the ring!! We went to the Piano Bar to celebrate, they brought us up on stage, sang to us and we got to dance. It was a truly AMAZING night -- one that I will never forget!

Wedding details to come ...