Okay, let's get right to it then. A few things have changed since April... just a few.
I've changed jobs. In November, I interviewed for a Graphic Designer position at Alphagraphics. Actually, applied for a Large Format Print Specialist AND Graphic Designer.... went in for the interview. Little did I know there was another Small Press Operator position open with their sister company, The Mitographers, Inc. The lady I interviewed with, Deb, had mentioned that if things didn't work out at Alphagraphics for any reason, that she wanted me to apply for this other position. Well, as it turned out, even though the interview went really well, Alphagraphics went in a different direction. In which case, I applied for the Small Press Operator position and now that's where I work. I left Capital One about the middle of the month. As of right now, I'm in my fourth week of training. It's been going great so far. Started out with post press work and moved to the press last week. Apparently, one of the cleaners irritates my eczema so I've been trying different things to make it go away. Started using gloves this week to avoid ink on my hands so I don't have to use the cleaners. We'll see...
Hm... I suppose I should talk about the biggest change that's occurred since April...
Okay, but before I do that... I need to talk about Travis and my 4-year Anniversary Weekend Getaway.
Our four-year anniversary was coming up and we had been meaning to have a weekend getaway since our three-year anniversary. We decided to take a trip up to Aberdeen, South Dakota to.... *drumroll*... STORYBOOK LAND! (Which also happens to contain the Land of Oz... and for anyone that knows me, I'm a bit of a fan....)
So, we left on Friday and spent the night in our hotel in Brookings. One, because there weren't any hotels open for that weekend in Aberdeen. Two, it was a closer drive home for Sunday night. Saturday brought the adventure!
We actually woke up relatively early to get on the road and make it to Aberdeen before noon. We ended up overestimating the length of the drive and got there by 11 am so it wasn't horribly busy when we arrived.
Of course, as soon as we walk up to the entrance, I start snapping pictures! Just had to get one of the entrance "gate", the signs, the statues.... I went a little crazy with excitement. We did eventually get into the park itself. Travis said we had to save Land of Oz until last. I just agreed and said, "Okay, save the best for last. I'm okay with that."
As we were walking through, all the Nursery Rhymes started coming back to me. Miss Muffett, Hickory Dickory Dock, Three Little Kittens who lost their mittens.... ALL of them! I'm glad I charged my phone... I took a lot of pictures!
So, we get through all of the Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales to finally get to the Land of Oz! For the first time all day, I handed over my phone to Travis so I could take pictures with the statues at the Land of Oz entrance: Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion, Tinman, and The Wicked Witch. I totally cheesed out... just check out the pictures!
We started following The Yellow Brick Road from the beginning and just like in the movie, we met each one of the characters. The Munchkins, Dorothy, and Glinda were in Munchkinland and started our journey. The first shack we came to was Scarecrow's. It was here when Travis gave me my first surprise. He told me to close my eyes and reach out my hands. As I did so, he stated, "Some of aren't always smart about everything, but we can learn." That's when he placed my first gift into my hands: a graduation cap bead for my Pandora/Charmed Memories bracelet. (A graduation cap to represent Scarecrow's diploma) So... anxious to continue our journey, I put the bead in my purse and on we went.
The next place we stopped was Tinman's tinhut. This time, when I held my hands out, he handed me a red glass heart charm and said, "Some of us start out not knowing how to love, but once we find our heart, it's easy." *melt*
At this point, I'm just enjoying the scenery and the time spent with Travis. He has done similar gifts in the past, giving the same number of gifts as the anniversary and having a theme. I wasn't trying to think too far into it.
We keep following The Yellow Brick Road, past the apple trees, onto the Lion's Den. Same as before, I closed my eyes and held out my hands. To represent the Lion (King of the Forest), Travis chose a crown charm. With this one he stated, "Some of us are scared, but through a long journey, we find our courage."
We had just a little further to go. We went past the Wicked Witch's castle, through the rest of the Haunted Forest, and to the end of The Yellow Brick Road. Travis had been there as a kid, but he wasn't sure if Emerald City was built at the end or not. We checked it out and it was Professor Marvel with his hot air balloon. As I was walking over to see it, Travis motions for me to come back to just inside the trees. (This is the first time I started to suspect anything) I asked him why and he stated that he had his fourth gift to give for the four years we had been together. As I'm following him back, I could the butterflies start to flutter. It wasn't until he asked me, once again, to close my eyes and hold out my hand. To be perfectly honest, I blanked out his voice and started listening more to what he was doing! It wasn't until after everything was said and done that he had to re-tell me what he said.
"We've been together for four years now. I haven't always been smart, I haven't always understood love, and at times, I"ve been cowardly. But throught this journey, though it may have taken me a while, I wised up, found my heart and the courage to ask you (open your eyes)....Will you marry me?"
I completely lost it. The moment, the ring, his face... It's all a blur but it was perfect!
We were standing there trying to recompose ourselves when a family walked by. The mother of the group must have caught on to the situation because she asked, "Did you just get engaged!?" Standing there, wiping my face, with my phone in hand, I nod. Then, she asked if we wanted our picture taken. Nodding, I handed her my phone and she was able to take a few pictures for us. They were all a little blurry, but again, perfect for the moment.
The rest of the day was spent on a cloud. Now, I was able to say I was proposed to at the end of The Yellow Brick Road!
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| Our first picture as an engaged couple! |
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| My gorgeous ring he picked out himself! |
Now, we've been engaged for 6 months and we already have so much figured out.
Date - August 12, 2016
Theme - Beauty & The Beast
Colors - Malibu, Plum, White
Venue - Orpheum Theatre**
Photographer - Little Cities Photography
DJ - Nikolai Bjordal
Cinematographer - Wholly Cowen
Favors - Glass bottles with Sixlets, engraved with our names and wedding date
Guestbook - "Be Our Guest" on the front of a converted scrapbook album
Card Box - Stack of hollowed out "books"
**not yet confirmed.
We've been taking a little break from planning for the time being. One, because of the holidays and two, we can't really do too much more without having our venue confirmed. Only waiting on Becky, our contact, to get back to us to be sure our date is open. She's just waiting on the Community Theater to send her their schedule for Summer 2016. Before her maternity leave, they had sent her up to June 2016... It's been nerve-racking waiting to hear back. I haven't wanted to email her until I hear from her first. Do not want to bother her on her maternity leave... and I can't remember how many weeks it's been. *tries to wait patiently*
Anywho... I've been to a few Bridal Shows now. Travis has gone to one so far. I like going to them, but we haven't gotten too much out of them yet. We've practically had our photographer and DJ from day 1... Venue shortly after. We're still needing a cake, honeymoon plans.... and.... I know I'm missing something. Oh... transportation, but I'm pretty sure we'll go with Stellar Limos. I loved them at the last show. With how big of a bridal party we have, we'll need to have a bus. And we wouldn't need it for long... just travel to and from any photo locations since the wedding and reception will be in the same building. :)
After the new year, we will probably start planning again. Especially since there's the Gonna Get Wed Bridal Showcase on January 4! Just so happens... that's right before our week long cruise to the West Caribbean with April and Alain. Never been on a cruise! This will give Travis and me a chance to see if we would like a cruise for our honeymoon or not. Regardless, we are looking to go somewhere warm and close to the water. Well, you can't get any closer to the water than a cruise. haha
Well, after writing a novel.... I will close this post with the lyrics to our Processional Song.
"The Light" by Sara Bareilles
In the morning it comes
Heaven sent a hurricaneNot a trace of the sunBut I don't even run from rainBeating out of my chestHeart is holding on to youFrom the moment I knewFrom the moment I knew
You're the air in my breath filling up my love soaked lungsSuch a beautiful mess, intertwined and overrunNothing better than this, ooh, and then the storm can comeYou feel just like the sunJust like the sun
CHORUS:And if you say we'll be all rightI'm gonna trust you, babeI'm gonna look in your eyesAnd if you say we'll be all rightI'll follow you into the light
Nevermind what I knew, nothing seems to matter nowOoh, who I was without you, I can do withoutNo one knows where it ends, how it may come tumbling downBut I'm here with you nowOh, I'm with you now
CHORUS
Let the world come rush inCome down hard, come crushingAll I need is right here beside meI'm not enough, I swear itBut take my love and wear it over your shoulders
CHORUS
The lightThe light
Sara Bareilles - The Light
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