What other kind of engaged is there? Before I get to the good stuff, you need a little bit of the back story.
Four years ago, I met a tall, hilarious guy during March Madness. We both had gone to Arizona State University, but our paths had never crossed until we were living in Chicago. I had just gotten out of a serious long-distance relationship and wasn’t looking for anything new.
At this point in my “mourning” process, I truly believed that love didn’t exist. And if it did, I wouldn’t find it. And I was ok with that! Love was something fleeting that was meant for other people. And I could happily survive by throwing myself into work (PR agency at the time) and school (my master’s program). I didn’t have a lot of money to go out anyway and I only new a few people in the city so I never felt like I was missing out.
Until I met AJ.
Our first date was supposed to be a trip with the ASU Alumni Association to Milwaukee, WI to watch ASU compete against Michigan. It was a day trip and a very low-stakes activity for someone like me who didn’t want to commit to anything. As luck would have it, ASU lost the game that would allow us to advance in the tournament and the trip was cancelled. Which meant that I knew AJ was free that night, so I asked him out for a drink. We both loved dogs, The Office and had a few mutual friends we could talk about if all else failed.
I Fell Hard
On the way into Scofflaw, the bar AJ picked for our first date, I fell into a pothole getting out of the cab (damn Chicago winters!). Walking into the bar, I was laughing out of embarrassment and the door guy was also cracking up. I saw AJ immediately and blurted out, “I just ate $h*t!” Of course, he saw the whole thing and couldn’t help but laugh as well. The rest of the night, we sat cozy by the fireplace in the gorgeous high back vintage velvet chairs and talked about everything. Time was moving so slowly, but 6 hours had passed and it was time to go home. I loved every minute of it. He was hysterical, cute and down to earth. Also he studied in Spain and spoke better Spanish that I do.
I was smitten. We shared a cab home (so he could make sure I got home safe) and said goodnight. No kiss. No hug. Just a “I’ll see you later.”
I was excited about him not being too forward about things. We made plans for a second date at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and it was another night of pure hilarity and fun. Being together was so easy and natural. After dinner, we went to Beercade for some arcade games and a nightcap. I beat him in NBA Jam (a fact he still loves to dispute). Except the night ended the same way. We shared a cab and still no kiss!
I called my sister the next morning to tell her how confused, but excited I was.
“He’s either going to be my best friend, or the person I’m going to marry.”
On date three, he finally did let me know how he felt about me. The rest is history. He graduated law school and I graduated with my master’s. Through several jobs, a lot of laughter and a few devastating events in our lives, our love continued to grow. We moved in together a little over a year ago and our lives continued to merge. There’s nothing quite like waking up to your best friend and the one you love everyday. The little things are fun. Grocery shopping. Walking the dog. Making breakfast. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
And Here We Are
I knew an engagement was coming, but thought it wasn’t happening until we were in Hawaii. We had planned a trip to Oahu during January to escape the brutal Chicago cold and take our first solo vacation in years that didn’t involve a trip to someone else’s wedding or with family and friends.
It was a Saturday morning and his parents and Grandma were in town. My brother was also in town (I thought for his birthday) and expected everyone to come over for lunch at our place. It’s difficult to coordinate schedules with my family as they’re in the suburbs, but I was planning on having a make your own pizza bar and we could take my brother out to celebrate his birthday after.
I went to get my nails done so I didn’t have to worry about chipping while I was in Hawaii for a week. AJ was so particular about the time I left that morning. I didn’t have a nail appointment and was just taking my time getting out of the house. He was especially antsy and I couldn’t tell if the nervousness was because we were hosting people that afternoon or the trip the next day.
He called me on my way home to let me know he was taking Tchaikovsky out for a walk and I should meet him at the end of our street. I’ll never forget the image of both of them walking towards me. We walked to a garden by our apartment where we walk Tchai on our way to the lake. He told me to look at a tag on Tchai’s collar. I turned around and he was down on one knee.
I Said Yes
And forgot to take the ring! We continued walking and I saw curls hiding behind a tree. It was my sister Amanda and my brother-in-law Josh! AJ also surprised me with an engagement party at one of our favorite bars in Wrigley–Sheffields. Our friends and family were all there cheering for us when we walked in! I may have happy-sobbed the entire day and I still can’t believe it! I’m over the moon about the groom and surrounded by happiness and love!!
More updates to come on the wedding plan!
Con mucho amor,
Michelle
