into the future

2014 was hard and a lot of shit happened. 2013 was harder though. Since things are looking up, tonight its cocktails and champagne and good friends because that is what I want 2015 to be filled with.

Here's what I'm looking forward to:

Tomorrow is my 4 year anniversary with Rich and we're going to get married.
Long runs and bike rides with the wind at my back.
Reading and writing as often as I can.
Making moves in my career.
Getting better at math...seriously.

Be safe. Happy New Year.
Image from here.

diamond snowflake

Rich really outdid himself with my engagement ring. Not only is it a one of a kind Edwardian antique, but its a part of his family's history. Its thought that it belonged to his grandfather's grandmother or mother but the details are fuzzy on this point. I found out that he'd gotten his grandmother's blessing to propose to me with this particular ring almost a year ago. After his grandmother passed away this past fall he told his aunt who was holding on to it that it was time. He did a lot of research on its history, how it was made and where and got it cleaned up and learned about its history. It was made before 1900 in Ireland and is made of white gold and diamonds. There is some beautiful filigree in need of repair, which I plan to have done and needs a slight resizing. The center diamond is an old transition cut with ten small old mine cut diamonds surrounding it in a bezel setting and they came from the British Isles.
At first I wasn't really sure how I felt about it, but I think it was just the shock and the anxiety surrounding what a huge step this is in our lives. It reminds me of the first snowflake of the first snow. Sparkling and perfect and filled with hope and anticipation. Can you tell how happy I am?

by the christmas tree

Rich and I are getting married!
Last Friday night I came home after a happy hour with my work friends and was totally exhausted. The next day was our annual holiday party. Rich was cleaning and I was insisting we do it in the morning. He was behind the tree getting something out of the closet when I heard a crash. He told me an ornament fell and broke, and needed me to get the dustpan and broom. I went to the kitchen closet to get it and when I turned the corner there he was right by our Christmas tree, down on one knee.
I'm pretty sure after he asked I said, "Um, I guess."
I was stunned into complete silence and so nervous I couldn't stop shaking. A few days later it still doesn't even feel real yet. We talked until late into the night about how we wanted our married life together to be, and even if we're not always this perfectly happy it makes for a pretty good start. We're going to be a team for the rest of our lives and its the best Christmas gift I've ever received.

Note: Rich did really good by asking me while it was just us at home, the picture is from our party on Saturday night.

surprise party

Tomorrow is LK's 30th birthday, and having your birthday on such a major holiday as Christmas can be hard. To celebrate the occasion properly her boyfriend and cousin threw her a surprise party a few weeks ago. The plan was for her and Dave to celebrate his birthday the day before and meet up with her cousin for brunch the next morning. Little did she know that all of her favorite people would be waiting for her with balloons and champagne ready to celebrate.

Ali and Rebecca

SURPRISE!!

French toast, berries and champagne

The birthday girl...still totally surprised

Hey there handsome

Those balloons you could blow up with a straw we all had at parties as kids

Cheers!

Stepping back outside, I had almost forgotten it was the middle of the day

by train

Quick flights from city to city are convenient, but trains let you watch the land roll by and your thoughts unwind. Sure it takes longer, but whats the fun in traveling if you're only going to get to see the city streets?
When we were planning our trip we meant to spend the whole week in Brussels but it worked out that flights to Amsterdam were less expensive. The plan was to fly in to the Netherlands for the weekend and take a train south after a day or two. Good thing we didn't book flights from city to city because Amsterdam is magical and we ended up staying almost the whole week. The beauty of the train was that we didn't have to book anything in advance, we just showed up to the station and hopped on.
Changed trains in Rotterdam Got a quick peek at the city's bike lockers Had a midday picnic Treats! And arrived in a golden skied Brussels in the early evening