Surreal. This week has been a complete whirlwind – I’ve been full of mixed emotions.  I keep trying to put my thoughts into words but I can’t.  I’m not sure that I’ll ever be able to, but that’s okay.  There have been numerous events and fundraisers organized throughout the country to support this week’s horrific events and it’s truly amazing how generous people have responded.

Elated.  IT’S OVER and it’s time for us all to try our best to resume living our day-to-day lives.

Relieved.  I woke up this morning feeling a huge sense of relief…  For the city of Boston.  For all of the emergency response officials who put their lives on the line to keep the public safe.  For the transportation workers who helped transport officials to and from various sites.  For my family and friends who patiently remained in their homes yesterday after being told to shelter in place.

I originally shared this post on August 28, 2011 but in light of this weeks events, I want to share one of the most memorable moments from the time I lived in the beautiful city of Boston…

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I cannot believe that it’s already been a year…  We were sitting on the T [the Boston public transit system] headed downtown after dinner to walk through The Public Garden and get fro-yo at J.P. Licks.  Ryan is well aware of my fro-yo addiction and I like to think that he’s developed a special place in his heart for it too.

We got off the T, crossed the street, and started walking through the Garden.  If you’ve ever been to Boston you know how pretty the Garden is during the summer.  If you haven’t, I highly suggest that you plan a trip to visit!

We were strolling along, joking, and admiring the beautiful summer scenery.  We crossed the bridge and stopped to reminisce about the Swan Boat ride we took earlier in the summer.  We continued to walk and crossed the bridge towards Newbury Street aka the pot of gold of shopping…  It’s easy to spend the whole day perusing the shops!

As we were about to leave the Garden Ryan paused to tie his shoe but since we were holding hands, he pulled me back towards him when he knelt down.  I was getting anxious for fro-yo so I jokingly turned around and tried to yank him forward.  Still on his knee he said that he “had a rock in his shoe” so he untied it, took it off, shook it around, and eventually put it back on.  Thinking he was all set to go, I reached out for his hand to start walking again.

All of a sudden he reached into his back pocket and before my eyes there was a little, beautiful, blue velvet box sitting on his palm.

OH MY GOODNESS.  IT WAS HAPPENING.  HE WAS PROPOSING.  IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC GARDENS.  IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.  ON THE LAST NIGHT OF SUMMER. COULD THIS BE REAL?!  I FROZE.

Sure, we talked numerous times about how we thought getting engaged was naturally the next step in our relationship, but that was just talk.  He slid the ring onto my finger and I was stunned.  It was so bright, shiny, and beautiful – exactly the style I would have picked out myself.

I couldn’t speak.  I think I said “yes” but to be honest, I can’t remember because I was so caught up in the moment.  I started crying, jumping up and down, threw myself into his arms, and the words that came out of my mouth were gibberish.  I felt like the happiest girl in the world.

Floating on cloud 9, I began calling my friends…  Only problem was that I still couldn’t produce coherent sentences and since I had been smiling ear-to-ear my jaw was killing me.  Thankfully, it was soon relieved by fro-yo!

During the week before we drove up to Boston, Ryan met with my dad to ask for his blessing but unfortunately, he didn’t have an opportunity to meet with my momma.  Immediately after the proposal, I sent my momma a picture of the ring but I was so caught up in the moment that I didn’t realize that she never responded.  The next morning I called her to ask if she had seen the picture and she said no.  When I told her that Ryan proposed she was speechless.  In her mind, her daughter was just about to begin her senior year in college…  Was I going to drop out?  Was I going to forget about my future plans?  Was I pregnant?  NO, NO, and NO!

It took some time for my momma to accept that Ryan and I were engaged.  She didn’t understand why I felt the need to get engaged at such a young age.  As I explained to her, it felt like it was the natural next step in our relationship and the both of us couldn’t be happier.  I reassured her that I had no plans to quit school, to move home, and that I wasn’t pregnant.  I was going to finish my senior year, graduate, and get a job [and I did].  Sure, it was stressful at times, but it was worth it and my momma now truly considers Ryan a son.

The following July we hosted an engagement party and we had an absolute blast celebrating with our family and friends!  I’ll save pictures from that for another “Throwback Thursday” post…

I am engaged to the love of my life and I am confident that he loves me just as much.  He has supported me through hard times, provided me with a shoulder to cry on during the sad times, laughed with me through the silly moments, and has lent me his ear whenever I need to vent about anything.  As we say, we will be together always and forever ♥

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P.S.  We got married on September 3, 2012

Question:  Have you ever been to Boston?  What’s your most memorable moment?

Question:  Share your engagement story!  And if you’re not engaged, share your dream proposal!

— Allison