Engaging daily

I might have taken "Julie & Julia" too seriously because I'm going to blog about my engagement and wedding with the hopes someone turns it into a book. Yes, I'm engaged. Chris proposed to me on Christmas Eve in front of my whole family. It was ballsy and brave and sweet and wonderful. I said yes and it's on.

Sooooo, in the hopes of getting a book deal that will secure my future, I'm going to write about the wedding. It's the only thing people want to talk to me about anyway so why not? Seriously, it's as if life before the engagement ceased to exist and now I'm in weddinglandia. I've been advised to enjoy it and will my best to.

I had actually hoped that Chris would propose during the holidays. He did and now I look like the good guy, not the person who was going to pressure him about it in the new year.

So many thoughts have gone through my head these past days. The fact that my sleeping around days are over. That I've picked a partner who will make a great dad. That I love Chris' politeness and dorkiness and thoughtfulness. That I never thought I'd end up with someone like him: He's a straight arrow for the most part. He didn't sleep around. He hasn't taken drugs. He's not a stoner.

The fact that I'm taking the plunge in my late '30s is also a game changer. I'm not a giddy bride-to-be, giggling and telling everyone I can think of about the news. I've been spreading the news slowing, making sure I actually speak to my friends/family to tell them, not leave a message or send a text. I had been trying to tell a friend about the engagement for days but every time I called her, she returned the call with a text message. Then she asked me why it took me so long to tell her. Uh, it wouldn't have if she had actually picked up the phone to call.

Neither my mother nor Chris' mother was excited about the news. My mother was not smiling when the rest of the family was going wild during the proposal. Was it shock? Disapproval? Same with Chris' mom. He announced the news right after we had taken our seats for Christmas dinner. It was Chris, his sister, his mother, and his mother's roommate and no one got out of their seats after hearing the news. No one got up to hug me. It was like, "That's great. Can you pass the butter?" Later in car Chris said his mother was happy, she just didn't show it. I can't complain, my mother was the same way.

Our fathers were much more vocal about their excitement/approval. My dad was happy and congratulatory. His father and stepmother had him call me as soon as they heard. That was nice. They were excited and offered to assist us in wedding planning in any way possible.