One Year Ago...

On this very day, one year ago... Dan got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

I'm lucky enough to have been surrounded by friends who all knew of the surprise.  (And, boy, was it ever a surprise.  I thought I was going over to a friends house for pizza and movie night.  I was in yoga pants and a hoodie.)  They took pictures, there is a recording, and so many people were around to toast us with champagne.

It's interesting to hear the stories people have.  One friend was whisked off to New York on a surprise weekend and he did it on a carriage ride through Central Park.  Another friend, finished a triathlon with her fella and the very next day he walked her out on a pier and asked her the magic question.  For the longest time, my favorite story was of a friend who got 11 roses before a date with her guy.  He called the florist and yelled at them.  At the end of their date, one rose sat on her doorstep.  He told her that like the bouquet was not complete without the one rose, his life would not be complete without her. (It's ok, you can 'awww' there.)

Our story tells me a few things.  First, Dan has a lot of... guts.  It takes so much courage to command the attention of a room, to lay your heart out and ask someone to marry you.  Second, I'm a crier.  I have no barrier for emotions of any sort.  If I feel it, you're probably going to be able to tell.  Thirdly, that there are a lot of people that love us.  To be in a room filled with people, and then to have to leave that room after the first toast to call so many people to share in our news is amazing.  And lastly, that the people that mean the most to us are peppered throughout the country.

To have our wedding anywhere would have forced some friends and family to travel.  We understand that not everyone can travel.  Some people don't like flying, some have prior commitments, some have budgetary constraints.  We have heard a lot of "I'm so sorry but we will not be able to make it."  It's OK, Punta Cana is far and expensive.  We wanted to share the love we felt one year ago today with our friends and family no matter if they would be attending or not.  With that being said, keep an eye on your mailbox.

Love, Carly (and Dan)