Engagement 2007

The day before Thanksgiving, Kevin proposed on the steps of the New York Public Library. He wanted to propose before the holidays; we were spending Thanksgiving with my parents and Christmas with his mother's large family. It wasn't our first holiday together, as we had already spent Thanksgiving together in Charlottesville in 2006 with his mother, brother, and cousin Katie. But it was our first holiday together since wedding magazines had suspiciously appeared in our apartment.

Proposing!

Kevin texting his friend Briggs right before proposing.

He proposed in New York, where we plan to live when I graduate law school because I have a job waiting there. Presumably, he chose a library because as the wife of a writer and writing professor, our home will be one? He made his high school friend Jon jump out and take pictures as it was all happening. Clearly, Kevin gets me.

I said "Definitely!"

This is the only time I have seen the planet spin while sober. It is really something.

Celebrating.

I am happy.

Super happy.



NYPL picture.



Popping some champagne!


Cheers!

We stayed overnight in New York and checked out just in time to miss the Macy's Day Parade. Ha! Actually, I think I saw one float. That totally counts right?

Macy's Day Parade (sort of)


Thanksgiving dinner with my parents the next day - very happy!
(More in next post on Thanksgiving.)

Giving Blood 2006

For our sixth date, Kevin mentioned he had an appointment to donate blood Thursday morning, and I mentioned that it had been a while since I gave blood so I could join him. He called up and made an appointment for the two of us to go back to back.

He gave blood first while I was giving some intake information, and then I went. I got very cold while donating and asked for blankets. Then I started feeling feint when I was part way through. They asked if I wanted I wanted to stop but I know from previous experience that if you don't give the full pint they don't use it. I finished with the pint while Kevin watched me nervously from the other side of the room.

Afterwards we went back to my place to watch more Six Feet Under together, and he asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I said definitely.

Blood donation sticker in my planner.

Good First Date Yesterday! 2006

My coffee date yesterday night was great. Kevin is cute, super smart, and funny. It was a good time. He's 26 and he teaches at Bridgewater College.

I dressed up to go to the Downtown Mall. I was wearing a black fitted shirt and white jean skirt and white sandals with little heels. Sarah and Donald dropped me off Downtown. Kevin was sitting outside reading the New York Times. Apparently, he does this every Sunday. The first thing I noticed about him was his bushy hair and that he was cute. In that order.

Kevin got me a cappuccino while he sipped a green tea. He tried to impress me with his two-book contract and personal Dave Barry connection (I love Dave Barry). I probably shouldn't have told him that I don't believe in happiness. That wasn't a good move on my part.

Mudhouse in 2006- even from the angle at which I approached.

Maybe he thought some ice cream would make me reconsider happiness? After Mudhouse, he suggested we walk over to Chaps for dessert. I was charmed. He drove me home to Ivy Gardens and asked if I'd be interested in another date. I said, "definitely."