the proposal: part dos.

If you haven't read the first post, start here. 

So we're hanging out at Martin's 'surprise' party and celebrating with our families, when Mart looks at me and says "We have to go now." Obviously, I ask lots of questions and he answers none of them. 

We drove all the way out to Mart's family's cabin, and when we pull up he tells me that all of our friends are here and they think they're at a surprise party for me. I took off my ring and hopped out with my 'surprised' face on. Apparently while they were waiting, someone suggested that we might be getting engaged--since my birthday isn't until the 19th. After we got out of the car, we let them search for my left hand and then watched the disappointment on their faces as they all walked back inside. Finally someone got brave and said "Well, happy birthday but we thought we were going to tell you Happy Engagement too." I immediately got giddy and pulled the ring out of my pocket, which created mass chaos. It was just as exciting as getting to tell our families, and I wish I had it all on film. 

Sweet Mal even got us a cake.  

Raymond Street family, even Callie made the trip. 

Our best Greenwood friends/favorite newlywed couple, the Belks. 

Martin's secret keeper. He couldn't have picked a better one. 

So thankful that all of our friends made the effort to come all the way to Greenwood, just for a birthday party, and that they were there to celebrate with us after another surprise. We are so grateful for each of you and the things that you have brought to our lives. Whether it's been a 20 year friendship or a 5 year friendship, you all mean the world to us and we loved being able to share this with you. 

And to Mart, you surprised me friend. At some point in the last seven years, I boldly declared "You'll never be able to surprise me" and you pulled out something beyond my wildest dreams. This weekend could not have been more perfect, and I am so thankful for the lengths that you went to for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you more than you know and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. 

the proposal

Disclaimer: There are lots of surprise parties involved in this story, and lots of lies. We do not all lie this much in real life. At least I hope not. 

So last week, while I'm making super awesome plans for Friday night to celebrate Martin's birthday, I get a phone call from Mart's mom telling me all about the surprise party she has decided to have for Martin...on Friday night. Being the very logical person that I am, I stress for about an hour trying to figure out how I am going to get Mart to a surprise party without him a) disappointing his mother during the week by talking about how excited he is to have dinner with his friends or b) throw a fit when his mother asks him to 'run some errands' at 6:30 on a Friday night. So I tell him about the party. 

Good fiancee move #1: Ruining a surprise party that someone has planned for themself. Then crying like an idiot for thirty minutes about it and apologizing. Oh, and remember that text message I cried about last week, that wasn't about a birthday present. 

Friday rolls around. We go back to Greenwood. I am at Martin's house and his mother tells me to come around 6:15 and then she would send him out until his family could get there. Okay, certainly I can handle that because Martin already knows. I go home and shower and primp and put on an American Eagle tank top from 2009 out of my sisters' closet because I didn't like what I brought. I leave for town telling my mother, sisters and dad to be at Martin's surprise party at 7:00. 

Good fiancee move #2: I'm late. I don't think it really mattered, but I was late. And I'm never late. And I picked today to be late. 

So I get to town and Mrs. Pam immediately sends us out the door to pick up a gift for Martin's sister, Melissa {it was actually her birthday on Friday, and Martin 'thought' the surprise party was for her. And I didn't think twice about it} at her best friend from high school's house. Well, this also happens to be the same family that taught me riding lessons since I was a tiny tot. Mrs. Pam mentions that Martin has never seen the barn and Jan said to show him around while we are there. So as we're walking out the door, I casually say "Of course. That's my favorite place in the whole world."

We get there and hop out of the car and I'm snapping away with my new camera, without a care in the world. 

And before I knew what was going on, Mart was on one knee and this was on my hand. 

I cried like a baby. Mart said the first thing I actually said was "Is this real?" He had to ask me to move my hands from my mouth so he could put the ring on my finger. He got me. 

So we head back to Mart's for his 'surprise' party shortly after and I sob all the way back into town. This wasn't helped by the fact that he played "Oh Heavenly Day," "Have a Little Faith in Me," and Train's "Marry Me" in the car on the way home. I just melted. 

We walked in for Mart's surprise party where our families were waiting. His mom, dad and sisters knew. My mom and sisters didn't have a clue. Everyone yelled 'Surprise' and I melted again before I told them we were engaged. It was precious. 

To be continued... 

WE'RE ENGAGED!

Well, I'm beyond thrilled to say that Martin and I are getting married! 

The past 24 hours have been an absolutely roller coaster and I can't even begin to describe how grateful we are to our family and friends for all of the love and support they've shown through all of the excitement. 

I still haven't had time to sit down and process it all, and I feel like I'm writing a post about someone else's life right now. {cue the tears}

I couldn't be happier to be marrying my best friend. 

Be back soon with all the juicy details. 

mart's day of birth.

As some of you may know, I like this boy. Can't you tell? 

And we go way back. 

 And since this is birthday number seven that we're celebrating together, I though I would share with you some things that we've learned over the years. 

We've learned to help each other when one of us can't string a suction-cup bow and arrow.

Or when one of us gets too hot. 

 We've learned that we're pretty funny. One of us at least, your choice as to who that is. {cough cough}

 We've learned to never pretend like we like each other in public...

 ...ever.

We've learned how to dress up for every occasion...

...especially when it involves tie-dye... 

...or just anything outrageous. 

 We've learned how to slip-n-slide. And that it's a bad idea in February. 

 We've learned about wildlife...

...lots of wildlife. 

We've also learned that we have awesome friends. 

Happy birthday Mart. I'm thankful to keep learning awesome life lessons with you. As ridiculous as they may continue to be. Congrats on being 23... oh, wait. 

And if anyone is feeling funny this morning, give him a shout-out. 

@martintrib