For the first 50 years of my life, my perfectionist self mistakenly believed it was all about knowing more, getting it right, planning, attempting to prevent bad things from happening, and keeping all of my chicks in a row. It took me this long to discover that the JOURNEY is all that matters. This quote from Gilda Radner sums it all up:

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
"


Thursday, January 2, 2014

Will You Marry Me?


On the Saturday before Christmas, we made a road trip back home.
To Burlington.
My sister, Lori.  Me.  Kerry.  Hali.  
 Emily and Joe.

Packed snug in my suitcase was a very special turquoise box.
From Tiffany's.
We were keeping it hidden from Emily.


After checking into the Hotel Vermont, we walked through the cold, icy/rainy night to the Daily Planet for dinner.
During dinner,  Kerry went to the bathroom with Emily and we gave the ring to Joe to put in his pocket.

Lori's high school friends, Lisa and Pat (Fr. Pat now) met us for dinner too.   My niece, Jamie, came later to join us for drinks.
They were unaware of what they were about to witness.


When we left the restaurant, the rain and sleet had stopped momentarily. A normally bustling Church Street was deserted because of the storm.

Church Street looked magical.

We walked to the top of the street near the large Christmas tree.
This was the planned spot.


We took a few pictures in front of the tree.
(Kerry, Emily, Hali and Lori)

 Lori, Fr. Pat and Lisa


Then Emily and Joe.


At that point, Joe turned to Emily and began talking to her.
We couldn't hear what was said, but we didn't need to.
It was written all over Emily's face.

He got down on one knee and took the box out of his pocket. 
Opening it to show her the beautiful diamond ring, 
he proposed.







I believe he got the answer he wanted to hear.




 It fit perfectly.



Everyone was excited, but cold.
We walked back toward the hotel. 



The news was out on social media within minutes!


Fr. Pat couldn't stay to celebrate with us at the hotel bar, but before he left the family gathered around for a prayer.

Then more hugs and more pictures.


The evening ended with a toast to the Emily and Joe
followed by talk of wedding plans...



I was so happy to be a part of it all.
A special couple
in a special town
on a special night
with special people.

Congratulations Emily and Joe!

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