I'm back!

Well, according to the brand new and improved Blogger, long time, no blog. Please to forgive, been busy.

So, why am I back after more than 2 years? I'm getting married! In T minus 11 weeks! Eeeeek! Super excited, super scared, very nervous and mildly stressed :-) The story? Here goes...

The monkey and I have known for a while that we want to get married and get on with it, but there have been conditions and prerequisites and things and it just wasn't happening. This year, we decided would be it, though and we proceeded to get our butts into gear. But no ring was forthcoming. Mother dearest started wondering whether she was organising a fantasy and mom in-law started wondering whether one or both of us had lost the plot.
As my birthday came closer and we started talking jewels, I was wondering whether now would be the time, but no, it came and went. Heck, my mom and I went dress shopping while we sent the monkey off to go find me a ring, which he didn't (apparently the stars hadn't aligned). We have a date and a theme and a guest list, but no ring. Heck, the save the dates had gone out!
Then, it's our fifth anniversary and it is a wonderful weekend which comes and goes without any rings involved... I'm getting worried. And I'm still trying to help him find a ring, which seems to worry him.
We finally decide to make up for a few things we didn't do on our anniversary on Wed 4 July. We'll have a nice dinner, which we'll prepare together, we'll spend quality time, etc.
Needless to say, I rush home from work to get things started while Mister is at Ultimate, only to have him walk in the door 10 minutes later looking rather disappointed to see me there. Apparently he had wanted to make dinner and all that for me while I worked late.
Well, after much to-ing and fro-ing on my part (I swear, I had a lot to do), he'd finally had enough and blocked my escape from the kitchen. He told me what a great team we are and how well we work together and how that is part of the reason he wants to marry me (I, of course, kept up a running commentary). Then he asked me to be his wife and after managing to wrestle his way out of my hug, presented me with the most beautiful ring. A ring he had been hiding since May - my birthday.
And that is the story. I've seldom been so happy as that evening and since. I love the fact our engagement was so typically us and I love him for managing to make everything so perfect, even if it doesn't seem conventional from outside.

And now I am in the middle of a very short engagement, planning a wedding, house hunting, studying and trying to cope with Season at work. And I think now is a good time to say thank you to a few people:

My mom - for always being supportive and calming, even when she was totally losing it herself for various reasons.
My future in-laws - for accepting me into their lives and that of their only child. For helping us always, with advice or by listening or by just not looking at us funny. For clearing the way with their rather large family and for always trying to find solutions to the sticky situations.
Lisa - she drives me dilly, but when I need her, she's there.
Michele - jumping in with all those dresses.
Audrey - she keeps me sane. She offers sensible, current advice and even though she is very far away, she's the best maid of honour any bride could wish for.
Dani - yes, she's worthy of mention. She listens to me gripe and she does stuff for me that really should be done by my bride's maids. Like cut out invites and look for shoes and give instant advice. She's also taking me drinking and will throw rocks at anyone who cries at the wedding without reason. Provided she's not too busy making goo-goo eyes at the next person on my list...
Corné - OH, MY WORD! Where has he not jumped in? Monkey's bachelor's, wedding dress, shoes, suit, the most amazing invites, decor ideas, photos, hair & makeup! Everything, he's there for it. When I have random bridal break-downs and the monkey is in Jhb, he'll come over and listen to me until 04:00 in the morning. We're lucky to have him around.
Elsabé - our lanterns are awesome!!!! Our flower girl will be pretty as anything and I know that I can always call on someone with a good head on her shoulders and the most amazing ability for problem solving.

These people have played a great part in making our day special and I look forward to sharing it with them. But most importantly, thank you to my amazing fiancee. Without him, life would be less bright, less fun, less beautiful. Thank you for making me the happiest woman. And on a sappy, but heart-felt note, thank God for all these people and for this wonderful man.

Bridezilla, out