The beginning of something new

I have been a bit quiet on the blog lately because it has been a very exciting time in life.

August brought our Alaskan vacation and, at the end of the moth, a visit from S’s parents.

Work has been challenging yet rewarding. I started a new project in mid-July, one that seemed very simple but is hopelessly complex. But last week made it all worthwhile with an amazing surprise — a permanent place on the team I’ve been working with on a rotation.

But there is bigger news yet — S and I are getting married! This is probably the least surprising news I could share with you (as S’s mom said, “I knew this was going to happen when you bought this house. He would never do something like this if he wasn’t sure.”), but it was so perfect. So us. So simple.

I’m still savoring the details myself, but suffice it to say that he asked and I said yes.

But the best part was that we were able tell his parents and my parents after lunch together. He know how important that was to me and he made it happen!

Our wedding is going to be like us — easy, simple, and personal. We hope to have a small wedding for just our parents and our siblings in — and this is the best part! — Hawai’i! Instead of choosing Mexico or Seattle, why not just meet in the middle? There are many details to be determined, but next fall we’ll be saying “I do!” on Maui or The Big Island.

I know what you’re thinking — oh great. This is going to be a wedding blog for the next year, filled with color schemes and dress ideas and bride drama.

But please don’t fear. I see this process through different (older?) eyes now. There might be a wedding post thrown in here or there, but I have a sense they will center on the craziness of the wedding industry or the bridezilla having a meltdown in the dressing room next to mine.

Because, really, it’s not about a wedding. My life isn’t about to center upon a glorified party. This engagement is about a four-year relationship, built upon mutual love and trust. It’s been a wonderful partnership, one that has both challenged and sustained me through some of the darkest times of my life.

So, yeah. Dresses and flowers and cake are great, but let’s not sweat the small stuff, shall we?

xo, Sarah

P.S. From the 49th state to the 50th, I really really do want to share more about our travels this summer. Stay tuned!