Where.Have.I.Been?!

Ok, so I know it’s been since December the last time I blogged… and I honestly have no good excuses for why I haven’t, so I’m just going to jump right back in.

Over the past month, so many new and exciting things have taken place in my life. I had the honor of being a part of one of my best friend’s wedding. Of course, we made sure to follow through with all of the typical wedding festivities, with the bachelorette party obviously being the MOST important! We had a fun girls weekend in Nash-vegas. I think it was a weekend that was much needed for all of us. As a mushy side note, I am so thankful that this group of girls has let me join their little clan. I can’t even begin to explain how much I have enjoyed their friendships thus far. I’m looking forward to many more fun, eventful times with this crew!

Nash-vegas with the ladies.

Mr. and Mrs. Clements

The night before this beautiful wedding, I get a phone call that another of my very best friends in the ENTIRE world is engaged! What a weekend for love! I am just thrilled that I'm going to be able to be a part of their special day as well.

The *future* Mrs. Brantley.

Then, (and I think this one’s the COOLEST)… I got a big ole’ fat ROCK from my favorite person in the entire world. And not even just that, I actually get to marry him and spend the rest of my life going on adventures with him! How did he propose, you ask? Well, I’d be more than happy to share that adventure with you. 

I mean this boy did GOOD!

It all started out with a gorgeous morning drive from Pell City to meet with up with my crew at Palisades Park. We had been planning on climbing for a couple weeks and were thrilled that the weather that day was going to be so perfect. I got there a little before everyone else, so I had some time to myself to sit on top of the rock/mountain and just enjoy some quiet time. I had a lot on my mind (which you’ll find out more about later…). Everyone arrived, dogs in tow, and we hiked down to the bottom to set up our climbing spot. We picked a place where we could top rope with two ropes, that way more than one person could be climbing at a time. One of the ropes was also positioned so that if anyone wanted to rappel, they could. We strung up a few hammocks, suited up in our harnesses and got to climbing. After a bit, it was decided that our fabulous photog friend should tie in at the top and get some stellar pics from that angle. So one person climbed and he photographed her. Super cool pics. Then, it came my turn again. I must say, this is the hardest wall I’ve climbed yet (being a newbie, still, and all), but I decided to try my luck. The dude belaying me was super encouraging and we even documented a few pictures of my trying to give up… but he just wouldn’t let me! I HAD to make it to the top. Boyfriend (at the time!) decided somewhere amidst all of this that he wanted to rappel down the other rope. After he made sure I hit the top, he talked me into jumping down a bit and trying to swing over to him so we could get a sweet little picture together hanging on the side of the wall. I feel like it took me 87 tries to swing over to him, but we finally grabbed hands… and the sign of relief on his face was overwhelming (looking back now, of course!).  He said some incredibly sweet, love-y things that I’ll keep between us and pulled out a gorgeous ring from his pocket. At this point, I think I might have screamed, laughed, cried and thrown my head back in excitement a dozen times. And of course I said YES, that I would love to marry him! The photog captured every moment of this joyous occasion, even the part where FIANCÉ slipped the ring on my shaking, excited hand… without dropping it, might I add.

Happiest day of my life... so far.

So not only have I been a part of a wedding AND gotten engaged in the past month, but I was offered a wonderful job in Denver, Colorado… so we’re MOVING! Talk about a busy month! Fiancé is driving me out west next week and will help get me settled in before flying back the following weekend. He will be at least a month before he can move… so I’ll have a lot of work to do in finding us a new home! This move will most definitely be a bittersweet one. I am so looking forward to this next adventure in our lives together… and could not be more thrilled to be able to share it with him! The downside is that we can’t pack up our friends and family and move them with us. Speaking for both of us, I know that we could not have gotten where we are today without the support from these people in our lives. Our families have helped mold us into who we are, and being so far away from them will certainly be a challenge. They will, however, now have a good excuse to take a vacation out west!  

I know this post has been rather nostalgic, but that’s how I’ve been feeling lately. I guess the thoughts of not only moving so far away, but of getting to start a married life with the man of my dreams, have made me so much more aware of the people in my life and the way they have impacted my life through the years. So… enough of the gushy stuff… now you’ll just have to hold out for pictures and stories of our upcoming adventures! I’ve promised friends, family, and co-workers that I’d keep this little ole’ blog updated with the goings on in our lives. Just so you can have a little taste of the FUN we’ll be having.

Cheers!