Holy Cows, I am getting married on May 2, 2013!

[May2DisneyGirl]

Kellie and Ted's Escape Wedding - May 2, 2013 - WP/GF/Spirit of Aloha

Ok, I admit it, I am addicted to the DISboards and DISbrides on FB. Enough that I am bummed that my wedding is only 4 months away -- I won't have an excuse to spend all my time on the boards after that! So anyway, since I have become such a lurker (and total slacker at my job), I thought I would start my own PJ, hopefully to get some feedback and "meet" some fellow DISbrides, but also to help me plan and remember this crazy time! I am going to follow the lead of a future DISbride from the boards and create a Table of Contents that I can add to as I go forward. It's a bit lean right now.

About Us:
I am Kellie, 39 years old (ouch), never married but I have a DD who is 20 (double ouch). I grew up in North Carolina but moved to Park City, Utah in 2005 with DF and DD and our dog, Stinker. I love it here and have moved from being a couch potato to being pretty active -- not fit, but active. We ski, telemark, windsurf, SUP and mountain bike -- Utah is beautiful that way . DF is Ted, 47 and never married. He is the one who introduced me to all of the above activities (and to Utah). He is my best friend and what keeps me sane most of the time. We are pretty boring really. We work for the same company (where we met) in a home office. We spend 24/7 together -- seriously the only time we are apart is when one of us is in the bathroom. This will come into play later on.

The Wedding Plan:
Thursday, May 2, 2013 Escape Wedding
Welcome Hospitality Suite at the Contemporary Bay Lake Towers on Wednesday May 1
Ceremony -- 5pm at the Wedding Pavilion
Cake Cutting -- Grand Floridian
Dinner -- Spirit of Aloha (we didn't want a formal reception and are hoping for a fun atmosphere)
Dessert Party -- Illuminations at Epcot (currently UK, hopefully lower) on Friday May 3

Table of Contents - work in progress
The Bride and Groom
Our Story
The Proposal
The Engagement Ring!

Thanks for reading!!

 

[May2DisneyGirl]

I started work for my company in November of 2000 after finishing my MBA. My officemate Denise was talking one day about this guy at work that she thought was "so hot" -- lucky for me, Denise was married! Anyway, she and I were on our way back from a coffee break in late November when she started poking me and giggling saying "there he is!" (mind you, Denise was 45 at the time and DF turned her to mush every time she saw him). And there he was. I still remember that first sight -- green wool sweater, Levi jeans, boots, cute glasses and floppy hair. WHOA. I was hooked. He didn't notice me at all.

Fast forward about 6 weeks. Since I had just started at the company, I only had one day of vacation for the year. Being new and the only person around during Christmas (so it seemed), I sat around and twiddled my thumbs and wished for someone to chat with. And then, on pretty much the last day that everyone was out, I was coming back from a vending machine run, when I ran into DF. He smiled, introduced himself and we started chatting -- both of us were pretty bummed out that we didn't realize the other was around over the holidays. Anyway, that started a friendship - DF would swing by my desk to chat (while Denise drooled), we would grab a coffee and then we progressed to lunch. Oh, the bad news -- DF had recently started seeing someone! ARGH. Dream man and he's taken. Oh well, he was a good friend. He would walk me to my car when I would leave my office at night, carrying my bag. I thought he was just a neat guy and sparks were flying, but alas, he was still taken.

During that time, my DD was having some problems adjusting in school -- long story short, her teachers thought she was high-functioning autistic -- I thought she was just shy and liked to act like a dog or a dinosaur. We were having tons of parent / teacher meetings and it was very stressful. Well one night, DF was walking me to my car, through the halls of a rather large major corporation, when he breaks into a dinosaur walk -- screeching and all! It was late and no one was around, but I am convinced security got a good laugh at the video footage. Anyway, not only was I cracking up at this 35 year old man acting like a dinosaur, but that was when I knew it would be all right with my DD. DF is a successful engineer and he just likes to goof around. Without me ever telling him about DD and her struggles, he totally eased my mind and all was right with the world. He was still taken by the way.

A few months later, DF and I were still great friends, hanging out at work all the time for long lunches or coffee or late nights flirting. He was living with his girlfriend about an hour from work and things weren't going too well. One night, he just moved out of her place and moved in with me and DD temporarily. That was it, we have been together ever since. As friends. We defined ourselves as "friends, financial partners and mutual caregivers of Sam (DD)". We have never ever defined ourselves as boyfriend / girlfriend. Not ever. We have always loved each other but called ourselves friends only. We have some differences (I am financially inept and that causes problems) but we are best friends.

We moved to Utah in 2005 -- DF was very unhappy at work and I said "hey, what if we can take our jobs to Utah, would you be happy" -- he would and we did.

Fast forward 7 years. DF and I are still "friends", living together, caring for DD (who is in college at this point) and Stinker. I don't foresee us moving to another point in our relationship and honestly, that was hard. I am also at the point where I kind of need to decide if I want more children. The BIG 40 is around the corner and all that. I did some serious soul searching and the answer was that I want to spend the rest of my life with this man, with or without children, with or without being married. Marriage, 2.4 kids and a dog isn't necessary but Ted is. Cool, I am happy, satisfied and life is good.

 

[May2DisneyGirl]

Well, I am not as bright as I thought -- I don't know how to link from the Table of Contents and I don't know how to post pictures! If anyone can help, I would appreciate it!

And on to the good part..........

was great! We hit the mall two times and were separated from each other for a total of two hours maybe. DF kept joking that he was going to pull my Dad aside on the vacation and ask him to loan us some money. Based on my financial history, I am pretty uncomfortable talking about money and loans and got a little freaked out. I didn't get MAD exactly but I seriously pushed No. DF thought it would be hilarious! We arrive in Las Vegas on a Tuesday -- it was 115 degrees, no joke. The second day we are there, two things were planned -- one was a trip to Laughlin and the other was the beginning of the 24 hour buffet of buffets (as many Harrah's buffets as you want in 24 hours). We hang out in Laughlin and DF leaves for a bit to hang out with my Dad. He comes back to tell me that he had approached Dad for money and Dad just laughed, so I think the joke went well but no harm done. We leave Laughlin and head back to Vegas to start our 24 hours of buffet eating at the Rio. I am sucker for buffets and ate way too much.

The next day, we have plans to buffet and walk along the strip, but in the morning, my Mom and I have some planned girl time. DF, DD and my Dad are going to cruise the strip and hang out between buffets. As we were leaving our hotel room (which was an awesome suite on the 26th floor of the Flamingo overlooking the strip and Caesar's), DF asks what he should do if he wants to buy something, should he bring a backpack. I know our DD was carrying a small. flimsy pack so I ask him "are you thinking a mug or a bracelet from Tiffany's?" I should have known then - he never buys souvenirs. Anyway, after breakfast, Mom and I do a little shopping / girl time, then meet DF, Dad and DD for lunch. By this time, I was SO full and we were only on buffet #3 and hour 15 or so of our 24! So we are sitting at lunch and DD says, hey we are going to take our grandaughter out for a bit right now, see you for dinner. DF and I decide just to go back to the AC in our hotel room, watch some TV and take a nap. I painted my nails, which I rarely do. Then, about 15 minutes before we are to meet my family, we are goofing around in the living room of our suite, looking at the sunset, when I put my hand on the window and it moves! Freaky at 26 floors up. Then DF puts his hands over my eyes and says "what is your wish" -- well (yes, I am totally romantic here) my wish was to not fall out the window! DF says, let me show you my wish, wait right here. He goes to our daughter's room and comes out with a Tiffany bag. I freak out, totally thinking he went and bought me the bracelet that I mentioned in passing that morning. He hands me the bag and I pull out a ring box. And then he gets on one knee. I honestly don't remember what he said, I just kept crying and saying are you kidding me?

But yes, after 12 years of togetherness and friendship and ups and downs and all that, he asked me to marry him. And I said YES!

 

[bradleyjess]

That's so sweet!! I love it. Congrats!

 

[May2DisneyGirl]

That's so sweet!! I love it. Congrats!

Thank you! I see that you are in Raleigh, NC -- I grew up in Apex!

 

[bradleyjess]

How neat! I'm actually from Florida. We just moved here for work, but I really like the area!

 

[May2DisneyGirl]

How neat! I'm actually from Florida. We just moved here for work, but I really like the area!

It's a great area -- although it is SO huge compared to when I grew up there. Lots of families though. And awesome BBQ! We were there in December to see my parents and new nephew and things have changed a lot since I moved away in 2005. Has to be a bit different than Florida I would think?

 

[bradleyjess]

It's a ton different from south Florida, but pretty similar in culture to north Florida where I grew up. North Florida is very rural and slooooow paced haha. The weather is cooler here though!

 

[May2DisneyGirl]

Thanks to BradleyJess for helping me load pictures!

This is a picture of Ted and I in China in 2011 -- this is my favorite picture of us and I have it as the cover to my wedding book

And this is THE ring. As I mentioned before Ted and I had never, ever discussed marriage -- we didn't even really say we were dating. So he had no idea what I wanted except for two conversations -- once when we first met, I barely knew him and told him that I wanted a huge rock when I got married. And the second was a while ago when I discussed gold versus silver vs platinum with our DD. So I was pretty freakin' impressed with what he chose. I LOVE my ring. We got engaged on August 9 and I still stare at it every day. It sparkles like nobody's business. He did an awesome job .
(Ignore my old lady hands, they have looked all wrinkly forever)

And, since I am on a roll, this is a picture of us with DD at Benihana (just so you can see the whole family - minus the furbaby)

 

[wiigirl]

Thats awesome! Congrats!

 

[DinaBina]

Awesome and congrats can't wait to read your story!!!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Just found your journal. I love your live story. Cant wait for more.