life is expensive

I've come to fully realize that life is extremely expensive. Along with the joys of committing to life together with an amazing person comes the full realization of all of the major purchases and decisions for the next year. Things like mortgage rates, reception halls and leases all of a sudden need to work together in a real budget for two real people.

I'm thankful for fellow sojourners in this like Lisa who desire to have similar lifestyle choices of living within one's means. Derek and I made an agreement four days after getting engaged that we could drastically eliminate our eating-out habits. So far, I think we're doing well. One of my favorite evenings with him was a $.53 coffee outing and hours of good conversation. I'm also thankful for the onset of sunny and warm weather, where I'm perfectly content to just walk in the park.

Much to my dismay, Beaner's raised their refill price from $1 to $1.25! Thankfully, they offer a 10% discount for students, and my MTS student card works. So for me, it's $1.12. Sill, a .12 increase over a year amounts to $17.28 a year if I get coffee three times a week!

Currently Reading: A Simply Beautiful Wedding - planning a celebration that is attractively economical, relationally healthy, spiritually enriching, less stressful & more enjoyable

Engaged!!

The secret's out - I'm engaged! Last Saturday (my birthday) Derek took me to an amazing dinner at the Gandy Dancer. We got dressed up and he had made reservations. Once we got there the waitstaff took us to this little, cozy alcove where there were a dozen red roses. I was shocked! Derek had already given me my birthday present, so I wasn't expecting anything else.

During dinner I asked him, 'Do you have anything else planned?'. I suggested we walk around downtown, or go gaze at the stars. But I could tell he had another surprise, and I had no idea what it was. I also said, 'This has been the best birthday ever. Do you realize what you've done - there's no way that you'll be able to come even close to matching this next year!'

After dinner we decided to get dessert. Derek was pushing me to choose cheesecake (normally my favorite) or Key Lime Pie, but finally we decided on chocolate cake. When the waiter brought it out, there was a ring on top! I was stunned. Derek asked me to marry him and I said YES!

Then we called family and headed to my parent's house. It was a fun celebration. Whew - what a week. It's been great to talk to all of my good friends and share such good news with them. I've been overwhelmed by God's goodness. Derek is such an amazing man - someone who loves God, loves me, and really wants to spend the rest of his life with me.

Derek and I are excited. The question everyone asks is 'When's the wedding?' We don't know [yet], but have decided that it won't be this summer, or in September. So the earliest will be mid-October. And I don't expect him to top this birthday next year!