Weddingbee Blog

You would think that after nearly eight years with Sparks, I would have some idea that an engagement was coming. But I didn’t. I had NO clue. I mean, I knew we would get married one day and, to do that, Sparks would eventually have to ask me. But I just never expected it to happen when it did.

Not just another birthday dinner…

Let me give you a little background info here. When Sparks and I moved to Chicago, it was the first time we had lived together in our entire dating history. It was a really big deal for me. Not only because I was moving in with him, but because I really gave up my entire life in North Carolina to do it. We had been living in NC ever since we graduated, and I felt like I was leaving behind my job, my family, and my friends. Now, before you get angry with me for doing something so ridiculous, let me explain. The timing started to become eerily perfect for this life-changing move. Shortly after Sparks dropped his Chicago deadline on me, I got laid off from my job (ouch), three of my best friends moved away, and the lease ran out on my apartment. It felt like the stars were aligning and pointing me in the direction of Chicago. It was tough to ignore.

NC memories: Sparks and Groomsman PD with Ramses; River Dog in the OBX

Regardless, I hemmed and hawed about it for a few weeks, making up my mind only to change it five minutes later. Honestly, it all felt like the beginning of a really bad relationship story: “Girl moves to Chicago with her man. Girl gets dumped and left alone in the big city.” I was scared.

But eventually I realized, hey, I’ve been with this guy for seven years now; it’s time to take a chance and see what happens. And it wasn’t like Chicago would be the worst city to be stranded in? Right? So less than a month later, I was staring at the Chicago skyline from the passenger seat of Sparks’s car. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that? I sold my car, too.

About four months into our big Chicago move, everything seemed to be going swimmingly. Sparks and I both liked our new jobs, River Dog was happy with the big park across the street, and we were close to some of our best friends in the world. What wasn’t to like? While I loved my new city (maybe even more than Sparks loved it!), I still felt unsettled. I just couldn’t shake the thought that I would be horribly alone if anything happened with Sparks. Depressing, I know.

So I started getting a little impatient, a little needy, a little…ahem…pushy. I wanted a proposal. It’s embarrassing to admit that. I tried so hard to be independent and tough, but I felt like I needed some reassurance after giving up so much to be with Sparks. The poor guy put up with it for a long time before he snapped. And when he did snap, I realized (like soooo many other of you out there who have done the same thing), that he WAS planning on proposing. But he wanted to do it the right way.

After that fight I really, honestly, put any thought of an engagement out of my head. It was the MOST freeing thing, you guys. I just decided that my life was pretty awesome at the moment, and I wasn’t going to try and rush anything. Sparks and I proceeded to have one of the greatest summers of our lives. (Chicago in the summer? Come. On.) And when he asked me to pick a restaurant to celebrate my birthday at that July, I had no idea that he was secretly planning a much bigger surprise.

Best summer ever? We bought a scooter…

…went to some concerts (Sister Sparkler and BF on the left)…

…and drank on the beach.

Did anyone else make a big move or give up a lot to be with your significant other? How did it turn out?

Part 2 is coming your way soon!

(all personal photos)