We're engaged!

Almost exactly two weeks ago, Dan and I were sitting at a sushi restaurant in Monterey overlooking the water with the sun setting in the sky after making our way down the coast. Before I even knew what was happening, one of the most beautiful rings I have ever seen was staring up at me and he was asking me to marry him. Wowzers! We've been enjoying being engaged ever since then. Its an amazing feeling to know that we will always be together and starting this next wonderful chapter. I made a few calls at the table - was able to reach my mom who sounded sleepy but overjoyed. We made our way back to the hotel - giddy with our new status. They sent champagne up to our room. Dan sent out a 'she said yes' text and the amount of love and support and congrats that has poured in ever since then has been unbelievable. Everyone is so happy for us and excited. Of course there are a lot of questions too about where and when - good questions that we have yet to determine the answers. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have sticker shock for most of last week. I really do want to enjoy the planning process and this pretty cool time in our lives. I have an appointment at Hitched a bridal boutique in Georgetown later on today to try my hand at a sample sale. If only wedding planning was like vacation planning...
The rest of the trip - the entire trip - was great. More on that later. I need to get moving now. Signing off for now - bride to be xo

west coast bound!

Within the hour, we are heading to the airport and flying west to San Francisco and I can hardly stand it! I am so excited about the next 10 days and exploring my old city with Dan. Its been over a year and a half - maybe closer to two - since I have been and a trip there is long overdue in my opinion. I can't wait to visit some of my old favorite spots and discover new ones, to see friends that I miss, to spend time catching up with extended family and to simply just take it all in. I don't want to be constantly checking my phone or distracted by one thing or another, I want to breathe in the cool, bay air. I want to winery hop and spend as much time as possible in my happy place. I want to marvel at how things change even just in a few years but how some things still feel the same. I want to see the city through a first-timers eyes and have my mind blown over and over again by the diversity and culture and culinary experiences that make up sf. We will be leaving the stickiness and sunshine of the east coast behind in exchange for fog and whatever else lies ahead of us. The other night I made a list of 30+ spots that I'd like us to try to go to. We will see how we do with that! Its a but ambitious but there is nothing wrong with having goals and doing what you can to achieve them.
I'm going going back back to Cali Cali!