My FI and I both graduated from a small school in a small town in WA. We hung out with the same people, ate lunch together, but never were a couple until after we graduated. After high school, we went our separate ways. During the summer before my sophomore year in college we started talking again, while he was home on leave. We went on a couple dates before he went back to NC. And then, I’m pretty sure we fell in love with each other over the phone. I did, at least. About three months after he left, I found myself on airplane, flying alone, across the country for the first time (and certainly not the last). It was kind of a spontaneous decision. I bought the tickets ten days before I left. I’m not a spontaneous person and at the time, not a very experienced traveler. I checked a bag that of course, was lost during my travels. I was with him for 26 hours and flew home just in time for work on Sunday. Love makes you do silly things. And now here we are about a year and a half later, happily engaged.

            I’m currently at a university working on a degree in chemistry. I can’t wait to graduate from college, I enjoy my lab time and most of my classes, but I don’t love the stress. Almost done, though. During the summers and weekends I work as a student MA at a Pediatricians office. I love love love my job and feel so blessed to work with some awesome coworkers, doctors, and kids. I couldn’t have asked for a better job during college, I’m going to miss it when I move to NC. 

            My FI is a field mp in the Marine Corps. He just got back from his first deployment to Afghanistan a couple of months ago. I missed him so much; I don’t even want to think about it now that he is back in the states. His career interests change a lot, but I love that about him. It’ll be interesting to see where life takes us after he is done serving.  

I was debating on whether to make these, but two of my bridesmaids live so far away that I definitely can't ask them in person. So, I thought these would be a cute way to ask them, AND I already had all of the materials, so they were basically free. :) Just got out the scrapbooking stuff. I also FINALLY opened up the calligraphy kit I got for Christmas 2 years ago -- I need a lot more practice, but hopefully I'll muster up the courage to address my invitations when the time comes.

            I got my shoes in the mail the other day from Endless.com! I love them so much. They are Hendrix by Caparros! The picture from my phone makes them look like a different color, but they definitely look purple (like the photos from the website) in real life. They are easy to walk in, too!

            They didn’t come in the “priority mail” box in the background of my picture below, but that box came the same day. It is one of the packages I sent FI while he was in Afghanistan! It went to Afghanistan and never got  to him, so here it is at my doorstep seven months after I sent it. One of the sides busted open. Ha. I wonder how many more will come back , because he definitely didn’t get all the ones I sent him.

We had engagment pictures taken last Saturday with Melody from Aria Images in North Carolina. I love love love the sneak peeks she's been giving us and can't wait to get the rest. She was super fun to work with and I would definitely recommend her. :)

Here are some of the sneak peeks...