SO NY is next on my "TO DO list" and even though Morgan didn't propose the first day, I'm just too excited to write this down finally {after 2 months of being engaged, I'm terrible.} Don't you worry though - I'll still be posting the rest of the trip. So without further ado.....
ok so... Monday, January 3rd Morgan and I woke up at my Grandma & Pa Bennett's and Grandma made us breakfast, even though I told her not to make us anything the whole time we were there. Then we got showered, ready and walked to the E. Rockaway train station and caught our train into Penn Station. Pretty much the whole time we were in NY we just planned the first thing we wanted to go do during our train ride that morning and then after that just went wherever our feet took us.
This day we decided Grand Central Station and Rockafeller Center. So we walked our little butts off, saw where they filmed Madagascar {ha}, went to the big-kid Lego store, saw all the ice skaters and big ole christmas trees, and got lunch. I can't remember where. After we decided to check out the Modern Museum of Art {MoMA} and it was awesome {I got to see Starry Night, ahhh!}. We spent a loooong time in there - so by the time we left the sun was setting. So I thought that it would be a great time to go to Times Square in all its lit-up glory for Morgan's first time {seriously, it was my idea}. So we traipsed to 47th St. and went in store after store, as I showed Morgan all the fun places I love and have been to countless times with my family. Especially the places that I went to on the surprise 18th birthday {and Christopher's simultaneous 8th birthday} trip and when I went with my mom & her friend Christina 4 years back.
As we left Toys R Us. {yes, Toys R Us} I remembered we were close to the intersection of 7th Ave/Broadway which they turned it into a pedestrian plaza - aka where the ball drops on New Years Eve - and wanted to show Morgan where the neon sign NYPD station was. So as we were walking by I pointed to it, and Morgan slowly grabbed my arm and steered me in that direction. He said he wanted to "check it out" and "get a picture"
- So I took his picture
- and was about to continue walking when he wanted to take a picture of me
- so he did,
- and it was blurry and so he did it again
- so as I came back to stand next to him and look at the camera, I snapped a picture of the NYPD station while Morgan was getting something out of his coat.
That's when I heard "Sweety" and I was still looking at the camera so I said "Yea?" without looking up. and then he didn't say anything. So I looked up. And I saw the unzipped coat, the maroon ring box with a latch and Morgan's beaming, expectant face {with that adorable grin he has} and I started crying. Yep. Instantly. And then I started saying "You are not doing this right now, you aren't, are you? Are you seriously doing this right now? Really?" All the while, crying and trying to wipe my face and eyes so I could properly see him.
And in the midst of my rambling he said "Yes." Got down on one knee, and said "Julie Marie Bennett, will you marry me?" and I smiled. {and of course was still crying} and said "yes, of course." and thats when I dragged him up {he's twice my size, it was hard} and jumped in his arms. And thats when we heard the clapping and cheering. We stopped and looked to our right and saw a group of about 5 guys clapping and yelling "Congratulations!" so we waved and smiled and tried to say "Thankyou" but I don't really know if it ever happened because we were both in shock. So then we looked back at each other and kissed and I asked him how long he had been planning this, and asked him why he wasn't acting weird all day, and we smiled and he goes "So, do you want to actually look at the ring". True story - he hadn't even opened the box yet.
So we sat down across from eachother, touching knees, on some of the metal chairs that are in the plaza we were standing in the middle of. And he opened the box. and I started crying again. Instantly. And then he laughed at me. and I was gushing. {because really, its the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've ever seen in my life} So I put it on and it fit perfectly. {except then my gloves didn't fit because it was so big and my hands were frozen the rest of the night because I refused to take off the ring. not bragging, true story.} And THEN the cheering boys came back {turns out it was a dad and 4 teenage boys}. The dad came over and told us he wanted to take our picture for us saying, "You have to remember this forever, can I take your picture?" And then I started crying again at the most wonderful thing this stranger could say - so we said yes. And took the most awful picture that I will treasure forever. Then we had no idea what to do.
So we walked. and decided to stop in a cafe and get some hot chocolate so we could call my parents. He let me know I should probably call my mom first because she had cried on the phone whenever he asked her and Gary's permission. So I did. I called her. and then my house, which Chris answered and so I told him first and then my Dad & Lisa got on the phone who were already expecting it due to Morgan's persmission call. and then Jessica. Then I called Stephanie and Billy and Michael. And then I called Ashley and Rachael. And Morgan called his parents. To be fair, he had already told everyone prior to us leaving for NY that he was going to propose, so he didn't really have to let anyone know.
So then we finished our hot chocolate, and went back to the place he had proposed just an hour before and we look "better" pictures {though my eyes still look a little red}. Then we did what were good at - going wherever our feet took us. We went and got I ♥ NY shirts for Morgan's family, found a vintage photo of Times Square showing the exact location we got engaged, and went to the M&M store to get colored peanut M&Ms. It was pretty late by then and we had to catch our train back to Oceanside so I called my Grandma to let her know when we'd be there {but didn't let her know he proposed because Morgan wanted to see her reaction in person} So we got there and got in her van, me in the passenger seat, Morgan in the back seat, and I pulled off my really tight glove {I had to put it on to surprise her!} and told her we had gotten engaged that night. She almost slammed on the breaks and said "Is that thing REAL??" and then she said something to the effect of "Congrats, that's so exciting, that's great, when did it happen? how did it happen? were you planning it? whens the wedding?"
Then we got home and she called everyone.
And the rest of the week we celebrated with family, went into the city and went wherever our feet took us, and talked about how crazy it was we were ENGAGED! :)
Jenn & Levi hold a special place in Morgan and I's hearts for numerous reasons, but I'll name 4. {just because I can.}
1. I met Levi 2 weeks after he got home from his mission {before Morgan did!!} and he was reallllly awkward. {he still is, but not as much}
2. When Morgan and Levi finally met we used to go on "3-wheeled-dates" as Levi calls them before Morgan and I were ever "together". They were fun, and those were the times I started falling for Morgan.
3. Also before Morgan and I were ever "together" we hung out all the time at my apartment, and one particular night we invited Jenn and Levi over... to meet. And meet they did. Now.. they are married.
4. Jenn is beautiful. And smart. And kind. She pretty much encapsulates a lot of what I wish I could be. Also, we can talk for houurrsss and not even notice. In 3 words: I love her.
We started off with Christmas Eve at Morgan's house with his family for the ceremonious opening of the Christmas Eve PJs. Growing up this was a tradition I had at my dad's and I was really happy I still got to experience that even being far away from my family.
{though all of Morgan's family treats me as family anyways :)}
cutest. picture. ever :).
Maddy face loved her new PJs
add the "kids" after opening our PJs
Then Morgan and I went back to my apartment to start our own Christmas Eve tradition - which included PJs, our "Gift" to Christ & reading Luke 2
and our other new tradition: Christmas colored brinner! Ornament shaped biscuits, green eggs and red{ish?} turkey bacon
Our very first Christmas Eve together!
I started making my usual sugar cookies a little late in the season and we finished them up that day. they were still delish.
And then Christmas morning! Morgan called me when everyone woke up and I drove over - after opening presents, skypeing with Morgan's dad {side note: he is coming home SOON! YAY!} and making breakfast for everyone we then went over to my apartment for "our" Christmas.
When I posted back here, I mentioned a new tradition that Morgan and I wanted to start doing together that would help us to try and focus less on gifts and more on Christ. I stumbled upon a blog post that gave me a lot of inspiration {this one} and Morgan and I talked about it and changed a few things to fit "us". We wanted something that we could do together right now, but also could apply to when we start a family. So, the deal is you have a max of 5 gifts {excluding Christmas Eve PJs}
1. you WANT. 2. you NEED. 3. you WEAR. 4. you READ. and 5. from SANTA
We thought this would not only help us to focus on what is really "essential" but also be constructive in our gift giving in that we really begin to think about what they need and giving them something to read instead of just a bunch of "stuff". We wanted to make sure that we couldn't go overboard or try to outdo one another. And we really wanted to have time to remember Christ's birth and to not focus so much on the gifts.
I'll be honest at first it was a little difficult, I kept finding stuff that I knew Morgan wanted, or I thought he would like after I had already gotten his WANT. I felt myself showing a little restraint and remembering why we wanted to start this tradition in the first place. It introduced a sense of simplicity into our Christmas season, and it was really a blessing.
I created these tags for us out of construction paper & Morgan laminated them at work. Then we just used one uniform wrapping paper for each person so we could tell whos was whos {like thats hard with just 2 people, but whatev.} These are mine to him.
and these are his to me. and he was way more creative at wrapping. I used twine, he used ribbon. oh well.
my beautiful scentsy! {a WANT}
his WANT
and THIS was from my parents my very own kindle! :)
Overall this Christmas was wonderful and looking back on it now it is so wonderful to have those memories with Morgan and his family. I'm so grateful for the people that are in my life that make me feel like this place is my real home. And I'm grateful for a man who I can share every special moment with.
My cousin Kristen and I are 2 days apart.We always used to have our birthday parties together when were growing up, and we always used to tease her because she was bald until she was like 10. Well ....as of last month she become way more mature than me and got married and she has way more beautiful hair than me. go figure.
and then there is my younger sister who is technically 3 years younger but in reality about 8 years older. She graduated {the same day Kristen got married} and is now an official grown-up real-life nurse! congratulations, my lovely younger/older sister.
So when I go out of town, which is a lot for work, I usually just like to work out, shower, eat dinner, talk to Morgan and CHILLLLL. {wow I don't even need to blog anymore, I just summed up my life in one sentence}
When I went to St Louis for class, it was just a normal day in the life of out-of-town-Julie, except that week my friend Meredith {who used to work with me in Memphis and then moved to Chicago} was at the same exact class. So the three amigos {me, Pope and Mere} were reunited.
We decided to celebrate and catch up over dinner at Mama Capizis at The Hill - delish. - and go to one of our coworkers ice hockey game. Lets just say thank goodness the food was good, because I've never wasted that much time watching grown men fall down.
{since this is my stand in journal and memory keeper}
Last night Morgan had to close at the gym - so I decided to work out up there and bring some dinner for the both of us to eat after I got done working out.
I was pretty beat since I've been sick all week, and thus it was the first time in a week I had worked out - my body was weak. But Morgan came by every so often to see how I was doing and encourage me
And so after I got through it we sat down in the office to eat our gourmet dinner {aka turkey sandwiches and chips} and we talked about the wedding, and church, and crazy people that work out at Germantown Center...and then there was a moment where there was nothing but silence and Morgan said my name, so I looked up from my gourmet chips {aka Lays} and he said "Julie, I appreciate you. I hope you know that"
and that, my friends, is the man I'm going to marry.
