He put a ring on it

Beyonce said it best ... Apparently he liked it so he put a ring on it!

That's right ... I'm engaged!!!

I haven't put too much (or any really) of my dating life on my blog.
I'm a pretty private person and just never thought/wanted to share that part of my life.
But I am officially engaged to the sweetest, most-kind, hardworking, easy-going person I know!

The Story:

Scotty and I were in San Francisco with his family over the Thanksgiving holiday. To say that he loves that city would be an understatement. So he was happy to be in San Fran showing me around ...or at least that's what I have been telling myself. I was happy to be there. I've heard it is the Seattle of California. All you had to say was Seattle and I am sold. I didn't really think Scotty would be proposing while in San Francisco. I knew he would be getting the ring soon (we were having it made) but didn't know when. I told him not to tell me if and when he picked it up.

On Wednesday me, Scotty and his two cute sisters that are in high school went to Alcatraz in the morning. No he did not propose at Alcatraz ... though I did tell someone he proposed in a cell. Haha. After we were done, we met up with their parents for lunch at Boudins for their famous sourdough bread bowls. Yummy!

After lunch we all split up. His dad had some business to take care of and his sisters wanted to go shopping. Scotty said he thought it would be fun to head over to the golden gate bridge. It was at this time I started getting suspicious. Everyone seemed to know the plan except me, and nothing had been discussed previously. Scotty and I found a taxi to take over to the bridge. When we got there we started walking toward the entrance and he was like "let's go this way." I knew right then it was going to happen! We went on a path that goes underneath the bridge and leads to some beaches down below. We didn't go too far on the trail. I didn't really have my hiking boots on. There was a landing just down from the path. We walked down to the landing. We stood there for a bit looking at the bridge and the scenery. Some mushy things were said ... And then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! It was simple. There was nobody around. In my book ... it was perfect.

As they say, the rest is history. We caught a taxi back to meet up with the fam and celebrate. And by celebrate I mean we went shopping. No joke. I mean is there a better way to celebrate?!? ... oh and we went to dinner too.

Wasn't the view amazing?!?

The ring. I love it so much!
Sorry my hands are wrinkly, they were cold.

P.S. We're still working on a date. I'll keep you all posted.  

Apparently we're not the typical mormon couple.

prep girl

Last night I found myself at Kneaders (no surprise there) with a couple friends. We were talking about a variety of things. Very entertaining if I do say so myself. Of course one of the subjects we covered was dating. I mean when you get three 26-year-old girls together you better expect to cover that. Naturally.

I thought about parts of the conversation as I was falling asleep last night and came to a conclusion. I think I'm going into business.

You see. I have a gift.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as me to be blessed with this. I mean I finally found out last night that I wasn't the only one with this gift.

It is a gift that I couldn't even describe how I came across. It is just something innate and natural I guess.

I am what I have come to call a prep girl.

You know, the girl a boy dates right before they meet/date their future wife. It now has officially happened to me seven times (Could be eight. Confirmation is pending). I am the epitome of said prep girl.

I don't even have to be officially dating the boy. It has happened after a blind date.

Believe it. I am that good.

That is why I have decided to go into business. Like a Sarah Jessica Parker in Failure to Launch business. I know, brilliant right?!?

So all you mothers out there feel free to send your single sons my way. Don't you worry, it will be a worth-while investment for you. I can guarantee they will be married in no time.

It's just how it works in this prep girl world of mine.

boots with the furrrr

So I went on another blind date Saturday night  I think my count is like up to 468, give or take a few (hundred). I am happy to report I have no crazy stories from this one. He was normal. Just no sparks for me I guess.

That is besides the point. I'll not be discussing the date itself, but rather my choice of footwear for the evening. At one point during the night my date commented on my boots and asked if I had any with fur on them. I couldn't tell if he was making fun of them or complimenting them. Not that I care. I love my riding boots . I think he was just fishing for conversation (maybe?).

Anyway, back to the boots. I find it amusing that the only comments I get are from males. I think guys just don't know what to think when it comes to this trend...or if they do have an opinion it is a very strong one, whether for and against them. Whatever it is. I pretty much only receive comments about my boots from men.

Fast forward to Tuesday. I just happen to wear said boots (Steve Madden's Intyce to be exact) to work. I was going about my business as usual helping one of our sweet, elderly volunteers out with parking passes when he commented on my boots. Naturally. He told me he liked them and graciously I said thank you, continuing to work on the passes. He then proceeded to tell me he has tried to convince his wife to buy some. I was a little surprised as he is probably in his mid 70's. I said, Oh ya? She doesn't like them?. He goes, Ya she thinks they're too trendy. I think they're hot.

Hot?  I didn't know how to react to that one. I mean how do you respond to that? A man nearly fifty years your senior calling your boots hot. I think I just responded the the effect of, Well I gotta keep up with the trends I guess (Enter crickets due to awkward silence).

Moral of the story is, if you are ever in need of conversation, attention or just a good laugh make sure you wear some boots. You never know what kind of comments people...or should I say males...will make.

on dating

I have had some interesting dating experiences in my day.

Yes. Interesting to say the least.

I have even been told me that I need to write a book. That has yet to be determined, but here is the most recent gem of an experience.

*Please note this happened while my date was signing the check for dinner.

My Date: So do you do your own taxes?
  
My Thought: What? Did he seriously just ask me that??

My Answer: Ummm...No...I still have my dad do them...

My Date: Well just like taxes, everything in life is a business transaction.

A business transaction?

Pretty sure he referred to me...and this date...as a business transaction. I'm surprised he didn't pull out a piece of paper right there and start a SWOT analysis on me.

Date over.

{ exercise, endorphins & my new boyfriend }

Elle Woods couldn't have said it better ...

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't."

The time has come. I finally have decided to introduce you to my boyfriend. Actually we've been together a while, though I've realized lately just how much I like him. His name is Gym (also known as the treadmill).  

You see...Gym isn't like the other boys. Gym is reliable. I always feel better after I see Gym. We can spend lots of time together and never get sick of each other. I can go to Gym and let out both my excitement and frustration ... depending on the day. There are no surprises with Gym. I don't have to worry if he will be there, because he will. Sometimes I have a hard time making Gym a priority, but every time I do I am glad I did. We have spent many a weekend nights together (more than I'd like to admit). But who cares. I like Gym. A lot. Gym makes me happy!!! I think I'll continue seeing Gym (maybe more now that swimsuit season is here). I think I'll even have a date with him tonight.

{ oh for the love }

Since it is the month of love ... deep love (eh-hem Holly)...
I thought I would shed a little light on my dating life. OK not really. Sorry I'm totally against that...until he puts a ring on it (thank you Beyonce).

But I will tell you this...

I think I may be the queen of blind dates. Like THE QUEEN. I
wish I would have kept track of how many blind dates I have gone on in my life. That would be a fun number to know. I can only think of like seven off the top of my head but I know there are a lot more than that. I mean a lot more. It has got to be up in the twenties now. I guess I have been able to successfully block those memories out of my head (i.e. awkwardness, long and painful evenings).

If only our generation would stick to the traditional boy ask girl concept maybe I would be able to remember more of my dates. Maybe? I mean it seems like the success ratio of the traditional
boy ask girl is a lot higher than the blind date method.

I don't know. Call me crazy.