I Got ENGAGED!

Up until the 23rd, Seamus and I ALWAYS got asked, "So, when are you getting engaged?" It wasn't really a surprise that the question we get most frequently now is, "So....how'd it happen?"

And once that question is answered there's a ripple of others that continue on as people hold my hand and stare at my ring, or even dare to try to put my 3.25 sized ring on their not-so-tiny fingers.

If you're not very familiar with Seamus and I, we hate being the center of attention...so this life changing event, as joyous as we are for it, is anxiety inducing. In fact, as the holidays rolled in and we were surrounded with my family, our only saving grace was my Aunt nudging people to look at my left hand. I wouldn't have known how to bring it up otherwise...especially in a sea of people.

But since it's just us now, I'll do my best to answer all your questions from the comfort of my unicorn pajamas in my fiance's home in Northern Ireland. You grab a wee cuppa tea and I'll yarn about my story.

"So....how'd it happen?"

On the 23rd of December, Seamus fancied a drive after evening service. We debated where we should go and, after a couple of quick lane changes, headed toward Folsom's Historic District. We parked on Wool St. right next to an old, orange train with a building next to it covered in lights.

We walked along the street trying to figure out where the Rainbow Bridge was -- something my stepdad had mentioned that we should see, earlier that week. As is the way with us, we were on the wrong side of the road and my pains weren't going to grant me any mercy trying to figure out a way over there AND a way to get on the bridge.

We walked back to the old train, and as I was going toward the car, but Seamus pulled me close to him and said, "Are there any people around?"

"No, just a few cats behind you."

He gained his composure after chuckling. "Moriah, I love you..."

"I love you, too, Seamus"

"You had me from day one. You made me laugh, you made me cry, and I wanted to know," *got down on one knee with a blue, velvet box*, "If you would cheesy smile with me for the rest of our lives."

My answer was pretty obvious, and we embraced each other for a few minutes while we waited for our hearts to settle down from excitement. After a couple of pictures, we headed back to the car to go back to my house.

As we were driving back I had asked him how he felt. He said he was relieved that he finally had a time to ask and continued telling me at least four different times he had wanted to purpose and what stopped him from doing it. One of the dates was the day after he flew over!

Were you surprised?

I was, but I wasn't.

We had to talk about marriage from the get go -- you have to when you are trying to consider if it makes sense to pursue an international relationship. I had to figure out the rings I liked and they needed to be picked out in the states because my mom was giving me the diamond my dad gave her when they got engaged. He and my mom kept having secret meetings once he got into the States, so I figured out early on in his trip that I couldn't just cling to his side or look over his shoulder when he was on his phone.

The biggest reason why it wasn't surprising, was that I knew he wanted to marry me and I wanted the same. We didn't know how or when, but we knew enough to make the commitment.

It was a surprise that he popped the question before we got to the car. I may have led him to Folsom thinking it'd be nice to be proposed to on a bridge over a lake. When he didn't pursue going to the bridge when we were on the wrong side of the street, I thought he was going to figure out a sweet way to do it in my house. But as soon as he told me he loved me, I knew what was happening.

When is the Wedding?

This one is a hard one. With our situation we have to consider the conditions of the various visas and the amount of separation that could take place. We want to end up in the States, but that would require a 6-12+month separation. The time I have left on my Visitor Visa in the UK is ticking; and once he applies for the spousal visa, he won't be able to visit me in the States.

All that to say we are planning a bare-bones, supremely cosy, impromptu, thrifty ceremony because we don't know what the timing will be like and we need to save every dime or pence we have.

Aww, Six Months Isn't Too Bad!

Please, slap yourself or go give yourself a good, stern look in the mirror if you tried to justify the length of time that Seamus and I would be apart. And don't compare our situation to that of those who are in the military. Both situations suck -- and I bet that if you asked any one in the military if they enjoyed the separation or found it to be a blessing in their marriage (let alone the first year of it), they would be outraged. Sure, there are crappy things you may have to live with, like what I have to do with my chronic illness, but stop down playing it like distance is no big deal!

What is the Color Scheme?

The color scheme will be whatever we want. We aren't going to be planning anything big like regular couples. We may include my favourite colour, plum, and his tartan, but we may just dress up in nice clothes and seal our vows with a kiss. We don't like discriminating the colour blind, we just like doing the serious stuff.

If there are any other questions that you may have, please email me and I'll share what I know. I hope that this satisfied all the baseline questions and I'll keep you updated to let you know about the ring, wedding, and travels that we do. Make sure you subscribe to get those updates quicker! ;)