Simpler Times

In simpler times, we could watch 3 episodes of Lost in 1 night, just because we wanted to. We could take a walk or go shopping or hang out with friends until whenever we wanted. In simpler times, we didn't have calls to make, tasks hanging over our heads, invitations to assemble, obligations that fill up entire weekends, or full time jobs that begged for us to get to bed at a decent hour.

But then again, in simpler times, the summer was just the summer. In the end, he'd go home and I'd stay here, and it would be back to letters and Skype dates and calls. And those goodbyes we always dreaded. And there was that depressing countdown in the back of our heads the whole time, knowing that the time together was guaranteed to have an expiration date.

So yes, these days have been busy. And expensive. And full of big decisions.
But I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Oh and PS, then I see pictures on my camera like this one, and I'm assured that as busy as life together will be, simple moments will still happen. And those will be the best.

I don't know much...

...But one thing I do know is that in less than 3 months (88 days!) I will be the bride to the person that-- for many years now-- I have been hoping, and wishing, and praying would be my groom. And I can't help but think of the sovereignty of God, and how He has so clearly opened and closed doors in all aspects of our lives. And how those doors have opened right up to each other. And how the situations we have been in have shaped us to be the perfect matches for each other.

That's a pretty neat thought.

Some photos of life:

 The grad

 We loved Lincoln Park! (Yes, I am wearing basically the same outfit as I am in the photo before, and yes, they were taken on separate days. I didn't exactly pack well for that trip...)

 Tribe game at Progressive Field- the blimp always makes an appearance!

 I love this guy.

A good week

Seth was here this past week. This is the last mid-schoolyear visit EVER!!! Next time I see him will be at his graduation. And after that he'll be moving to the great OH to start his job and then become my man officially.

I like this.

We had a good week of working (he went into work at his new job during the week to keep from being bored while I worked and to get a head start on all that boring training stuff.) We rode bikes and played played frisbee and went on double dates and watched The Hunger Games. SIDENOTE: I am totally turning into "That Loser" I always despised growing up who adamantly proclaimed "The book was better." Between the Hunger Games books (all three of which I have sped through,) and The Help, I am totally loving books more than movies. Which is saying a lot, because both the first Hunger Games movie and the movie The Help were phenomenal.

Anyway.

We also apartment hunted. And hunted. And debated. And stressed. And made little pro and con lists. And still don't have an apartment.... We are waiting on the Lord's timing and taking a lot of factors into consideration. I just want to live somewhere with a great location, updated everything, lots of outdoor space to feel like I have a backyard, cheap rent, and a great/reliable office staff. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? This whole being engaged thing sure does come with a lot of stressful decisions.

Fun pics:

Waffle house pic = essential and typical

Swings N Things (and a stray sideburn curl?)

 I may or may not have accidentally thrown the frisbee into the cold river. He's a good man.

 Bright red/orange shoes and dark red pants. Check.

This is a good life

Precursor: My apologies for the long, windy post :)

I just had an awesome trip to see the Fiance. He just found out Friday that he officially got a web design job in Cleveland starting after he graduates in May! We are excited and praising God for how He provides. To celebrate, we went to Ikea and picked up a few things for our future home, now that know at least what area that will be in. I love Ikea so the curtains and nick knacks were such a treat. We also went to Gameworks, which is a glorified Dave and Busters. We hardcore played games and then won ourselves a 18 inch whoopee cushion. If that's not class, I don't know what is

On Sunday we spent some good time with Seth's dad and stepmom at church and out for some good brunch. In the afternoon we went to a mall. You know those semi shady looking massage places in malls? Yeah, we both got a 22 minute chair massage. That was super weird.

ANYYYYWAAAAYYY, after that, I treated Seth to Medieval Times because we are just that cool and lame of a couple. But for real, it was awesome fun! We were in the section that cheered for the Green Knight. The Green Knight was a hardcore rebel and was basically the star of the show, telling the king what he thought was up. But I suppose good always triumphs over evil, so the Black And White Knight won in the last second, saving the Prince and all that goodie two-shoes knightly stuff. Green Knight was way cooler anyway. At Medieval Times, you get to eat your food without utensils. Seth would be the first to testify that usually eat my food more like a waif or a serf and less like a princess, so I fit right in, gooey hands and all.

On Monday, we went into downtown Chicago for the day. May I say, we were in one of those super good moods. The kind of moods when you say to yourself, "I can tell this guy anything! And he loves me! And it's all so good and I'm gonna marry him!" I dunno if that's a legitimate way to describe a mood, but it fit mine. And the unusual February sunshine and warm breeze, and the calm of the lake as you sit on the outskirts of a bustling city, they all reflected our good mood. And we frolicked around the Alder Planetarium and threw melting ice chunks into Lake Michigan. And then he dropped me off for my trip home on the Megabus. But it's all alright. I won't have to do that for much longer.

Sorry for the multitude of pictures. We finally had a visit together where we took a lot of photos. And I'm sparing you from any Instagram pics, so be thankful! (Seth gave me his old Ipod touch, and I was all "WOOOO! Instagram overdose!")

 So pumped to cheer on our Green Knight.

 Some dudes fighting.

That perfect, sunny, warm Chicago day when all was right in the world.

 Navy Pier!

Checking out the world.

 So, if you're still patiently looking at these pictures, I commend you and think you're weird. To reward you I will tell you about the above picture. I have an autoimmune disease called Raynaud's. It's really not a huge deal. But my hands are always super cold. This was a heat sensitive camera in the planetarium. Do you see how icy blue my fingers are? We were obsessed and thought it was the coolest thing ever.

I love this boy.

 Just happy posing.

 Acting all like, "Yeah, this is my city."

 Don't we just look so awkward here? We are awkward posers. Maybe that will be fixed in time for the wedding...

The glorious city...

Saes was here

Seth worked at a laundromat his first years of college. His Korean boss pronounced his name "Saes" (also spelled Ses, Sayce, etc..) It's pretty cool as far as nicknames go. Anyway, he- Saes, Seth, Fiance- was here this past weekend. That was a wonderful treat!

We registered at Target and Crate and Barrel. To my surprise there was either really nothing that we disagreed about,  or we did a good job at just picking what we truly wanted and letting the other person do the same. But anyway, that was fun. On Saturday, we went to the much anticipated Cleveland Aquarium. I LOVE aquariums and have been to some pretty neat ones (namely in San Diego, Chicago, and Virgina Beach.) I guess I was a tad disappointed by Cleveland's. It was crowded and there was only one flow of traffic to follow, instead of being able to be like, "Hey, lets check out _____ section now!" Also the water was murky in a few of the displays, like they haven't yet perfected their cleaning cycle. But regardless, we had fun. And I mean, come on, they had lobsters in a window above you, with the sky above them.

 

 nasty eel thing.

Sharks and Rays swim in the murkiness.

On a side note, we are getting worse and worse at getting pictures of us. I swear, I have 7000 pictures from our first summer together, and we only get a few now. I think my new camera may have something to do with that because a clunky DSLR requires more of an effort to be the "photographer" and less of an option to quickly get some fun shots with yourself in them. Basically, we need a professional photographer to follow us around for a few days :) For free :)  :) Any takers?

We tried to get cool shots down in the flats but my car didn't feel like being the most cooperative tripod...

...hence this "artsy" picture we got...

Saturday night we had a birthday party. Me and 2 other friends had just had birthdays. We all ate the cake with our hands, a spontaneous act by my Saes that has now turned into what we want to be a new tradition.

"Handcake." It's all the rage in Cleveland.

It was a good weekend. I'm thankful for my fiance and the time we spend together!

The proposal

So Seth and I started a wedding website/blog. It is not quite finished yet (read: 95% not done.) However, the ONE page we have completed is the story of the proposal. So hop on over and check it out!

We have only been engaged for 2 weeks but he is the sweetest fiance ever and we were so thankful to spend this Christmas break together (I dropped him off for his Megabus trip home this morning- sad day). Now comes the fun part, planning, planning, planning, perchance some slight freakouts, and excitement. Oh and planning.

December 24

Seth proposed to me on Christmas Eve!

Details to come soon. For now, a few ring pictures

It was phenomenal