I believe I have taken up permanent residence on cloud 9. Distracted by the excitement of planning a wedding and marrying Frank, I have neglected to bring my head with me where ever I go. I walk into rooms and forget why I went there. I leave the room and remember what I had gone in there for. I leave my cell phone and building pass at home. I walk into door frames and leave my debit card on my desk at work (it was still there in the morning).

I also have delusions of grandeur, while I’m at it. I believe that I am Martha Stewart meets Super Woman. I envision myself making 50 or so center pieces. This is hogwash since I don’t have the artsy craftsy attention to make it through small sewing projects with my mom. I have visions of hand made invitations, Martha Stewart-esque bridesmaids gifts and a homemade groom’s cake for the wedding. This insanity also has me believing that I will find the perfect dress in two minutes and that once we have the guest list, the place and the date–the rest of the wedding will be NO sweat.

FOCUS!

The real task at hand is getting through this week. Work has been okay (thank goodness!), but the preliminary wedding stuff is crazy! Frank and I are not sure of the date (although we are telling people 8/28/04). Tonight Frank’s parents are meeting my parents (holy crap batman!). I’m not really nervous about it (lies, lies, lies) because I have confidence (wow, more lies) that our families will hit it off (hopefully not with fists…). And besides, it’s my wedding (and Frank’s too) and no one can tell me what to do.

Did I mention the delusions??

I am, by nature, very prone to wanting to please everyone. Maybe I will have to crack open the Dr. Phil book I got last Easter (entitled “Self Matters”) for some weekend reading. So anyway, where this is going is that while I have made it my mantra “THIS IS MY WEDDING” I will probably find myself saying, “Oh, I guess we can go with the lilac fluffy bridesmaid dresses… sure, I think we should invite our cousin’s cousin’s children’s dog… and, no, I don’t mind shaving my head–tradition IS tradition I suppose…” I may as well roll over right now.

Vacation

I had intentions of relating my very exciting vacation experience to all of you, but I am distracted (see my section called “FOCUS!”) and if you really want to know, I’ll tell you later. Just know Frank and I made it home. And Frank is pealing.

Frank and I have known each other since we were wee freshman at our respective universities. We met at Illini Life’s Saturday Night Grace service when I visited our mutual friend, John Nichols, in December of ’98. Sure, it would be nice to say that it was happily ever after, but that was not the case. Instead Frank and I gradually became close friends over the four years we were in college. It wasn’t until Frank took a job in the Chicagoland area that we were able to spend more time together.

Last week, Frank said that he wanted to have a date night. So at 6 p.m., amidst the protests and craziness, Frank picked me up from work. He looked simply dashing in a suit and tie. Ow-ow!!! When I asked him where we were going, he said, “Portillos–I just wanted to get you in a skirt!” Always the comedian 😉

Anyway, we parked in the Hancock and walked across the street to Bloomingdale’s to do a little shoppy-shop. YAY! What girl doesn’t love a little post-work shopping?? Then we had cocktails in the Four Seasons and I was definitely feeling refreshed from my day of working. Ahhhh!

We walked back across the street to the Hancock and took the elevators up to the 95th floor–the Signature Room!

THE PROPOSAL

The host seated us near the windows on the north side of the building. We had some delicious bread and ordered our dinners. (Salmon for me, Filet for Frank, just in case you were wondering). The view was mesmerizing and we pretty much daydreamed out the window for a while.

After our delicious meal, we sat back in our chairs, chatting about work and life and so on. I was telling him about all the uncertainties in my life, etc.

“Oh!” he said, “I forgot to give you that book last night.” (Frank said he had a book for me the night before, but I forgot about it…)

He handed me a small, square book wrapped in tissue paper. I opened it. “For the Bride.” WHAT???!!!! I looked up at Frank. All I could see was his face. The rest of the room disappeared. I almost couldn’t breath! He had an open box in front of him and I knew it was a ring, but that’s about it.

I must have squawked. I think I said yes.

“Is that a yes?” asked Frank, smiling.

“Yes yes yes yes yes!” I said, my hands shaking and my heart pounding.