Engaged in Jamaica!!

WE'RE ENGAGED!!!!!!!

I really have no idea where to even begin this blog post because I am so flippin' ecstatic and I there is just so much I want to say! I guess I'll start off with the fact that Colin and I have been together for four years and I moved to the DC area only three weeks ago so that we could finally live together again. We have talked about getting married throughout the years and even more so the past few months. But it just kind of always seemed like a "someday we will" or "someday when x, y, z happens." A few months ago when he was visiting me in Philly, he asked if I wanted to go to Jeweler's Row. Well...a duh. Of course I did...but only if he was serious. We went to a few places so that he could get an idea of what I liked. At one store, he noticed a delicate, intricate ring that appeared to be a bit vintage and he said he thought that was me. I tried it on and really liked it. But it was huge on my little finger and the shop had gotten it from an estate sale. The jeweler said he could replicate it to fit my finger. I had seen a lot of rings that day and we were both feeling a little overwhelmed so we called it a day. A few days later I sent him a quick text to tell him that I couldn't stop thinking about that ring and that I really wanted something similar. Two weeks later he was back in Philly to visit. I was busy with my friends for a few hours and I was really hoping that he had gone back to Jeweler's Row to get that ring. But when I talked to him, he said he was at the bank. And the next day he asked me what size my ring finger was again because he had forgotten. I said "Aw man. That means you didn't go to Jeweler's Row yesterday. That was your one opportunity!" He said "Oh. You're right. I should have done that." So I thought there was no ring and that it really was going to be 6 months to a year until we got engaged.

Throughout the next few months Colin would do and say things like:

• "Allyson, I have a very important question to ask you. Will you....make me a sandwich?" To which I would hit him.
• Start to get on one knee....then get back up again. To which I would hit him.
• Get on one knee...and tie his shoe. To which I would hit him.

The week before Jamaica I asked, "So....are you going to propose in Jamaica?" He said, "Babe...it's not the right time and I just really don't want you to get your hopes up because it's not going to happen." I resigned myself to the fact that it really wasn't happening probably until next summer when I would have a year of teaching under my belt.

Then it was time for Jamaica (which was also my birthday!) Our first all-inclusive and first "real" vacation together to just do nothing, but relax. On our shuttle ride to the resort, we met an awesome couple who we ended up hanging out with all week. 

They asked, "Are you guys on your honeymoon?"

Us: No.

Them: Are you engaged?

Us: No.

Them: How long have you been together?

Us: Four years.

Them: What are you waiting for?

Me: Yeah Colin, what are you waiting for?

The next day we relaxed on beach all morning and afternoon with our new friends Chris and Kelly. We decided to get out of the sun for a bit and take a nap. Colin asked them if they wanted to do dinner that night and they said they wanted to check out 'Platinum,' the fanciest restaurant at the resort and the one that requires a dress code. We decided to meet at 7:00. When we got up to our room, there was a "Happy Birthday" sign and balloon on the door. I just got so excited that our resort would do something like that for us. As we were getting ready, I asked for Colin's help with picking out my dress and noticed that we somewhat matched...how adorable!

Notice he is guarding the box. I am oblivious.

We were a bit early, so we took a walk all around the resort and had so many private moments together. My thought process went like this at one point: Wow, this would be a really great moment to propose. I should tell him that. Wait...no....Don't bring up getting married again on this trip and just enjoy the your vacation together.

So many moments to propose

We had a great time at dinner, although I was getting really tired from such a long day in the sun. I ordered coffee, but contemplated going back to the room for the night. The boys kept ordering more coffee, so I just drank more, too.

After dinner, Colin said, "Let's go check out the pier at night." So we all walked down to the pier. There was a couple at the end of the pier enjoying a private, romantic dinner and I remember thinking, we shouldn't go down too far so that we don't interrupt their dinner. Apparently as I was thinking that, Colin gave his cue line of, "This is the first day of  the rest of my life." I must point out that although Kelly thought I would definitely know what was up when he said that, Colin says this phrase ALL THE TIME. He'll be eating a popsicle and say, "This is the first day of the rest of my life" because he loves the popsicle so much. I didn't even notice that he said it when we were on the pier. After he said it, Kelly asked if we could take their picture. I took their picture and she said she wanted our picture. I started to get into place when all of a sudden Colin got down on one knee. I gasped and said, "OH MY GOD. What's happening?" I wasn't sure if he was still joking, or tying his shoe, or if this was the real deal. He took my hand and said lovely things like, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. And something about having so many adventures and wanting more of them with me. It's all such a wonderful, exciting blur! Then, "Allyson, Will you marry me?" I said, "Yes!" Of course. And I cried and I jumped up and down and I fist pumped. And he put the ring on and it was beautiful and I cried like a baby. Then, in true Allyson form, I hit him and said, "You sneaky little shit!"

Chris and Kelly left to give us some alone time together and the lady from the couple having the romantic dinner at the end of the pier appeared with a bottle champagne and two glasses. She said that she and her husband don't drink champagne, saw what happened, and wanted us to have it. So there Colin and I were, 2 minutes engaged and popping champagne off the pier. It truly couldn't have gotten any more perfect and romantic.

We left the pier to celebrate with Chris and Kelly and found them with the resort photographer. He took some lovely photos of us by the pool. My smile was stuck on my face and I couldn't stop giggling and shaking!

We celebrated for the rest of the evening and made new friends by telling everyone we were engaged. It was a truly wonderful night, one I've been dreaming about for a long time. And I am so darn excited to marry my best friend!!

Sidenotes:

Yes, Colin actually had gone back to Jeweler's Row when I was with my friends.

Yes, it was the ring that I had fallen in love with!

Yes, he somehow managed to make me think that this engagement wasn't happening for a while

Yes, he managed to get through airport security without getting searched

Yes, I was completely SHOCKED!

Yes, he was secretly planning this throughout the day on the beach with Chris and Kelly. Again, I am oblivious!!