Tuesday, June 24, 2008

I've Made My Decision

I was deleting some pictures from my computer this evening when I came across some photos from the night Grant proposed. The pictures are of my hand, proudly wearing the beautiful diamond ring that Grant picked out especially for me, with no help from me at all. It was then that I realized that when I fix my ring, I need to get it as close to the original setting as I can. It's my ring! And for the sentimental value of it all, I am not going to get a new setting. I am going to make sure that the ring is stable and will not damage again, but I am going to keep it as close as possible to what Grant chose for me.

I realized in the middle of all of this that I don't think I've shared my engagement story with you all! If I have, I apologize. (Many of you were there, aka Linds, Jo, Sally, Jaclyn, Ronda, the list goes on and on and on...). Here is a pic of us at lunch the day he proposed. I had no idea at this point!

I was performing in Anne of Green Gables in downtown Houston. It was my 21st birthday and I had coordinated for my friends and family to come to the 8:00 performance that night and then afterwards we'd go out for drinks and dessert at Birraporetti's.

That night was hands down the best performance of my entire life. I knew I had everyone near and dear to me in the audience and I was just on fire with adrenaline. I wanted the show to end so we could all go out!

Grant and gotten permission from the director a few weeks earlier to come onstage after the final bow. As the cast and audience sang Happy Birthday to me, my now husband walked onto the stage with roses. I will never forget looking down into the 3rd row and sharing that look with Lindsee and Joanna. We all looked at each other with this face as if to say "This is really happening!". My darling husband had an adorable little speech prepared and asked me to marry him. It was perfect and wonderful. My "birthday party" at Birraporetti's was transformed into an Engagement party behind my back. There were about 50 people there and it was perfect. Special thanks to my sweet sister Jaclyn for thinking ahead and bringing a black cocktail dress for me to change into. Sister knew I wouldn't wanna be wearing JEANS at my ENGAGEMENT party!!! (Too bad I was wearing a horrible white costume with horrible 1906 hair when he proposed!) Check out my gorgeous puffed sleeves in the video below! :)



When I got home that night, I took a few pictures of my beautiful ring.


I just can't do something that drastically different. As fun as it would be to design a new ring, I just can't let go of something that was so personal.

Thank you all for your advice and input! And I think we all agree that cheaper is better! :)

12 comments:

  1. Oh my !!
    That video brought me to tears!
    That is so sweet!
    How neat to have a video of your hubby proposing to you
    LOVE IT
    BTW: I was diggin the boots - hehe
    Blessings
    Kim

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  2. ok...as if i haven't seen that video a thousand times before...i am sitting at my desk all teary. That was such a great night.
    I love you sister...and i love your sparkly ring :)

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  3. I totally agree with Jaclyn. I am teary-eyed but all smiley. Remebering that night, when you and my mom[who was there] calling to tell me then news, as I was at camp and unable to make it. LOVE you Jen!

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  4. WONDERFUL memories. I will NEVER forget that night!! I love you so much precious friend. Can we have lunch/dinner soon since we live in the same stinkin' city?!!! :)

    Love you!

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  5. Oh, so sweet! I got all teary-eyed too. I remember your parents bringing that exact video to our ABF on Sunday morning and sharing it with us. I was so happy for the two of you that day, and still am!

    P.S. I am glad that you are keeping your existing design on your ring! It is so absolutely beautiful, and you're right, the sentimental value of it all is what makes it even more special and beautiful. I hope it's fixed soon!!

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  6. Jenny, my precious grandaughter, I had been praying that you would keep the setting, as close as you could. It is sentimental and it will even mean more as you try to keep it as it originally was. I cried again as I watched the video and it was still so very exciting. I love you and your sweet husband with all my heart. You made the right decision. I'm so proud. Mamaw

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  7. Ok...I'm crying. WOW WOW WOW! That is just the coolest Jen.

    Ya'll are adorable and I love hearing these stories.

    Hope your day is awesome!
    Hugs,
    Fran

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  8. Your puffed sleeves and perfectly appropriate Anne of Green Gables hair is amazing! I mean, SERIOUSLY!!! I went through a phase as a little girl when I was OBSESSED with Anne of Green Gables. I even had an official Anne doll. She had red hair and freckles. I so desperately wished I had red hair. I sometimes marked dots on my face with a brown Crayola marker so I could have freckles... it was bad... eventually I moved on to American Girls and falling love with Felicity. Let's just say, I've always wanted to be a redhead.

    Anyway, you looked your part in the play, puffed sleeves and all. You are darling! Just darling! And I love how everyone on stage starts jumping with excitedment when Grant starts to kneel. Precious!

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  9. I can remember trying to avoid you like the plague right before your proposal! I was so afraid I was going to let the cat out of the bag! What a wonderful memory!

    Love you!

    BTW--THANK You for your sweet email! One of the sweetest and most encouraging I have received in a long time!

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  10. Oh my gosh that video is PRECIOUS!!!!! I love it! And, I love Anne of Green Gables and I love that you were wearing puff sleeves when you got engaged! SO FUN! :) Hope you're doing well girl!

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  11. Aaaw you two are such a sweet couple... gorgeous x

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