Over the weekend, R and I drove up to Carmel for my friend Amanda’s wedding celebration! The wedding was beautiful and Amanda was beyond beautiful…

She was gorgeous, actually.

Sadly, I took only one interesting photo of the whole occasion. The lights at the reception. Luckily, they were splendid…

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On Sunday, August 2nd, RJ woke up early. (5am to be exact). I remember him whispering “You’re beautiful” in my ear as I slept. A couple of hours later, I awoke further to the sound of the shower turning off and R rustling around in the room. He saw my eyes barely open and told me that, since he couldn’t sleep, he had text messaged my Dad who he assumed would also be awake early. He was right and they arranged to meet for coffee. (My parents had driven down to meet us for Brunch). I kept sleeping for about 2 more hours…

Later that afternoon, after we’d all been to brunch ~ my Dad, Mom, RJ & me ~ we said goodbye to my parents and we got in the car to drive back to LA. The weekend was wonderful!

As we were driving away from Carmel, R suggested that we take a final drive down by the ocean, so we wound our way along the beach front. Finally, we came to Carmel River State Beach where we parked and got out to take in a last deep breath of fresh, salty, ocean air.

Upon arrival at the small beach we began to stroll along the sand toward some rocks that went into the ocean. We soon determined that the rocks were much further than we had anticipated and so R suggested we sit on the steps close by. Once settled onto the steps, R snuggled up closer than I ever thought possible while I chattered on the beauty of the water, the sand, the scenery. A few moments later, it went something like this…

HIM: So this morning, when I went to coffee with your Dad I asked him for his blessing in marrying you. And then your Mom arrived and she joined in the conversation also. They were happy and your Mom confirmed that I had their blessing…

ME: You did baby? Aw. {still oblivious that there might be something special about to happen}

HIM: So do you want to get married to me? {as he slid something onto my lap}

ME: Well, yeah I do. {having not registered that this wasn’t a rhetorical question}

HIM: {gesturing subtly to the item in my lap}

ME: {looking down to find a small box} Oh my gosh!

HIM: {looking at me expectantly}

ME: {opening the box and discovering my ring} Oh, baby, it’s beautiful. Yes, I would love to marry you!

HIM: Yeah?

ME: Yeah!

*US*: {the most unforgettable kiss}

ME: {filled with so many emotions that made me giggle-cry}

HIM: {grinning} Should we put it on your finger?

ME: Yes, we should.

*US*: It looks so beautiful.

*US*: {another kiss}

ME: We’re engaged!

click here for more photographic detail
That’s how it happened. At about 2pm. And a small detail I’d like to add here is that I almost declined the invitation to drive down to the beach…
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