So....what do you do after you get engaged? I can't speak for the rest of you, but Ben and I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon- just the two of us. We went to the antique store we love so much and had a yummy lunch at Graffiti's. We also ran a few errands so I wouldn't be as worried about all the stuff I had to do. We just enjoyed each other's company. I only allowed about 15 minutes of wedding talk at lunch. The rest of the afternoon was just spent enjoying and celebrating our engagement before making all the necessary phone calls.
So, we started doing just that- making the phone calls. Of course- my parents were expecting a call that weekend since Ben had called them on Thursday about it. I called siblings next and then Grandparents and a few other extended family members. And then best friends. Ben and I also went to his Grandma's birthday party, which made it an easy announcement for his Dad's side of the family. After the birthday party, we went to Pete's and celebrated with some of Ben's friends. And then we visited a couple of my Stevens Point friends to tell them in person.
It really is amazing how many people want to know the when, where, and how's of what the wedding will be RIGHT after you get engaged. I mean- it is maybe the third or fourth question after the typical engagement questions like "How did he do it?" and "Was it a surprise?" Next comes "So- when's the big day?" I was okay answering this for my close family and friends. But after awhile, it gets exhausting. I tried to keep most of the wedding talk to a minimum because just getting engaged should be a celebration! (For those of you who don't know any wedding plans...keep scrolling and/or reading....some details will be included below)
The next day was spent together. Again- celebrating and lots of phone calls. But also, me working. Culture Night was only two days away!!! EEKS! So Monday morning, I left Stevens Point to go back to Madison. But this time, as an engaged woman.
I keep looking down at my ring, even over a month later. I love it. It is made by a jewelry designer on Etsy called Enzo Luccati. I have been admiring the rings on that site for about a year now. They acquire diamonds via The Kimberly Process which is a conflict-free diamond source- meaning that it is a real, natural diamond but not a blood diamond. Also- the designer does not cut or polish these diamonds. They are in their rough state. However, still very sparkly and very beautiful. I mean- I think they are prettier than cut and polished diamonds because they are unique and real and natural. The band is silver and is handcrafted. Somebody designed and made this themselves instead of a machine pumping out cookie cutter rings. Anyway- the band is very unique and simple, yet elegant. I love my ring. And I love Ben for knowing me so well.
Culture Night was stressful, but all in all a success. We had Capoeira, we had Salsa and Bachata dancing, we had storytellers galore, we had singers and dancers, yoga, poetry workshops, everything! And lots of food too. So, while I am sure my stress levels were through the roof, it ended up going over pretty well. As did my midterm evaluation. I was super nervous about it, but most of my scores were pretty good and that's all I can ask for.
March came and I started training for my new part time job at Victoria Secret. Now, before any of you judgy-mcjudgersons start giving me all the reasons why Victoria Secret is a terrible company, let me just tell you some of the good that came out of this. For one- I am hired and they are hiring even more people too. The company seems to be doing well and in an economy like this a girl has got to take work when she can find it. Also- they hired me with no previous retail experience. I have been applying for retail and food industry jobs since HIGH SCHOOL and no one ever hired me. Mostly, I think, because I didn't have any experience. Well- how are you supposed to get experience if you don't get hired somewhere? Third of all- I really like it! I was unsure at first. I was hesitant to even apply. What would people think if I worked at this place? I had bought a total of ONE bra there before. This is mostly because I had a lot of preconceived opinions about the company as well. However, the managers and other coworkers were kind and accepting. They have been very patient with me as I learn how to do this job. And I honestly love when I can help people find just what they were looking for. Do I agree with some of their marketing? No. I do NOT think 13 year old girls should wear underwear with "Party Girl" printed on the back (or other silly words, for that matter). However, I can't blame them- there is clearly a market for it. Otherwise, I don't think it would exist. I can guarantee you- over 60% of the girls under age 18 that come into the store are there with their mother or some other adult figure. It is not entirely the company's fault- it is also a parenting issue.
But- off my soapbox- it is a really great job. There have been a few moments where it has been difficult (angry customers, not knowing everything about everything yet, busy cash registers). However, my managers are kind and friendly people and are very open and willing to help. Basically- I am happy to have this job and they treat their employees and their customers VERY well.
Ben's mother, Cynthia, and her boyfriend Larry came up from Chicago at the beginning of March to spend a weekend with Ben and I and celebrate the engagement. They rented a hotel room, so we were able to enjoy the hot tub/ pool while talking wedding stuff as well as other things. Ben also had gotten a tattoo a few days after we were engaged. It is really pretty- a beautiful twisted tree on his bicep. So, we had fun seeing the reaction his mother had to it. :) It was a fun weekend and I even kind of learned to play pool. (Emphasis on the KIND OF).
Cynthia brought us a gift of champagne and candles with candle holders that she bought the day we got engaged. She also bought a wedding magazine for me to flip through. My mom did the same thing the day we got engaged- bought me two wedding magazines and then sent them to me in the mail. I'm not really much for the bridal magazine thing, but it has been kind of fun and I even subscribed to The Knot's magazine on my Kindle. Hey- I only get to do this once, so might as well indulge in it a little.
So...what now? It was Spring Break awhile ago. Which meant- Johanna works a lot week, basically. I picked up a few shifts at Victoria's Secret, so I was working A LOT! The next few months will be- more tutoring, more service projects, more after school stuff, an audition or two, and really trying to get everything ready to move to Chicago!
Now: Wedding Details.
When? September 2014 (not sure on the exact date yet, but we wanted a fall wedding, yet are certainly NOT ready this fall. But- we HAVE to get married before Ben turns 30- apparently this is a rule? I had no clue. Anyway- Ben turns 30 in October 2014. Therefore- our answer was clearly September!)
Where? Door County, Wisconsin (not sure on the exact place yet, but it will be somewhere in Door County. Mostly because of the trees and the water, but also because Ben grew up there.)
Colors? Fall colors. All of them. This wedding will be VERY colorful- Red, Yellow, Orange, maybe a purple, green, or blue thrown in there.
What will it be like? Fun. Seriously- we are planning on having lots of fun activities to do at this wedding and if you attend, I encourage you to join in and participate with the fun!
Wedding Party? We pretty much know who will be our bridesmaids and groomsmen, but we have not told anyone yet. I don't know when we will do this. Probably when we book the exact locations/dates.
That is honestly just about it (without going into unnecessary details).
ALSO!!! BLOG ALERT!!!! I am going to start two new blogs soon. One will be dedicated to all things engagement, wedding, and relationship stuff. The other will be dedicated to my career in theatre and the struggles/successes of being an artist. Basically- I have found myself wanting to write more on specific subjects- like, themed posts. Posts with meaning. Not that my life isn't meaningful or anything. It's just that this is more like a summary of everything going on in life and I would like to try my hand at blogging with opinion or a purpose or...whatever. Anyway...here are the URL's to those blogs. Feel free to follow them! I have no idea what they will end up being like. But, hey- trying new things is good! Maybe it will encourage me to write more often. Hopefully it does!
Relationship/Engagement/Wedding blog-
http://adventurepartnersinlove.blogspot.com/
Theatre/Art/Music/Career Blog-
http://talesofamigratingsongbird.blogspot.com/
So there it is, you guys! Here's to spring! Here's to new beginnings! Here's to learning and trying new things!
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