An engagement and a funeral

If you haven't heard already, I proposed to my girlfriend of just over four years, Sara Zeckoski, on Wednesday, April 4th, and she said "of course" and now we're engaged. The first week of April we travelled back to Virginia to see our families because Sara was on spring break and we weren't sure when we'd have another chance to go back East. After a whole day of romantic shenanigans I popped the question on our favorite mountain overlook, Wind Rock, at the setting of the sun over the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The epic proposal was followed by a bonfire and s'mores. As any have you who have gotten engaged know, the next few days bring on a whirlwind of craziness: calling family, friends, and loved ones to tell of the great news, people all giddy and excited and asking millions of questions about when, where, what of the wedding day, and the beginning of the long process of planning said day of marriage. Also, in our case we received many statements of, "well, it's about time," which got really old and annoying after the first time it was said. To all those who said it and/or thought it (which is not everyone, I know), this is what I have to say: it was the right time. Many of our friends have gotten hitched shortly after graduation and/or after dating for less than four years. And for most of those people it was perfectly fine and things are working out well as far as I know and that's awesome. However, what works for others does not work for me a lot of the time, and I am, as well as Sara, glad that we waited a little while before joining forces. I have learned and experienced many things as a single person that have made me a better person than I was four years ago when Sara and I started dating. There were things in my life I wanted to have figured out before I brought someone else permanently into my life. Granted, I haven't figured out everything, but I do feel that this is the right time to get married and am glad I waited a little while. I'm the type of person that needs time to figure things out on my own, and sometimes it takes a while, maybe a little longer than some people would like, but in the end it's worth it. I am very thankful that Sara stayed with me and waited, even at times maybe it seemed I didn't want her there. Her patience is very valued and one of the things that draws me to her. So anyways, that's what I have to say about waiting a while to get married, and that it's not bad to take a little time to figure out life, or at least try to grow as a person.

Besides the craziness and weariness of planning the wedding as soon as the ring was on Sara's finger, I was emotionally drained by hearing the news that my very good friend's dad died unexpectedly the Tuesday night I was in Virginia. It was a major shock to his family and I wish I was able to do something for my friend. It was hard to be super excited about getting married and trying to grieve alongside of my friend. The same day Sara finalized some big wedding things like her dress, flowers, and church, I attended the funeral. I felt so sad for my friend's lost, but happy about being engaged and for our good fortune in jump starting the wedding plans, that I was torn in two emotionally and spent the next couple days floating in between jumping up and down and tears. I can't imagine what it must be like to lose a family member, and any sadness I'm feeling, my friend must be experiencing 100 times. Last week's events made me think about the bigger picture and realize that that is what life is made of: moments of joy and elation as well as moments of pain and sorrow, often at the same time. In eight-ish months I will be starting the rest of my life with Sara. And that rest of my life will be filled with lots of joy and most likely sadness and pain. But Sara and I will have each other to battle the craziness life will throw at us, and just knowing someone is there next to you is enough to get you through.