enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

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It was not a big surprise. Not in the sense that we have always
talked about getting married. Not in the sense that on New Years, Paul
asked my parents for the OK. Not in the sense that on a rainy day in
January we went to look at rings.

And yet, it was.

As
he was talking, my mind raced trying to figure out if this was really going to be it or if
this was just him saying “I love you.” I finally knew when he reached down and out of his flannel pajama pocket came a
little ring. No box. Just a ring. He did not say, “Will you marry me?” He
did not get down on one knee. My hair was not hot at all. It was not
how I pictured it.

And yet, it was.

It was so us. So everyday. So “Hey, I love you. Be mine. Forever.”

We
opened a bottle of very nice wine and celebrated on the couch with
dinner of chicken, cornbread and asparagus. I made Paul do a toast. He
hates toasts. But he said “To us, the young love birds…” and I
finished up with “…who will one day be wise old owls.” And then I
said something like, “Can you believe we have 80 more years together?
Oh my god, we are going to have grandbabies!” And he laughed and I laughed and it was good.

I spent the night smiling and looking at my ring. And I took some time to email and call my family and the girls. And there was some kissing (with Paul, not the girls).

I am in love with a man. A very good man. I am planning a wedding. A very good wedding.

Based
on his school/becoming a doctor schedule – we think the wedding will be
in April 2010 in California, of course. I will do my best to keep this blog from becoming a TLC
wedding story.

+++

I am so overwhelmed with all the sweet comments and emails throughout the day. Thank you. Thank you.

Posted in ,

76 responses to “the e + p engagement.”

  1. mary Avatar

    how very special elise..congrats!

    Like

  2. Heather Brittany Avatar
    Heather Brittany

    literally… goose bumps all over. I really want to read a TLC Wedding Story blog!;) I’m so looking forward more and more to your blog!

    Like

  3. Courtney Avatar

    You can totally make it a wedding blog. I’m currently borderline obsessed with weddings and have no actual (i.e., a ring) reasons to be obsessed, so please, let me live vicariously!!

    Like

  4. rachael s Avatar

    i just started reading your blog, but i wanted to say congratulations anyway. i love your ring – it is exactly like mine!

    Like

  5. tee Avatar

    Kind of melting a little right now. Happy happy wishes to the two of you!
    And oh, SO looking forward to seeing the (letterpressed?) invitation designs.

    Like

  6. Sara*P Avatar

    that made me teary. congrats!!

    Like

  7. MaryC Avatar

    I just celebrated my 20th Wedding Anniversary. Being married is the best thing I ever did.
    Congratulations. May you always be in love by being loving to each other.
    I know your wedding, no matter how you arrange it, will be the perfect day. You will, after all, be married in the end.

    Like

  8. Diane Whitford Avatar

    I too was surprised, but not totally surprised (had suspected something was up all week!), by a very normal, “us”, proposal one Friday night! I think it was even better then all the other ways I had imagined it to be. Actually hearing someone say those things to you is the only thing that counts in the end.
    Congratulations. This is such a special time, make sure you enjoy every minute! Especially before the stress of planning begins!

    Like

  9. leah eggers Avatar

    dude i would totally be ok with this becoming a wedding blog. what a lovely ring!

    Like

  10. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    yippeeeeee!!!!! congratulations!!!! oh, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been together or the fact that you “knew” it would happen – it is still just the most exciting and special thing when it happens to you. oh, and you will lay in bed and stare at that ring on your finger for weeks!!!! revel in it! enjoy enjoy enjoy! congrats…….

    Like

  11. Melissa M. Avatar
    Melissa M.

    The sweetest.
    And don’t you dare NOT let the blog become a TLC Wedding Story 🙂

    Like

  12. melanie Avatar
    melanie

    oh my god im in love with you guys

    Like

  13. Dee Avatar

    Congrats Elise and Paul. Let this be the beginning of a wonderful future filled with love and happiness and a little adventure.
    All the best !!

    Like

  14. lauren Avatar

    congratulations, elise!!!! 🙂
    so happy for you & paul!!!
    now, get on w/ the wedding story sappy stuff!
    *

    Like

  15. melissa mann Avatar

    So happy for ya’ll!!! Fabulous story!
    Melissa

    Like

  16. Sharmaine Avatar

    Congrats Elise!!
    My proposal was “So how about it?”
    And that was perfect!!
    yay to you both 🙂

    Like

  17. donya Avatar

    Congratulations!
    My husband and I had a very similar engagement story (expected but still surprising when it happens), and I think it’s the best kind!
    I look forward to seeing what wonderful wedding invites you’ll create for your big day 🙂

    Like

  18. Christina Avatar

    congratulations and best wishes to you and your fiance.

    Like

  19. deanna thompson Avatar
    deanna thompson

    congratulations you two!!!
    best wishes…
    deanna

    Like

  20. rose Avatar

    congratulations… can’t wait to see the invites! hehe

    Like

  21. giuseppina Avatar

    oh. my. gosh.
    !!!
    congrats!!! so so happy for you 😀
    and paul!

    Like

  22. thursday Avatar

    Yay! Congratulations!!
    Um, I had PMS when my husband proposed. It was not ideal, for sure. But that’s ok. No matter what it’s like, it’s always memorable. I mean, really, you’re all of a sudden ENGAGED.

    Like

  23. Stephanie Wheeler Avatar

    Being married is the best.ever.
    Best wishes!!!

    Like

  24. katie r Avatar

    soooo happy! I am sure your version of a wedding story will be wonderful! Our proposal is similar. PJs and chipolte to celebrate… but its genuinely us too. Your ring is beautiful and you will still look at it on your hand for years and smile and get butterflies. 🙂

    Like

  25. stacey fike Avatar

    dude! so happy for you! ours was the same way, low key and perfectly us.

    Like

  26. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    Congratulations!!
    I’m so happy for you, you so deserve all the happiness in the world. You guys are so cute, and i reckon even when you’re 80 with all your grandkids around you will still be one of those couples who are totally cute, holding hands and still so in love.

    Like

  27. kim whitten Avatar

    love the ring!
    Totally classic and timeless.

    Like

  28. Lane C Avatar

    Just a lurker saying CONGRATS! So cute!!

    Like

  29. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    Beautiful ring. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.
    (I mostly lurk, but I couldn’t help but comment–twice–today! I’m a newlywed, so this struck a chord.)

    Like

  30. Sarah Avatar

    Congratulations!! How exciting, and great story. 🙂 Happy planning!

    Like

  31. Creole Wisdom Avatar

    way exciting. that ring is just gorgeous. how nice that you will have time to plan a wedding, and have so much to look forward to. and no worries about TLC, I know your planning will be especially class : )

    Like

  32. miss money Avatar

    congratulations!!! hooray! i would be so happy if you document all the detaitls. i’m so sad i’m day behind finding out.
    & great ring!

    Like

  33. Amy Tangerine Avatar

    oh how i delight in your stories!
    especially this one!

    Like

  34. kerry lynn Avatar

    oh
    wonderful
    wonderful
    beautiful news!!!
    congratulations love birds!
    xoxo

    Like

  35. Gemma Avatar

    How cute! My engagement was much the same, we’d talked, we’d ring shopped, I had an idea of when he might do it but when it came down to it I was still as utterly suprised as I could be and still so incredibly happy.
    Congrats again to the two of you, and GORGEOUS ring!

    Like

  36. Signe Avatar
    Signe

    That´s beautifull, congrats to you both! And please do write about the wedding planning and thoughts…. 🙂

    Like

  37. Steph Baxter Avatar
    Steph Baxter

    Awwww, so sweet!

    Like

  38. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    You gave me goosebumps!! And you so can make it a wedding story blog!

    Like

  39. heidi Avatar

    I just read a couple of your recent tweets and thought this was the case… congratulations elise!!!

    Like

  40. Mel Avatar

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That sweet blog entry made my morning 🙂

    Like

  41. Erica Avatar
    Erica

    Congratulations!! And yes, it should be a wedding blog! 🙂

    Like

  42. Gayle P. Avatar
    Gayle P.

    I’ve read your blog for about a year now, and I’ve always loved your stories about P. I think you guys are an awesome couple and my biggest congratulations go out to you and P on your exciting engagement!!!

    Like

  43. MaRiA Avatar

    this is soooooo sweet! Congrats!!!

    Like

  44. Suzzi Avatar

    I agree w/ wedding blog. Love to see the invites/decorations you’ll do.
    Congrats. I love hearing these ?’s and responses. I love non-traditional proposals & not over the top.
    TFS! Great ring.

    Like

  45. Vanessa Avatar

    OH! congrats again! GORGEOUS ring, very you! and what a sweet proposal : ) he is a lucky man. and i wont mind if your blog turns into a wedding blog : ) i”m addicted to those and i am no where near being engaged

    Like

  46. Breanne Crawford Avatar

    wohooo… look at that RING!!! you already know how incredibly happy i am for you and paul. and i dont mind it becoming like tlc up in here ;0

    Like

  47. Taylor Avatar

    Congratulations!! 🙂

    Like

  48. Megan D Avatar
    Megan D

    I am a total lurker but, Congrats! Your ring is beautiful and seriously, it’s totally cool if you share your wedding plans because I’m sure you have crazy creative/beautiful/amazing ideas!

    Like

  49. Leslie McLaughlin Avatar
    Leslie McLaughlin

    Hi, I just found your blog and what a great way to get to know you. I love paper projects and your work is so great. I just sent my youngest to college last fall so we aren’t very close in age but I am inspired by your work. Congrats on your engagement. I can’t wait to see more about the wedding.
    I have a shop on etsy and 1000markets selling cards I make. Congrats again- keep inspiring me.

    Like

  50. Meg Paquette Avatar
    Meg Paquette

    i’m tearin’ up. that sounds absolutely perfect. i’m so happy for you e & p. what a lovely life you’ll share. best wishes.

    Like

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