The Making of Meaken, chapter 3.

The Proposal.

Exactly one year ago, The Boy Who Would Become The Fiance and I were making plans for New Year's Eve. We had been invited to the annual party at a friend's, but since TBWWBTF was also taking one of his many financial license exams that morning, he requested a more laid-back evening. We decided to take games, the fixings for dinner, and our dog to my family's cabin and spend the holiday just the two of us.

He was nervous, but I thought it was because of his test in the morning. Now, a little over a year had passed since our first date. We had been shopping for houses for over two months and since he had been given the "no roommates without a ring" ultimatum, I had my suspicions. Who can blame me? We had been ring shopping months before and TBWWBTF had let it slip on Christmas Eve that he had asked for my parents' permission to marry me. He was like a little kid on, well, Christmas ... he couldn't contain himself. So yes, I knew The Big Question was coming. Did I know it was that night? No, I swore it was going to be Valentine's Day. Or Closing Day when we finally found a house. Or sometime just Later.

So that's why I put on a dress (at TBWWBTF suggestion), packed up a bunch of food and our Wii, and headed to the lake. TBWWBTF spent the evening teasing me about a present he had for me at midnight, something he said he didn't give me for Christmas. I love presents and I'm really bad with surprises, so I spent the evening quizzing him about it. Not gonna lie, once when he was in the bathroom, I weight-tested the gift and it was way too heavy to be a ring box. That was enough to put me off the trail, in spite of the signs. TBWWBTF had posted a facebook status update announcing that he was planning on popping the question, but told me his phone wasn't getting a signal in the Middle of Nowhere Cabin, which meant I couldn't check mine or spoil the surprise. He was blatantly nervous, and received an obscene number of text and emails from friends. That annoyed me, didn't they know we weren't coming to the party?!

Instead, we had an otherwise quiet night together.

We made dinner - steak, twice-baked potatoes with pesto, roasted asparagus, and cake for dessert. TBWWBTF "let me" win at Wii Boxing (twice) and we watched all of the silly NYE coverage on television.
Tucker Bear spent the whole night holed up in a chair like this. He could have cared less about the tension building in the room.

We drank champagne all night. A cheap one and an expensive one. I don't remember being able to tell the difference.

Finally, it was a minute to midnight! TBWWBTF refilled our glasses and hit play on my ipod - he had put together a special playlist for the moment. Frank Sinatra's "Let's Fall in Love" started. This is when things started to dawn on me, and I started getting a serious case of butterfly tummy. I remember thinking, "This could really be it!" We sat in front of the fireplace, counting down starting on the television...

3... 2... 1 ... HAPPY NEW YEAR! TBWWBTF and I kissed to commemorate the end and the beginning. And then I tore into my present.

Why, a martini glass. The kind I collect. But wait, what's that painted all over it? Are those wedding rings? My head started spinning and I could feel the nervous giggles start happening somewhere between my stomach and my throat. I looked at TBWWBTF ... he was on one knee and there was a little grey ring box in his hand. He was smiling, shaking a little, and trying to say something. The words were not happening. He was able to get out the simple question,

"Will you marry me?"

I wish I could say that I cried sweetly and said yes right away. Nope. Instead, I started laughing hysterically and completely inappropriately. Instead of "yes" there was a dozen or so, "ARE YOU SERIOUS????" And more laughter. And falling off the couch on top of TBWWBTF . And more "ARE YOU SERIOUS???" And putting the ring on. And laughing more.

I know that eventually I said yes, and after several calls to family and friends, the general shock wore off. I could not stop staring at my hand. I couldn't believe we were engaged. The Fiance's nerves had dissipated enough that he was finally able to tell me the words he had planned, but hadn't been able to get out in the moment. He said that he couldn't wait another minute of another year to ask me to marry him. He couldn't wait to plan our lives together. That's when I started crying. I don't remember ever feeling so happy.

That's how The Boy became The Fiance. 2009 started well for me, and turned out to be an amazing year in my life. 2010 certainly has a lot of potential to beat it, and I can't wait to see how this all turns out.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

I've Never Gotten a Blog Award Before

But low and behold Ashley over at Banker by Day was so kind as to give me one for Christmas.


The RULES are:
1. Copy the award image in your post.
2. List 10 things that make you happy, and try to do at least one of them today.
3. Then, tag 10 bloggers that make you happy!
4. For the 10 bloggers who get the award, link back to me and spread the happiness!

My Ten Happy Things:
1. Christmas. This may be a duh, but since it is today, I must include it. It's a rush to see all of our family at once, but the love and laughter is free-flowing. Presents don't hurt either.
2. Tucker Bear. My dog has 50 pounds of personality packed into an 8 pound body. He's funny and makes weird noises and just makes me laugh all the time. And he's a snuggly little monkey that likes to spoon.
3. Big venti lattes from Starbucks, particularly when delivered in the morning by The Fiance. We get coffee every Saturday morning and I always get a venti skinny vanilla latte. Sometimes the Latte Fairy even has one waiting for me on the kitchen counter when I wake up. Now that's the stuff of great romance, people. It makes my day.
4. Baking yumminess. I get constant enjoyment out of the reactions from people eating something tasty that I made. It's a stress-relief, though not great for the old diet plan.
5. My bed. God, how I love it. We blew a significant chunk of our home buyer's stimulus check on new furniture, a delicious mattress, and fluffy white bedding. It's my favorite place in my house, and possibly in the world.
6. New cookbooks. I just like books in general, but cookbooks have a special place in my heart. Pretty much ever Borders coupon I get nets me a new book, and my FMIL has the fabulous hobby of sending me home with piles that have been deleted from the library stock where she works. I am one of those people that actually enjoys reading a cookbook, particularly ones where the author has included loads of fun stories and tidbits (for people like me).
7. Throwing Parties. Especially since we bought our house earlier this year, it makes me incredibly happy having people over. Partly due to #4, of course, since it gives me an excuse to bake something. I'd much rather have people over than go out to a bar or something. I am such a homebody.
8. Making my mom laugh. Actually, making people laugh in general is fun, but my mom's laugh gets me in particular.
9. Facebook. There, I admit it. It makes me happy to see pictures and updates from people I am friends with and not so much friends with anymore. I love engagement announcements and wedding photos and (God help me) peoples' babies. Maybe I'm just a gossip or nosey, but I really like being in the know.
10. Blogging. Also a duh, but I swear this has become one of my favorite hobbies. I appreciate the people who read it (my mom included ...Hiiiiiiii Mom) but I would still write it even if I had no followers. I hope everyone reading this has a fabulous Christmas today and I look forward to writing for you in the New Year. *puffy heart*

10 Bloggers who make me happy:
1. Brit @ Landlocked Bride
2. Steph @ Just Shoe Me
3. Amy @ Relentless Brides
4. Bee @ Bee & Patrick's Wedding
5. Chocolate Lover's Confessions
6. Jamie @ My Baking Obsession
7. Encore! Encore!
8. Marney @ Foul Mouthed Hooligans
9. Emily @ Pretty & Poor
10. Salt Says...

Have a FABOOSH Christmas all! And to all a good night!

It's the MOST wonderful tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime of the year!

I love Christmas.

Today The Fiance and I will be celebrating with my family. As we have for as long as I can remember (thanks to a tradition I only recently learned was German), we will be opening our gifts tonight after dinner. My family starts with the youngest, which means I've been usurped by The Fiance, who has four months on me.

The Fiance is wholly unable to keep his gifts a secret. This year we opted for one surprise present and also some gifts we bought for each other together. He held out til Tuesday, and then he couldn't wait anymore. I was thrilled to open up the shiny new HP laptop that he had said we would buy later next year. Completely shocked and I love it. He wants me to be able to blog downstairs on the couch with him instead of holed up in my office. What a sweetie. I surprised him with novelty etched pilsner glasses and several "________ of the Month" coupons for through out the year. I don't feel like my present even comes close, but he seemed happy.

We decorated our house a few weeks ago. I love having a house to decorate! We didn't buy much new this year, but what we have went a long way. But isn't the fun part adding to the collection over time anyway?

We kind of ran out of lights. It's not bad for our first year, but we'll be adding more to the bushes and upstairs windows next year. Our neighborhood kind of goes all out.

We need stockings. This is the extent of what we have. I am not sure why my mom gave me this, but there it hangs, with care, by the chimney. We need to add The Fiance's but his mom is hanging onto his.

I love our tree. We're in the fake tree camp due to allergies on my part. When I moved out of my parent's house, my mom gave me all of the ornaments that had been gifts from her over the years. Along with some colorful "filler" packs from Target, the tree is really full. I didn't have a topper at first, but The Fiance brought home a pretty lighted star one evening and it's perfect.

Speaking of ornaments, you know someone in your family is a Brewmaster when your ornament storage is a beer box. Seriously though ... heavy cardboard, ready-made compartments, it's kind of genius. I have a Bud and a Select. Maybe Santa will bring me a case of Bud Light this year to complete the collection.

And under the tree? That would be one of Tucker Bear's bones. We've been finding toys hidden in the tree skirt for weeks. We'll find him hanging out under there every once in awhile too.

Kitchy light-up candy cane care of my grandmother. It's as old as I am, possibly older. This is infinitely cooler than the 6-foot inflatable penguin next door.

I love our fireplace. After the tree, those wire presents are my favorite decorations. Totally worth the agonizing two months I spent working at Pier 1 over the holidays three years ago. The mantle and hearth are covered in Christmas cards now too. Reminders of those who love us even though I epically failed to send them out myself.

My girly pink and red ornament wreath actually works really well with our front door color. The Fiance even likes it. Sweet!

A year ago, The Fiance asked my parents' blessing for asking me to marry him. Much like the laptop, he was so excited about it that he told me right away. He could barely contain himself. "Like a kid at Christmas" is a very relevant term for us.

It's hard to believe how time has flown, but today marks the fourth anniversary of my grandfather's passing away. We'll be spending some time at Camp Butler today to remember the man that so influenced my family and our Christmas traditions. Enjoy this season with your loved ones and please take a moment to appreciate how short life is, and how precious each holiday is, regardless of what you observe, believe, or celebrate.

Happy Holidays, friends. I've had a wonderful time writing this blog this year, and I appreciate that you all have come to read it. I am very much looking forward to 2010 and all that will come along during the next year.

Here's wishing you all a safe and Merry Christmas, from The Fiance and I.

The Making of MeaKen, chapter two.

The First "Date."

When I first moved to St Louis, I spent most of the first summer being single and having fun. I dated a bit, made some questionable decisions, and pretty much enjoyed myself a lot ... all of which culminated on Halloween, which I spent downtown with a couple of girlfriends, dressed as a flapper in a bright red wig. And also where my purse was stolen ... including ID, camera, cell phone, and favorite lipgloss. I flounced home in tears, lamenting my bad luck the entire way. It was the last in a series of bad luck occurrences that had left me wondering if taking the leap and moving to the big city had been the right choice for me. I was at a crossroads.

Who knew the answer I needed would come via Facebook? I posted an all-points bulletin to my friends for cell phone numbers to replace the ones I had lost. Who should be one of the first responders but The Boy Who Would Someday Become The Fiance. He suggested a dinner the following weekend to catch up. Harmless, no? The night of the meet-up, I called a friend frantically, a friend who also knew The Boy Who Would Someday Become The Fiance.

Me: I think I am going on a date with The Boy Who Would Someday Become The
Fiance.
Her: Nooooooo, it's not a date. Surely not. You're just friends. No date there, no sir. No how.

But I was still nervous, so I agonized over an outfit and changed my shoes three times. The Boy Who Would Someday Become The Fiance was right on time and we headed out ... to no where. Neither of us had planned on a particular destination. We ended up just about as far from my apartment as you can get and still be in St Louis county, at an Italian bistro. Dinner went well, no breaks in the conversation and no real signs of flirting, just what you'd expect from old friends, right?

Well, then something changed. The Boy Who Would Someday Become The Fiance suggested a drink before heading home, and we ended up at a Japanese restaurant closer to my apartment. Of course, being the super fun single girl that I was, I suggested saki bombs. We actually high-fived over it. Who high-fives on a date? THIS GIRL. The shot gave me just enough courage, I suppose, and I turned it ON. I flirted my pants off. I tossed my hair. I put my hand on his leg during a story. I laughed at all of his jokes. I smiled, giggled, batted my eyelashes. I pulled out the big guns, folks.

And then he drove me home. We said good night ... I smiled at him, leaned over ... and received the most awkward one-armed in-the-car-with-a-seatbelt-on hugs ever. Epically awkward. He promised he'd call. I went home, still in the Friend Zone, obviously. Flirting FAIL.

I called my friend before I even got in the door.

Me: Yeah, I think I just went on a date with The Boy Who Would Someday Become
The Fiance.
Her: *gushes* OMG I know! He's so in love with you! He always has been! I've been hearing about this for YEARS! He has such a HUGE CRUSH ON YOU!
Me: But then WHY DIDN'T HE KISS ME???

So that's nice and confusing. Apparently he has big mushy love feelings for me, and yet no kiss. Flirting, yes, but a platonic good night at best. Subtlety is lost on me, obviously.

But guess what? He did call, the very next day too. He was genuinely pleased to talk to me, in spite of being at a Mizzou football game with a friend. He wanted me to hear the cannon that's fired off after a touchdown. And he wanted to make plans to hang out again the next day. I actually jumped up and down silently in my apartment. A movie date was made.

He brought over Knocked Up, quite possibly The Most Awkward Date Movie of All Time. We sat 3 feet apart on my couch, laughing uncomfortably at the sexy bits. After the movie was over, he got up to leave. We're still in the Friend Zone. I felt my friend had mislead me. I am not a patient person, so I decided to find out for myself. No more waiting for The Boy Who Would Someday Become The Fiance to make a move. As he put on his coat and went to leave, I grabbed him and planted a kiss on him. By the look on his face, you'd have thought I shot him. But then he kissed me back.

"I've been waiting to do that for a long time," he said. And we've been together ever since.

How was your First Date? Did it go as expected? Were there sparkles and fireworks?

Chicken Broccoli Braid.

Baby, it's cold outside. And when the weather gets like this, I automatically crave comfort foods. My most favorite meal is a recipe my mom always makes. It's a family staple now. She even made it for The Fiance recently, so he's officially in the club now too.

Chicken Broccoli Braid

2 C chicken, cooked and cubed
1 C broccoli, chopped fine and cooked
1/2 C red pepper, diced fine
1 C shredded cheddar
1 garlic clove
1/2 C mayonnaise
1 tsp dill
1/2 tsp salt
2 pkg crescent roll dough
1 egg white, slightly beaten

Preheat the oven to 375. Mix chicken and broccoli in a large
bowl. Add red pepper, cheese, garlic, mayo, dill, and salt. Mix
until well combined. Unroll crescent dough on top of each other on a
cookie sheet. Roll dough to edges, making sure seams are closed and
thickness is even. Spread filling, longways, down the center of the dough, leaving several inches of exposed dough on either side. Cut exposed dough from filling to edge in 1 1/2 inch strips (leaving attached). Lift strips and braid down length of filling, making sure that the filling is completely covered. Tuck ends to seal and brush with egg white. Bake 25-28 minutes, or until crust is a deep golden brown. Adapted from Pampered Chef

Enjoy!

Dilled Chex Mix

Party season. I can think of few things that make better party food than Chex Mix. The catch, however, is that I don't really like the stuff. Call me crazy, I know. The Fiance looked at my like I had three heads when I told him. There are a few exceptions: puppy chow (or muddy buddies if you're southern) being the first and Dilled Chex Mix being the second.

Back in college, Bridesmaids Katie and Adrienne were still Roommates Katie and Adrienne, we would have weekly Family Dinners and watch marathon sessions of The OC and Grey's Anatomy. I experimented and came up with this and it was a big hit ... even I liked it!

Dilled Chex Mix
1 C butter
1 tsp season salt
4 tsp dill
2/3 C grated Parmesan
1 12oz package Rice Chex

Melt butter, add seasoning. Toss with cereal until well coated. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake until the Chex are toasted light brown. Drain on paper towels and cool.

Enjoy your holiday parties!

The Making of MeaKen, chapter one.

Now that we're closing in on the one-year anniversary of our engagement (and my wedding planning is somewhat paused for the moment - we're in a stalled out phase) I've decided to take an ole strolleroo down memory lane. It's no Black Heels and Tractor Wheels, but I want to share the story of how the Him and the Me became the Us.

So we'll start at the beginning: Once upon a dorm room...

I was chatting with my little baby cousin yesterday about studying for her first round of finals at the University of Illinois. Oh how it brought back the memories. I loved my freshman year of college - I loved the dorm I had been assigned to and made some amazing friends. It made me quite nostalgic ... that was, of course, when I met The Boy Who Would Someday Become The Fiance.

I lived on an all girls floor of a co-ed dorm. A friend of mine from high school lived upstairs, so as soon as the boys moved in (I was there a week early for formal sorority recruitment) I went to the Second Floor. My HS friend and the half dozen guys who lived in the rooms around him soon became known as the Second Floor Boys ... The Fiance included. There were three other pledges in my sorority house in the same hall, and we all power-bonded.

The Boy Who Would Someday Become The Fiance was the prankster of the group. Early in the fall semester, he showed up at the door of my dorm room with a master plan to steal my roommate's mattress. I wish I could say that I tried to stop him. At the time I thought he had a crush on her. Ohhhh I was wrong.

(taken right after finals, just about 8 years ago, when we were "just friends.")

Freshman year, we all got so slap-happy studying for finals that it dissolved into an all-dorm midnight game of sardines. I ended up hiding in The Fiance's laundry basket. He was in his closet too. I remember giggling like idiots for about 20 minutes. I survived that finals week on Kitkat Bites and Diet Coke, if I remember right.
So that's how we met. It was a series of meetings - over illicitly purchased margaritas, over late-night res hall fire drills, over insanely large stacks of notecards, over Political Science 101, over trying to fit 10 freshmen in the back of a blue Mustang ... I guess that's what happens when you start out as friends. There wasn't ever any big moment. We clicked immediately, that's for sure, but neither of us had any idea that it would ever be more than that.
I tell my little baby cousin now to enjoy her freshman year. It's a unique experience, and a lot of fun. I love hearing her stories - it sounds like she is making the same kind of friends I found, which means she is a very lucky girl. Besides, you never know when the funny boy upstairs with the sweet smile and an affinity for pranks will turn out to be the man you'll spend your life with.
So how did you meet your fiance?