The Wedding Path: How I Popped the Question

This was a great summer. I was able to spend some extended time with Ruth in Oxfordshire. Previously she had dropped a hint or two about Blenheim Palace and the area called the Secret Gardens. She mentioned that she thought that it was the romantic spot in England. I knew that was the place to propose. I had already spent a week there and returned to New York to teach a few classes. Now they were over and I had all of August to return to England for an extended three and a half weeks. During my time in New York I had purchased the engagement ring. So the day came that we had spoken about. We were going to spend a full day on the grounds of Blenheim Palace and a picnic basket too. We toured the palace and most of the grounds and had a few laughs exchanging tag lines and references from Mel Brooks' History of The World Part I. Many scenes from The French Revolution sequence were filmed there. Afterwards we made our way to the secret gardens. I must admit that she was right. It is definitely one of the most beautiful places in England. It almost reminded me of Rivendell or Lothlorien out of Lord of the Rings. However, as we walked through the garden and crossed some brooks and streams we found big old wooden bench. We sat down and snuggled a little bit and then I got down on one knee and recited a long poem that I had written for the occasion. "I wish that thou wouldst consent to be my wife. Together forever as we sojourn through this journey called life..." She hung upon every word and managed to get though the poem. I took out the ring and she held out her hand. I slipped the ring onto her beautifully soft hand. Later we lounged on the grass with our picnic basket, and completed lunch with a bottle of champagne. Soon after that the wedding plans began.

Last Christmas before the Wedding

Classes broke for Christmas vacation so I had some time to fly down to San Antonio, and do some face to face wedding planning with Ruth. Since she will not have a bridal shower, many people sent us gifts off of our registries at Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy's. When I walked in my first sight was a sea of boxes. We managed to get everything openned and then it was on to Lowes for some paint. She had selected a color washed faux glaze design and it was up to me to make it happen. Ruth and I managed to get pretty awesome glaze job done. Actually I wasn't expecting her to do any painting, but she volunteered anyway. Also she plunked down her credit card at Lowes for some floor lamps and a few other accessories.The house is still far from decorated but the first initial steps are completed. The room we painted is basically a loft room at the top of the stairs. We decided that this area would be perfect for music and reading. We still have to buy the recliners and other things, but I think that my guitars and some Beatles posters are going to look awesome hanging on that wall.

About This Blog

If you have just set a date for your wedding, then maybe this is the place for you. Everyone thinks that their wedding is special and with good reason...it is! From this utterly subjective point of view comes the reasoning behind my desire to tell our story. We're doing all of this planning and decision making via long distance, which squarely puts much of the wheeling, dealing, time, and running around on my shoulders. This does make our courtship and planning quite unique. That's just the way things are when you're a unique couple.
If you read about how we met and subsequent posts about our courtship, then you'll understand our singular situation. However, putting all of that aside, I'm also a bit convinced that we're not so conventional.
First, how many men can claim that their wives come home from work in combat boots and camouflage, and have the skills to field strip an M-16 assault rifle? On the other side of the coin, she would say, How many women out there have a husband who loves to cook and go shopping for furniture and household accessories? Not to overuse a word, but it would seem that uniqueness begets uniqueness.
Although she is stationed in Texas and I'm still in New York, she is from New Jersey, and therefore the wedding will take place in New York, which is the reason why it's going to be a groom planned wedding. Yes there are many trials, tribulations and difficulties, but if we can do it so can you. Let's just say that this is a small piece of inspiration for those of you out there who have just begun or are thinking about starting your wedding plans.

How we met: The First Step Toward The Wedding

It must truly be fate. We met on-line playing LOTRO. We were both members of the same kinship but rarely adventured together. Then we started questing more often once Ruth became a kin officer. That meant that we were both using live chat during play time. One night I proposed a group gathering so that we could all meet up and hopefully have a good time. The idea fell through due to scheduling and expenses. However, a few days later she told that it was a great idea and that we should at least get together and take some pictures for the kinship page. She had acquired some leave time and was flying into the NY area to visit her family. So we both agreed to meet up and have dinner. Wedding bells or romantic fantasies were the last things on our minds. So we met up and went to dinner. She had mentioned that her best friend was having a party that night and she was expected to show up. However, something curiously strange began to take place. We were both beginning to make excuses to extend the evening. So we went to the movies as well and then back to my place to hang out and chat. The initial sparks were crackling.

The Wedding Day Cometh

Welcome to my wedding blog folks! As you can see from the title its going to be a groom planned wedding. My fianceé and I are currently maintaining a long distance relationship. Since she is so far away and because the wedding will take place in New York, she has left many things up to me. Of course we bounce ideas off each other, but she has entrusted me with all of the details. Yes there are many sound reasons for her thinking. Although I can almost hear the sound of many brides-to-be out there cringing at this situation. They're probably thinking that the ushers will be wearing football jerseys with beer drinking helmets, and the bridesmaids will be wearing leather mini-skirts and fishnet stockings. Actually,it's hard to believe that the day of bliss is only six months away.
As for backstory, learn how we met, how I popped the question, our initial planning stages, and our house hunting escapades. Also I'll be posting our latest stages of progress as they occur. Stay with us and throw some rice our way on our wedding day.