All the stars in the sky....

Chris often asks me "How much do you love me?" For the longest time I would stretch out my arms as far as they would go and say, "Thhhhhis much." To which he would tease me by saying, "That's it?!?!" He would then pout until I assured him that I love him very very much. And then, one day, I found the perfect card to give to him {which now hangs on our fridge for him to reference anytime he needs some reassurance}:

"All the stars in the sky and all the shells on the shore...if you counted them up, I'd still love you more."
Today, we are celebrating our one year anniversary and I just cannot get over how lucky I am to have him in my life. I love you b. xoxoxo, wifey.
photo by: nicole green with a little extra processing from picknic

Poll Winner: The Dip

The winner of this fun little poll was "the dip" picture with 43 of the 123 votes! "Down the Stairs" came in a close second and will absolutely have a special spot in our home as well. Thank you so much for your votes and I promise to post a picture of it above our mantle once we {finally} move into our new house!
I enhanced the winning picture {above} by using picnik. I converted the b&w picture to sepia and then added dramatic touch with a vignette around the edges. The picture will be framed in a brown frame and will compliment our chocolate brown furniture just perfectly.
original photo by: nicole green

Tying the Knot: Just a Couple More

What's a blogger to do when she has nothing to blog about?
Post pictures of herself, naturally.
For some reason there are a couple pictures of our wedding day that you haven't seen yet. So, a day like today is the perfect time to share them with you all.
The picture below flew under the radar with me for a while. It's now one of my favorites. previously in the series "tying the knot": we did it, a preview, our honeymoon, our candy bar, lifesaver, getting ready, our first look, the bride and groom, bouquets and boutonnieres, the shoes, the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, the bridal party, the sock shot, favorites, the ceremony, the bubbles and the get away, rawry, toasts and dancing, the cake, reception details, what happens next
all pictures by: nicole green. please link back to tying the knot when posting any of these pictures.

Tying the Knot: Favorites

The bridesmaids and groomsmen were on their way to the church and there we were with a couple minutes all to ourselves before our wedding ceremony. I remember the moments that Chris and I were able to share while these pictures were being taken. Knowing that in a short while the church doors would open and I would walk down the aisle, vows would be exchanged and we would be married. I know that I've already mentioned that I have a lot of favorite pictures from our wedding day. But these are my real favorites. Hands down. Maybe it's because they are phenomenal or perhaps its because these pictures capture perfectly the words in "Union" by Robert Fulghum:"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks – all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “you know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, and even teacher. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife."
previously in the series "tying the knot": we did it, a preview, our honeymoon, our candy bar, lifesaver, getting ready, our first look, the bride and groom, bouquets and boutonnieres, the shoes, the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, the bridal party, the sock shot
all pictures by: nicole green. please link back to tying the knot when posting any of these pictures.

Tying the Knot: The Bride and Groom

After our first look we went up the steps to a lounge area in the area above the hotel lobby. Stephanie had chilled champagne waiting for us and we spent a couple more moments taking each other in while Nicole took some pictures of us. Chris looks at me like this all the time. So admiringly. Just kidding.

Then it was time for a couple of close-ups. These are some of my favorites. Can't you just see about 8 of these black and white prints framed in black frames and hung on wall in our home!?


Friends, to be honest, I have at least 20 favorite pictures from our wedding day. And when I say favorite I mean absolute fav-or-ite. Here are three pictures that make me smile every time I look at them...

By this time, our bridal party had assembled in the lobby. It was time for us to take our group pictures together. The day was already flying by, but I was so happy and content that it didn't bother me one bit.

previously in the series "tying the knot": we did it, a preview, our honeymoon, our candy bar, lifesaver, getting ready, our first look

all pictures by: nicole green. please link back to tying the knot when posting any of these pictures.

Anniversary

Three years ago today I was your typical college sorority girl who couldn’t believe that she met the man she was going to marry just a month and a half ago at a concert in Cincinnati. Three years ago today I remember exactly what I was doing when Chris and I had “the talk.” Three years ago today he asked me to be his girlfriend.

A year ago today I was sitting in my apartment unengaged and researching florists for the wedding I knew we would be having at some point in the fall of 2008. There was a knock at the door, a “trick-or-treater”. And then there was a blur of excitement, a ring on my finger, and a bottle of champagne being popped. A year ago today, Chris asked my Daddy for permission to marry me and crafted the perfect, surprise, proposal. A year ago today we became engaged.

And here I sit, looking back on those three years that have flown by. I think about how fate brought us together at that concert and how different, and more wonderful, my life has been since I shook his hand and introduced myself. I think about all the laughs and tears we have shared, places we have been, and memories we have made. I think about how he has always been there for me {and Mommy}, especially over the last few horribly difficult months. I think about how lucky I am. Happy three year anniversary, I love you Chris.

And to my readers, Happy Halloween! Today's pretty picture is one of my favorite aisles, ever. Very fall-ish and appropriate for Halloween, don't you think!? Picture found here.p.s. if you're new to my little blog you can read how we met & how he proposed by clicking on the links below.
how we met

the proposal

You Should Know...

I have been tagged by Lyndsy of Stella Event Design and Linda of Silly Little Mischief to share a little bit about the fiance.
1. He doesn't read this blog. Shocking, I know.
2. He is a ridiculously good golfer. Seriously. Good thing he didn't go pro or else he would have never met me.
3. He has more clothes (and shoes) than I do.
4. He is the apple of my Mother's eye. Not that it's a bad thing. It's just kind of hard for an only child to grasp the fact that the fridge that used to be covered with pictures of ME is now covered in pictures of US. So what do I do? Every once in a while, when I am home, I take a magnet and put it over his face. Mommy promptly removes it.
5. He always, always, always beats me in board games. And then gloats about it.
6. He's the bestest....and pretty good looking if I do say so myself:

(circa 2005)

We shall tag: a new friend, Amy of: Fiance Meeting You Here, Sarah of The McWoods, and Kate of Waterfront Preppy

VIP Valentines Day

I blogged a long time ago about how Chris and I met at a Rascal Flatts concert back in 2005. I love telling the story of how we met and I will always be a fan of Rascal Flatts since they brought us together.

This past Spring we took a trip to NYC. A few weeks before the trip we found out RF was playing on the Good Morning America Concert Series during the time we would be in NYC. We instantly applied, and received, VIP tickets. I would say, for me, it was the highlight of our NYC trip.

(Chris and I after the RF concert in NYC. Please excuse the tired-ness....we had to get up at 4am to get in line.)

Since meeting at the summer 2005 concert, we have gone to the 2006 and 2007 RF summer concerts in Cincinnati...a guaranteed good time.

(l to r: groomsman, bridesmaid, bride, and groom. Also l to r: groom, bride, bridesmaid, and groomsman)

So when I heard that RF is coming to my hometown over Valentine's Day weekend...I knew I had the perfect present for Chris. Perfect because we are not only going to the concert, but we have VIP seats! I am more than ecstatic. To add to my ecstatic-ness, we applied for Meet & Greet passes. Imagine my delight when I got approved to meet the band before the show! But the pass is only good for ONE person, and Chris didn't get approved =(. I really wanted to take a picture with the band that brought us together. Anyone know someone who knows someone who can score us one backstage pass!? I would owe you one. Big time.

Pictures!!

So I thought it was time to post a picture of Chris and I! This is a picture taken this past Fourth of July on the pier of the sailing club my parents belong to.

I do have a "thing" for black and white pictures, they always look so classic and clean! As a prelude of things to come, I would LOVE for my wedding to have a "tying the knot" theme. My vision is engagement pictures (and STD's) taken at the lake (think nautical/sailing theme), navy bridesmaid dresses, navy and white invitations with a splash of bright green, sailor rope everywhere, a DIY escort card board with sailor rope, etc. Get excited!!

How We Met

I thought that the next snippet I should share is the story of how Chris and I met. It was my senior year of college and my good friend Angie and I decided on a whim to drive 2 hours to Cincinnati, OH to see a Rascal Flatts concert together. So, on 9/9/05 off we went on a little road trip. I had called my sorority sister Melissa, who moved to Cincinnati, to arrange a place for us to stay for the night. The concert was amazing and Angie and I were glad that we had embarked on our adventure together. We called Melissa after the concert and found out that she was still babysitting. So, naturally we decided to take in the Cincinnati nightlife while we were waiting on Melissa. The task at hand, which Angie eagerly accepted, was to get directions to the Cincinnati bars from a group of guys. After one or two failed attempts, we spotted a group of three good looking men just waiting to be talked to. In traditional "Angie" fashion, she wasted no time approaching them. As luck (fate) would have it, they were looking for a ride to the bars since they had been dropped off by friends before the concert. After passing some time in the crowded parking lot waiting to leave by playing volleyball, we were off to the bars. I sat in the back seat, next to Chris and he put is arm around me and we started talking...and didn't stop. We were inseperable the rest of the night, sharing stories, laughs, and our first kiss. And here we are, almost 2 years later!

About Us...Again!

The love of my life is Christopher. He's currently 26 years old and residing in Cincinnati, OH. Chris is the youngest of 4 children and was born and raised in Cincinnati. He attended the University of Cincinnati on a golf scholarship and majored in civil engineering. He currently works for a small civil engineering firm that has high hopes for his management potential!
Chris has many hobbies that keep him busy throughout the week. He is on a baseball league, two softball leagues, and a sub for a golf league. On the weekends he enjoys wakeboarding at any lake that he can find (in the summer!), spending time at the pool in his backyard, and seeing his beautiful girlfriend! =)
Thats the short and sweet version. Since he still doesn't know that I'm blogging about him, I'll keep it to a minimum until I have the courage to tell him!

About Us

Today I will talk a little bit about...myself!
I was born in Ft. Wayne, IN and moved to Indianapolis, IN to go to college at Butler University. At Butler University I was a member of Delta Gamma, ran on the cross-country team my freshman year, and had the time of my life. I majored in accounting and spent a lot of hours with my nose in the books. After graduating with my bachelor's, I went right back to Butler for another year to obtain my Masters degree. The summer after that year was spent studying, again, for the CPA exam. So far, I am proud to report that I have passed 2 parts of the exam!!
I will begin work in the professional world in September, working for a publilc accounting firm as a staff auditor. From there, who knows where I will end up, but I am excited about the journey ahead! Currently, I enjoy NOT studying, spending time with friends, and spiltting my time on the weekends between Indianapolis and Cincinnati, where Christopher lives.
Tomorrow, or later tonight, I will post a little somethin' about my better half!