Meet Katelyn's other half

Alex (my fiancé) and I met a few years ago while working together at the J.W. Marriott as In-Room Dining Servers. We immediately became friends as soon as we figured out that we shared the exact same humor (Anchorman, anyone?). I think I realized I actually liked him more than just a friend when he made me breakfast and brought over all the Harry Potter movies for me when I was sick. Alex on the other hand always had feelings for me, he will forever deny that though. A few months after we started dating I moved to Spain to study Spanish for the year.

Me in front of Granada's Alhambra 

My beautiful city

We figured out that distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Anyways, I came home for the holidays between semesters a few days before Christmas. It was so great to spend Christmas with all my loved ones, but little did I know the real surprise was in two more days. On December 27th, the day long engagement began. 

***Side note- Alex and I had discussed marriage about two times before this day. I even managed to freak out when he tried to get me into a jewelry store, like panic attack/walk faster/sweating/the whole nine yards. 

Alex wakes me up at 7:00 am this particular morning because he couldn't sleep he was so excited. So being the sick, jet lagged, ball of fun I was, I rolled out of bed and we were off to Wolfgang's for some breakfast. This restaurant is a Grand Rapids favorite with awesome hazelnut coffee, and where Alex and I first had breakfast together.

Okay, so the next surprise Alex had for me was a manicure! Alex also participated in this activity (I'm totally embarrassing him right now), but hey, it is called a MANicure right? We then jumped over to the theater to see my choice of Happy Feet 2. Next in line was a trip to Fredrick Meijer Gardens, where we had our first date.

Enjoying ourselves at the gardens :)

I was so exhausted by this time that I asked to go home. Alex had different plans. We went to Madcap for a cup of coffee and from there he told me he "forgot" something at work and we needed to pick it up. We stopped by the hotel and I decided to go in so I could say hi to everyone. For some odd reason he brought me to the spa and upon entering the receptionist asked if I was there for my appointment at 3:00. Alex quickly kissed me then scooted out of there. After an hour long massage, I was handed a room key and told to go to this room (I was starting to put two and two together). When I opened the door there were rose petals on the floor and on the bed and a little black dress with the instructions to meet him at 6:30 in the concierge lounge. I SWEAR this really happened :)

So I got ready and met him for a glass of wine then we went to the restaurant in the hotel for a private dinner for two. (Seriously, could it get any better?) After dinner we were going to stop by his locker to get a bottle of wine he picked up for us, but instead of getting that bottle of wine...this happened. 

Did I mention all our family and friends were watching up above? Oh, this is also the exact spot Alex saw me for the first time. I'm blushing just thinking about all this again.

So many hugs!

We all shuffled over to a private room where we had cake and champagne.

So there you have it! This was one of the best days of my entire life. I couldn't be more excited to spend the rest of my life with this handsome man and his family too. He makes me a better person every single day. So here's to a happy and long marriage with my best friend! Did I mention Laura's in the wedding? 

So happy :D

My beautiful ring! He picked it out himself. Luckily my ring finger is the size of his pinky finger because he had no idea my size when he bought it.

So that's the shortened version of the proposal. I can't tell you how many times I've told this story and it will never get old. So...good job Alex, for making all the other ladies jealous (I know you're going to eventually read this). 

Until next time! 

xoxo K

P.S. I graduate in 3 days!!