ENGAGED

WE'RE ENGAGED!

That's right, folks. Steve popped the question, and I, of course, said "YES!" 

I don't think I've ever been so thrilled in my entire life. He is the most amazing man in the world and I get to spend the rest of my life loving him. I'm feeling beyond blessed right now. 

It all happened Thursday evening when Steve arrived in Grand Rapids after driving from his hometown in Ontario, Canada. He made it to my apartment before I got home from work, and called in a reservation at the Melting Pot, which is where we had our very first dinner date together. I freshened up, threw a dress on, and headed out the door with him around 7pm. We had plans to go check out ArtPrize downtown after dinner, so it was just going to be a low-key evening of walking around. Well, things changed when we were at dinner for almost 2.5 hours. When we got on the subject of weddings (because I have a ton coming up in my family), I mentioned where I had wanted to have my future wedding someday. Steve responded with "Well, I think you should book it." I quickly rolled my eyes and responded with "I'm not going to be that crazy girl that books a venue before I'm engaged."

I then continued to stuff my face full of delicious dark chocolate fondue.

...before I knew it, he was taking out a ring.

I think he had to ask me about three times before I was conscious enough to respond with a solid "YES!" I couldn't believe it was all happening. My heart was thumping, my legs were shaking, and I felt my body starting to sweat. It's all happening. 

I get to marry the man of my dreams.

It was just over one year ago that I took a trip to Nashville with my cousin Ashley and my friend Whitney. The three of us girls decided we needed a ladies weekend in a different city, so we set out to one of my favorite places in the world where I had spent much of my childhood. Tennessee has always felt like a second home to me, and I couldn't wait to bring the girls there for their first time.

It was our second evening there where everything was about to change. 

This is the photo that was taken just hours before I met the man I will soon call my husband.

Nobody saw it coming. It wasn't a 'love at first sight' type of moment. In fact, we met while we were each with a group of friends at a bar in Midtown, Nashville called Losers. We shared casual conversation and eventually exchanged information. I told him I worked in advertising in Grand Rapids, MI, and he told me he was a Canadian country singer/songwriter.

Several weeks later, he told me his plans to drive through GR on his way back to Canada. We made plans to hang out while he was passing through. We made such a strong connection and hit the ground running.
The rest is history.

Fast forward to a year later.
We had plans to get our pictures taken by two of our best friends who are working together to take amazing photos and build a portfolio. We agreed to letting them take our pictures since they wanted some couple's shots. Who knew it would be right after getting engaged?

Steve and I are so fortunate to have such amazing and talented friends. Tieka of Selective Potential and her boyfriend Eric did such an amazing job capturing our love in these amazing photos:

(side note: yes, that's the same outfit I wore the night we met in Nashville)

xoxo,
Laura

Laura's Month of April via Instagram

Just like March, April came and went at high speed.  Is it seriously May tomorrow? 

April was an amazing month.  Time really does fly when you're having fun.  And it surely was BUSY. 

Here's a little recap: 

1. Katelyn and I at the Whitecaps home opener in the Mlive suite.
2. Crocheting a new afghan to help with my insomnia.
3. Stacey and some of her bridesmaids at her bridal shower.
4. Birthday cards! I celebrated turning 26 this month.
5. A little advertisement up on the wall at work for Mlive Movie Night at the UICA.
6. My boyfriend Steve Rivers played two shows on April 19th and 20th at the Back Forty Saloon in GR.
7. Grand Rapids experienced a flood this month. The river was high than some of these office windows.
8. My fellow account associates and I celebrated Administrative Professionals week with a giant orange cake.
9. My best friend of 26 years married her man Ted this past Saturday and I had the pleasure of being her maid of honor. So happy for them!!

Hope you all had as great of a month as I did. Let's hope for a fantastic month of May!

xoxo, 

Laura

7.

Travel Tuesday: Granada, Spain

Lately, I've felt pretty homesick for Granada, Spain. It's funny because I only lived there for a total of seven months, but it was such a memorable life changing time that it will forever feel like home to me. I removed myself from everything and everyone familiar and comfortable in my life and the outcome was unbelievable. If you EVER get the chance to do a study abroad or work abroad, do it! I have learned so many life skills from this experience that I would encourage literally every single person to get out there and learn about new cultures first hand. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my time there.

I love my friends.

Nighttime look at the Alhambra via Mirador San Nicholas 

My first home stay's paella (seriously to die for)

Sunrise walk to my early morning classes, not too shabby.

Both of my hermanas enjoying a little after lunch dessert. I love this photo and how happy they look :)

Day time view of the Alhambra and my city. 

Alex and I are planning to move back to Spain for a few years when the timing is right. Until then, Grand Rapids, Michigan will have to do! 

xoxo, K

P.S. Speaking of traveling....I'm traveling over to Becker's Bridal to pick up my wedding dress! The big day is coming up FAST!

Wooly Wednesday

Katelyn here! So Alex and I are FINALLY getting our engagement photos done tomorrow (after being engaged for a year and two months already). I thought I would share a little sneak peek with everyone as to what I'll be wearing! Here's a little inspiration board I made to get you thinking!

Hopefully the weather isn't too awful tomorrow, but with this Michigan weather it seems like Mother Nature does not want to be bossed around and she's going to do what she wants to do. As long as it's not slushy and too grey outside I won't mind :)

Here's one last photo of the actual sweater I'll be wearing. It's a 100% wool sweater I picked up while in Galway, Ireland last year. It sure is warm, but really itchy if I don't wear a shirt underneath it. So stay tuned in the next few weeks for the actual photos!

Xoxo, 

K

P.S. Sorry about the lack of posts from me lately! If you ever want to spend endless hours not being able to move from your couch...start watching Lost for the first time, hehe.

2012: A Year in Review

Laura here:


I remember exactly a year ago thinking to myself  '2012 is going to be my year.'  I hit a turning point in my life where I was done wasting time feeling unhappy with how things were going.  I wanted a job I would love and appreciate, I wanted to travel more, I wanted to have some control over my life but still feel weightless and free.

It was this same time one year ago that I decided to let go of all the things that were binding me.  I spent most of December doing some self-reflecting.  I wanted to have more yes in my life.  To do more things.  See more things.  Meet more people.  Be more proud.  Hate less.  Forgive more.  Love Always.  

I started fresh in 2012.  Single and ready to take on anything.  It was January when I made a promise to myself that I would visit Los Angeles by myself, so without hesitation, I booked the trip for April.  This would be the year for less contemplating and more doing.


So I decided to do a year in review via Instagram photos.  Here's a look at 2012:

I hope you all have an unforgettable 2013.  Best wishes to all!


xoxo,

Laura