Saying goodbye. again.

“Distance never separates two hearts that really care, for our memories span the miles and in seconds we are there. But whenever I start feeling sad 'cause I miss you I remind myself how lucky I am to have someone so special to miss.” ~Unknown

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing. Ronnie and I have learned this lesson a dozen times over. But despite it all we have a peace knowing that we are in the center of God's will and there is no safer place to be.

This trip was filled with special moments and memories starting with the evening we got engaged and ending with a trip to the zoo with the girls but there was SO much in between that I cant even begin to express. God is leading us and we will follow him unapologetically... no matter where we are, apart or together.

Call to be Wild [and Crazy]

The ZOO! Who doesnt love pretending to be 7 years old again and experiencing the excitement of God's creation?! Ronnie, Shelby, Cori and I took a little trip to the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens a few days ago. We packed up a picnic lunch to eat before going into the zoo, too. In the zoo, we got to do everything from pet sharks and watch a dolphin show to scare Cori in the snake exhibit! Oh, the fun there is to be had where the wild things are.

A Little Old with a Little New

Ronnie and I traveled to meet up with his family in Branson, Missouri before visiting Oklahoma for a few days. We spent the day in Silver Dollar City, which is an amazing family amusement part with an early American theme. It's the best of both worlds: a little old with a little new. Plus, you cant beat a good roller coaster!

...and of course I said yes...

Since everyone has been asking, we decided to go ahead and get this out here. This is our engagement story...

Ronnie got into Indy from Germany on Saturday afternoon. After catching up with my family, Ronnie and I headed out to our favorite little restaurant down town; St. Elmo's. It's an old place with a really cool atmosphere. We requested to have a family friend as our server. We ate our steak dinner and chatted about how long we had been dating. Ronnie at one point asked, "What do you like about me?" My first thought was how spontaneous he is! After dinner (and an amazing chocolate cake for dessert), Ronnie and I drove to where the White river meets the canal. It was just starting to get dark and the clouds from the afternoon rain maid everything misty and cool. Everything looked so green. We walked to a little gazibo and looked down at the river and watched the ducks and turtles down in the water. Ronnie began to talk again about how long we have been together and about his upcoming deployment. He told me he loved me and recounted how God brought us together. He asked if I really did like how spontaneous he was. "Of course I love that!" I assured him. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee with a ring somehow pulled out of nowhere. I don't remember exactly what I said. I may have audibly gasped or something, but all I remember is giving him a hug, saying yes, and [as much as I hate to admit it] crying. After taking it all in for a few minutes, we walked to the start of the canal and the gardens around it. We talked about how symbolic it really was that we were at the start of the canal as we began the start of a new chapter in our lives. We walked and chatted for a while before sitting down on a bench to call our families. It was the best night ever. I could not have asked for a more perfect engagement or fiance.

APARTMENT!

The past couple days have been quite representative of the new season I am beginning to find myself in. I have started registering for my fall IUPUI classes, put in about a dozen job applications, set us shadowing opportunities, and been apartment hunting.

My best friend Alyssa and I went apartment shopping today. We looked at several different places after comparing prices and pictures online. One place stole our heart. We placed our application and security deposit at Keeneland Crest this afternoon and reserved our apartment on Cabin Creek Drive. We are both so excited to be starting this new phase in life and cant wait to move in and begin buying furniture for our little place. :)

PS~ Ronnie comes in 3 days!!

Lacking in Wisdom [Teeth]

Yup, they are gone... and I have the chipmunk cheeks to prove it. I must say, I am enjoying the pudding, jello, ice cream, and soup... but I still think I would rather have had those delicious looking burgers dad made for dinner. Well, gotta go find another ice pack.

Gone Country

This years end of the year ResLife Party was themed. The theme? Weddings Murder Mystery. It was our job to dress us as a stereotypical part of the wedding audience. Our role? The Hill Billy Relatives. We were down-right disgusting. From dirt on our face and teased up hair to polar pops and potato chips in our hands. Kelly was so proud of us. Enjoy some laughs courtesy of Kem Hall Staff!!!