Saturday, April 24, 2010

6 years ago...

...I married this wonderful man.  I was in love with him, so the decision was easy.  I knew that he would be good to me.  And he has been good for me, as well.

In the spirit of my friend, Amy and my sister, Emily, I thought I'd share a few things about our engagement:
  • Mark and I were set up by my friend, Heidi, and his sister-in-law, Darin.  He was a widower and I was divorced.
  • I had 2 kids, he had one.
  • This picture was taken a month and a half after we started dating.  We went to Pinetop with his in-laws for Thanksgiving.
  • We joked about this being our engagement photo.  We were not engaged.
  • In January he asked me to dinner on a Tuesday night, and suggested I get dressed up.
  • Even though I knew he had already talked to my dad, I had no idea he would propose that night. Mainly because I knew he did not want to propose without a ring.  And I knew he had a ring connection in San Francisco.  And I knew he had not been to San Francisco yet.
  • I wore my nice(?) tan pants with a white and blue floral blouse.  Looking back, I wish would have done my hair a lot better, and probably worn a skirt and heels.
  • Even when he picked me up in his friend's black convertible Porsche, I had no clue.
  • He took me to a very nice restaurant at the Biltmore Resort.
  • At dinner he was acting a little nervous.  I kept asking him if something was wrong.  He dismissed it as nothing.  Still no clue.
  • After dinner, he excused himself to go to the mens' room.  I followed him to the ladies' room.  
  • Instead of the mens' room, {unbeknownst to me} he ran out to the Porsche (whose top was still down) to get the ring:  The ring he had purchased in San Francisco earlier that month. He flew there on a day he knew we would not see each other - a long work day for him, and a clogging class that night for me.  I talked to him several times that day - while he was at the airport, etc.  Like I said, No clue.
  • We walked around the beautiful Biltmore and sat down by a reflecting pool.  We talked about our lives, our courtship.  Then he got down on one knee and pulled out a gorgeous ring.  I was stunned.  Totally thrilled and surprised! I really couldn't believe it.
  • He also gave me some chocolates he bought for me in SF.  And told me he really wanted to share the sourdough bread he brought back too, but it was long gone by now and would have given away the whole surprise.
  • We both love sourdough bread.
  • I loved the surprise and I loved my new ring!  And I definitely loved him.
We were married 3 months later.  It was a perfect day at the Mesa temple.
And seriously, the perfect honeymoon. This picture was taken at Notre Dame in Paris.
Happy Anniversary, babe!  Don't be mad about all the info of our lives spilled all over the internet.  Admit it, you love it!

18 comments:

Melanie said...

Congrats I love it you guys make the cutiest couple and you meshed your 2 families into one perfectly. Happy anniversary

AliceK[i]ND said...

Mark TOTALLY loves it. :) And we love YOU Sarah! So happy you married into our crazy family.

Nancy said...

you guys are so cute, I'm so glad you found each other. I just shared your story yesterday with a friend whose sister is going through a divorce, you give people hope!

abby said...

happy anniversary! this was so fun to read. i love you both!

Emily said...

Happy anniversary! It makes me very happy that Mark makes you so happy. You both deserve it.

Scrappycook said...

Your story gives me hope that there is a beautiful life to be found after divorce. Congratulations on your beautiful family!

Hilary said...

Awwww . . . we need to get together and do something fun. Like go to Paris. Or New York. Or even the Biltmore. Or maybe P.F. Changs? In 'n' Out? Cold Stone?

amyegodfrey said...

What a lovely, lovely tribute to Mark, and to the two of you. We love you both so much and are filled with gratitude that you are together.

elizabeth said...

I am SO glad you married Mark! You two are great for each other and I love having you in our family (even if it is in a hard to explain kind of way!) :)

Muche said...

Joyeux anniversaire de mariage a vous deux ;))) Tres belle histoire!

Sarah said...

merci.

Emz said...

SO happy you guys are so happy. You SOOOO deserve it. HAPPY - HAPPY - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

okay loving that my word verification is: nesting. [after all the bird posts. ;) ]

Stepi said...

Happy Aniversary to you! I love hearing parts of your story! You deserve all the happiness you get!

erin said...

Congrats on your wonderful life together (and your wonderful family)!

pam said...

Happy Anniversary Sarah and Mark. You two are a great couple and you have a great family. Glad we get to see you every now and then.

JenJ said...

GREAT story!! So fun to hear it all and I am so so happy for you both. Congratulations!!

Aimee's Family Journal said...

Your story makes me so happy. and it is one that I have been able to share with others who feel like all is lost, or that they could never find happiness again. Just a tribute to the fact that if you have faith, the perfect fit is out there. You gusy are inspiring, and so beautiful together!

Jennifer said...

I love this post. It's so fun to learn details like that. What a sweet couple you are--and you look like brother and sister, so we know it was meant to be. I just love everything about your story. Congratulations!