Fourth of July Weekend

Five years ago today Eric got down on one knee and said, "I want you to be my wife." I said, "Thank you." We laughed through tears later that he never really asked me to marry him. This coming weekend holds so many fond memories from our engagement and wedding weekend. 

Hours before he got down on one knee, we took a walk down U street so E. could get an ice cream cone. I was relaxed, admiring a spider spinning a web outside of the Nook and oblivious that he was about to propose. E. was so nervous the whole night and couldn't stop asking me, "What's up?" 

That night we ran into our dear friends and neighbors, Bret and Doug, who invited us up for a glass of wine. Actually I invited myself in and said I was dying to show Eric their roof deck and gorgeous home. You have to read Doug's blog on their home renovations and funny stories. E. whispered to Brett not to over serve me as he was going to propose later that evening. Eric's memory of this is adorable and said that Brett got very excited and may have jumped up on his toes. I was in the china cabinet with Doug telling him I thought E. was acting weird. We then proceeded upstairs on the deck for one glass of wine. In my ten years living across the street I had never, ever had just ONE glass of wine with Brett and Doug. I knew something was up!

He proposed on July 1, 2006. A few days later we went to a 4th cookout at our friend's Kristen and Tom's house. McCall arrived and didn't notice my new piece of jewelry. She was talking about what she brought to the cookout and I couldn't take the suspense any longer. I squealed, "I brought the ICE" showing her my left hand. To this day we still say, "I'll bring the ice."

It's fun to think we have been dating for six years and married for four. We will celebrate our fourth anniversary this coming Thursday, July 7 on the beaches of New Jersey. 

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We spent our honeymoon at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. It was the most wonderful trip after our busy wedding weekend in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We are missing so many of our photos due to computer issues. Just know the water at Mackinac Island is as blue at the Caribbean and the resort is a dream. We stayed in the most beautiful suite that had a piano in the foyer! We had to dress for dinner and enjoyed weather in the low 70s. The 660 foot long porch is the most famous part of the Grand Hotel and is the longest in the world.

R.D. Musser III was a member of The George Town Club when I was the Director of Catering. I checked availability at the hotel shortly after we were engaged. Not only did they hold a room for us, but they upgraded us to the Woodfill suite, where Dan's great uncle lived during the depression.  The entire staff and family treated us like royalty. We were told to jump the line, which was 20 deep one night, and sit at the owners table each day for breakfast and dinner. There was a white phone at the table and I'm convinced it was connected to the White House. We played tennis on clay courts every day, were treated to a carriage ride, walked the gardens and even found a labyrinth. I will never forget the experience and cried when we walked down the long hill back into town to catch our ferry.

Wishing you and yours the most wonderful, relaxing 4th of July weekend filled with happy memories. Thanks to all of the military currently and previously serving at home and beyond for our freedom. 

Charlie, I look forward to spending as much time with you this week as we did on our honeymoon. It's been way too long. Happy engagement Anniversary.