It started out with a kiss. How did it end up like this?

I should have seen it coming. He likes surprises.



(not posed... didn't even know anyone was watching)
Reflections on a Surprise:

August '07: Blind date... he's 6'6" and we both drive identical 4Runners

9/2007: Talk occasionally on phone... find out we both have type A+ Blood... significant right?

Oct '07: Hiking through soggy marsh in mountains... he accidentally punches me in the face

November 2007: Go to seafood restaurant and see pictures of sailboats... realize he knows A LOT about sail boats... find out he sails boats

12-07: Just friends... But still invites me to Hawaii for Family's Christmas Vacation



January Two-Thousand Eight: I try to prove a point without having statistical data to back it up... calls me on it... realize he doesn't avoid intellectual conflict for politeness' sake

2~2008: Still just friends... hasn't tried to pull any moves... wonder what that means?

March '08: Finally SQUEEZE out of him the accomplishments he's most humble about... these are BIG accomplishments

4/08: Still just friends, I decide he's "too in-to his hobbies" because he chooses sky-diving over hockey game with me... mentally dump him

May '08: Go to Alaska for fishing/camping trip... he makes his first move... holds my hand (when no one's looking)

Sixth Month of 2008: Watch him choose to eat raw carrots & broccoli for breakfast over the donut holes I chose... know he eats more than his share of Snack Ramen... Is he a healthy eater or not?

7-08: Is straight forward and tells me what he needs from me... to move closer to him so we can date... then asks what I need from him (and means it)

August 08: Lets me go with him on some business travels... get to hear him "talk business"... he's REALLY good at his job


Sept 2008: Says he's going to Alaska hunting... is really hiding under my bed waiting to surprise me

10~08: I move to Seattle... we're both surprised I finally make the move over there

November of '08: Gives me a rock... on top of a rock... I personally hear him drop the Mother M Bomb (M-A-R-R-Y) and know that word hasn't been mentioned before... even in passing



Raymond Lamont Follett, here's my closing line where I present my clever point, even after 17 months of continuous surprises... I'm surprisingly still surprised.

Comments

hennchix said…
CONGRATULATIONS CALI!! How awesome is that?!!
Samantha said…
WHAT?!!!!! HOLY COW. YAY! Congratulations Cali! (I almost wrote "I can't even believe it!" but I definitely CAN believe it!) I am so so so happy for you. And not even a mention of the 'M' word beforehand. That's nuts! YAY!
Congratulations!! How exciting! With your mom's mention of this boy, I have been wondering if we would get a post like this!!
Anonymous said…
That's awesome Cali! He seems absolutely perfect for you and your family.
melanie said…
I'm so happy for you Cali!! Ray too but I haven't met him yet. I was smiling the whole way through your timeline. I love when 'he finally made a move'. And it makes me smile that even though you don'tl ike them....you're going to keep getting surprises. Fun!
EmilyG said…
Megan and I were taking a look at this, and would just like to point out the role Brenda and I played in setting you two up. We're so proud. :)
Gwen said…
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you...I think I might even cry!...happy tears of course :)
Anita said…
Congratulations Cali!!! We knew if he was smart he'd scoop you right up! And after putting up with 35+ women at the retreat, we decided he was a keeper!!! Way to go!

Anita
http://stampinwithanita.com/
Anonymous said…
Congrats to the 2 of you. Blind dates are great, that's how I met my husband too!
Conrats that is way to cool, and I am sure it exceeded anything you could imagine!!!!
"It starts with a kiss" Is one of our family sayings
lanita said…
I hope you know who I am--in addition to being Shelly's daughter and Michelle's sister (does that help?) I'm one of your biggest blog fans! Serisouly, your blog is one of my favorites. (Is this creeping you out? I hope not.) And....CONGRATULATIONS!!! I, too, have been waiting/hoping for this post. What a great story!!! I am absolutely thrilled.
Darla said…
Cali,

I'm so happy for you...You two so belong together... I agree with Anita... He passed the retreat interigation ..... Congratulations!!!
Unknown said…
November 2007 - Risks certain embarrassment by whisking Cali away from an all-female scrapbook retreat. Cali returns "home" very late that night.

November 2008 - Throws caution to the wind, and shows his face at the all-female scrapbook retreat, even opening himself up to some questions.

No surprises here, Cali. You've snagged yourself one heck of a guy.

Congratulations!!
laska said…
Congratulations Cali! I saw both of you at singles ward a couple of Sunday's ago and wanted to say something...I'm so happy for the both of you!!
Marie said…
How wonderful!

I'm one of your mothers many online admirers and she linked this post on her blog.

Congratulations! I loved the chronology of your courtship.
michelle said…
Cali, I hopped over from your mom's blog. Congratulations! Reading your timeline was highly entertaining.
Barb said…
Congratulations on your engagement!
Julie said…
Cali, I love your descriptions and I love that you are so happy! Congratulations!
Ande said…
This was my favorite blog you have ever written, I loved how clever it was (but that's because you're a clever girl) I love you and I'm so happy for you.
Donna Chapin said…
Congratulations Cali!! Just a friend - famous last words, but it is really nice that it started that way.
abe said…
congratulations cali. i'm glad you found a great guy who will take me to alaska with him. i love you.
Lyle and Mary: said…
He must be quite the guy to snag Calli Payne. Congratulations, we are so happy for both of you!!!
(Wish I lived closer to help your mom with reception stress)
Cassidy said…
you have a blog???? How sad is it that I didn't know? Oh man. I'm pathetic. Congratulations!!! I'm so excited for you!!
Laurie Bingham said…
Clever as always! I am really really hoping to make it up there so I can meet him in person! If you have time, email me some details.

P.S. Have you told Enos yet? Let him down gently
Ande said…
Cali...please start blogging again. I miss your blogs.
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