Our First Date 2006

Kevin at Michael's Bistro in Cville (2006)

Happy anniversary! I know we're married now, so the old dating anniversary should no longer count, but I think it should this year, since otherwise there is no anniversary this year.

These pictures show how we looked in summer of 2006 when we met. I got a bit overdressed to get coffee at Mudhouse and Sarah, my unfailingly kind law school friend, drove me there. That's why when Kevin and I got married, I had Sarah give me the ring. Without her, how could it have happened?

Ericka at Busch Gardens (2006)

It was Sunday, so Kevin was sitting outside reading the New York Times. The first thing I noticed about him was his bushy hair and that he was cute. Being overdressed payed off perhaps because Kevin got me a cappuccino while he sipped a green tea. While he tried to impress me with his two-book contract and personal Dave Barry connection (I love Dave Barry), I somehow managed not to frighten him off with my denial of the existence happiness.

Maybe he thought some ice cream would make me happier? After Mudhouse, he suggested we walk over to Chaps for dessert. I was charmed. He drove me home to Ivy Gardens and asked if I'd be interested in another date. I said, "definitely."

Our Wedding Ceremony 2009!

The best decision in my life was also the easiest one.  When our officiant Brady asked if I would take Kevin as my husband, I said, "definitely."

My beautiful mother did my makeup

The groom and groomsmen heading to the ceremony

The ceremony musicians

My dad walking me down the aisle

The outdoor ceremony officiated by our friend Brady

Married!

Our parents

The wedding party

Forever isn't long enough

On to the Cocktail Hour

Our Engagement 2007

The day before Thanksgiving, Kevin proposed on the steps of the New York Public Library. He wanted to propose before the holidays; we were spending Thanksgiving with my parents and Christmas with his mother's large family. It wasn't our first holiday together, as we had already spent Thanksgiving together in Charlottesville in 2006 with his mother, brother, and cousin Katie. But it was our first holiday together since wedding magazines had suspiciously appeared in our apartment.

Proposing!

Kevin texting his friend Briggs right before proposing.

He proposed in New York, where we plan to live when I graduate law school because I have a job waiting there. Presumably, he chose a library because as the wife of a writer and writing professor, our home will be one? He made his high school friend Jon jump out and take pictures as it was all happening. Clearly, Kevin gets me.

I said "Definitely!"

This is the only time I have seen the planet spin while sober. It is really something.

Celebrating.

I am happy.

Super happy.



NYPL picture.



Popping some champagne!


Cheers!

We stayed overnight in New York and checked out just in time to miss the Macy's Day Parade. Ha! Actually, I think I saw one float. That totally counts right?

Macy's Day Parade (sort of)


Thanksgiving dinner with my parents the next day - very happy!
(More in next post on Thanksgiving.)

Our First Date 2006

On our first date, Kevin and I met at Mudhouse Coffee in downtown Charlottesville. I was 27 and working at legal aid during the summer between my 1L and 2L year. He was 26 and teaching writing at Bridgewater College.

I dressed up to go to the Downtown Mall. I was wearing a black fitted shirt and white jean skirt and white sandals with little heels. Sarah and Donald dropped me off Downtown. Kevin was sitting outside reading the New York Times. Apparently, he does this every Sunday. The first thing I noticed about him was his bushy hair and that he was cute. In that order.

Kevin got me a cappuccino while he sipped a green tea. He tried to impress me with his two-book contract and personal Dave Barry connection (I love Dave Barry). He seemed really funny and smart. I probably shouldn't have told him that I don't believe in happiness.

Mudhouse in 2006- even from the angle at which I approached.

Maybe he thought some ice cream would make me reconsider happiness? After Mudhouse, he suggested we walk over to Chaps for dessert. I was charmed. He drove me home to Ivy Gardens and asked if I'd be interested in another date. I said, "definitely."

 *Spoiler alert: I wrote this post after our engagement.