It truly was the best of times in a Moogie's World -- or perhaps I should say a Mommy's world.
(I'm taking the opportunity to beat Shay to the punch by posting this as she is driving home, before she can get to her computer!)
Ronni and Tim and their friends Marlo, Jessica, Lauren, Bobby, and, of course, Nick, worked so very hard to make this weekend a joyful surprise and they pulled it off with flair and aplomb!
One night last month, Tim and Ronni and Nick were enjoying one another's company at one of their favorite watering holes (Shay was sick at home) when they hatched a plot for Tim to propose to Shay. After several phone calls to me for info and advice (and a few beers!), they decided that Tim would propose to her in New Orleans during the Tucks parade with all of us as witnesses.
The next day I shipped my Mama's engagement setting and wedding band to Boompie's apartment (just a little bit nervous about that! Thank you UPS!), and Ronni picked it up the evening the package arrived. They plotted to check out several jewelers to reconstruct the ring, bearing in mind that there was a very short time frame -- they were heading to New Orleans in a little over 3 weeks! Jessica and Lauren joined them. Jones and Sons was the first stop, and they were so impressed that they didn't go anyplace else and left the treasures there for an estimate and getting the work done. No worries! The jewelers were so quick and so skilled (and they did everything in-house) that Tim had the rings in hand a week later!
When Tim made "THE CALL" to Pepper, Pep told him that he could have her if he thought he could afford her, but that all sales are final and there will be no returns!
Tim and Ronni came up with a plan to keep Shay from snooping -- he and Shay would go to Will's Pizza Lazer Tag birthday party and Ronni would sneak over to their house and pick up the rings to hide at her house. Pictures were taken at each step along the way and Ronni put together an Engagement Scrapbook for Shay. It looks great -- and there are pages for Shay to fill in with pics from this weekend and the days ahead.
I planned a big shrimp boil for after the question was popped, inviting Tim's family and a few neighbors, including a banner for the front fence to share the news with the thousands of Mardi Gras revelers that wander down Perrier Street on parade days, and a celebratory cake decorated in the colors of the wedding -- orange and hot pink (I know, I know -- how did I know the colors in advance? Remember, this is Shay we're talking about -- she's planned this wedding for years and Ronni knows it all!)
Tim had a slight change of plans -- he decided to propose in our back courtyard instead of during the parade, so we all sweated it out while catching throws and Tucks toilet paper and Tucks toilet plungers. I've never seen Tim's leg jitter so much! Several calamities (including a trip to the emergency room and an over-extended nap) and a few hours later, and after talking softly to her so seriously that she thought he was breaking up with her, Tim got down on one knee (on her foot, I might add), asked her if she would marry him and she said yes amid the clicking of at least four cameras. And one digital recorder. Ronni and I cried, of course (I think Pepper teared up a little, too), and we prepared to party!
Tim's grandmother and aunt (other relations were ill or had just given birth on Thursday. Happy birthday, Max!), plus neighbors Bob and Marguerite, came over for a nice visit and champagne toast, and the celebration and wedding planning got down to some serious business.
I even found time to get Marlo and Jessica to Feet First so they could satisfy the "shoe monkey" on their backs -- three pairs apiece -- and pick up some bride-ish magazines. Thanks for the boost to the local economy, ladies!
Yesterday saw Sunni and Mike join us for four fabulous parades, Marguerite's red beans and rice, and more cake re-purposed for Mike's birthday. Unfortunately, Tim, Jessica, Lauren, and Bobby had to leave in the morning to be able to make early appointments at work and to liberate dogs, so we told folks that Tim bolted after proposing. Ha! This morning, Shay hit the phone lines early and we now have St. Andrew's Cathedral booked.
Get ready for April 24, 2010, 7:00 in the evening!
(I'm taking the opportunity to beat Shay to the punch by posting this as she is driving home, before she can get to her computer!)
Ronni and Tim and their friends Marlo, Jessica, Lauren, Bobby, and, of course, Nick, worked so very hard to make this weekend a joyful surprise and they pulled it off with flair and aplomb!
One night last month, Tim and Ronni and Nick were enjoying one another's company at one of their favorite watering holes (Shay was sick at home) when they hatched a plot for Tim to propose to Shay. After several phone calls to me for info and advice (and a few beers!), they decided that Tim would propose to her in New Orleans during the Tucks parade with all of us as witnesses.
The next day I shipped my Mama's engagement setting and wedding band to Boompie's apartment (just a little bit nervous about that! Thank you UPS!), and Ronni picked it up the evening the package arrived. They plotted to check out several jewelers to reconstruct the ring, bearing in mind that there was a very short time frame -- they were heading to New Orleans in a little over 3 weeks! Jessica and Lauren joined them. Jones and Sons was the first stop, and they were so impressed that they didn't go anyplace else and left the treasures there for an estimate and getting the work done. No worries! The jewelers were so quick and so skilled (and they did everything in-house) that Tim had the rings in hand a week later!
When Tim made "THE CALL" to Pepper, Pep told him that he could have her if he thought he could afford her, but that all sales are final and there will be no returns!
Tim and Ronni came up with a plan to keep Shay from snooping -- he and Shay would go to Will's Pizza Lazer Tag birthday party and Ronni would sneak over to their house and pick up the rings to hide at her house. Pictures were taken at each step along the way and Ronni put together an Engagement Scrapbook for Shay. It looks great -- and there are pages for Shay to fill in with pics from this weekend and the days ahead.
I planned a big shrimp boil for after the question was popped, inviting Tim's family and a few neighbors, including a banner for the front fence to share the news with the thousands of Mardi Gras revelers that wander down Perrier Street on parade days, and a celebratory cake decorated in the colors of the wedding -- orange and hot pink (I know, I know -- how did I know the colors in advance? Remember, this is Shay we're talking about -- she's planned this wedding for years and Ronni knows it all!)
Tim had a slight change of plans -- he decided to propose in our back courtyard instead of during the parade, so we all sweated it out while catching throws and Tucks toilet paper and Tucks toilet plungers. I've never seen Tim's leg jitter so much! Several calamities (including a trip to the emergency room and an over-extended nap) and a few hours later, and after talking softly to her so seriously that she thought he was breaking up with her, Tim got down on one knee (on her foot, I might add), asked her if she would marry him and she said yes amid the clicking of at least four cameras. And one digital recorder. Ronni and I cried, of course (I think Pepper teared up a little, too), and we prepared to party!
Tim's grandmother and aunt (other relations were ill or had just given birth on Thursday. Happy birthday, Max!), plus neighbors Bob and Marguerite, came over for a nice visit and champagne toast, and the celebration and wedding planning got down to some serious business.
I even found time to get Marlo and Jessica to Feet First so they could satisfy the "shoe monkey" on their backs -- three pairs apiece -- and pick up some bride-ish magazines. Thanks for the boost to the local economy, ladies!
Yesterday saw Sunni and Mike join us for four fabulous parades, Marguerite's red beans and rice, and more cake re-purposed for Mike's birthday. Unfortunately, Tim, Jessica, Lauren, and Bobby had to leave in the morning to be able to make early appointments at work and to liberate dogs, so we told folks that Tim bolted after proposing. Ha! This morning, Shay hit the phone lines early and we now have St. Andrew's Cathedral booked.
Get ready for April 24, 2010, 7:00 in the evening!
Thanks for the sweet comments about Maxx. I really wish we could have been there for Tim and Shay's moment but our little guy had other ideas for us. I loved reading your story. It sounds like it was a great moment! Can't wait for the wedding!
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