Love is Beautiful

You heard me correct & yes, you are on the right blog. Love is beautiful.

This past weekend I was privileged to play a part in my sister's love story and I had to share the details.

Katie is an amazing, gorgeous, loving person. She's had her love-life struggles but finally met her knight in shining armor, Mike...who happens to be one of my best friends from high school.

There is somewhat of a theme to their love story. You see, Mike is 10 years younger than Katie...and if waiting that long to find the man of your dreams isn't the perfect definition for patience, I don't know what is!

Now even though I take credit for introducing them, because technically I did, their chemistry sparked the very first time they met back in 2007. I don't think anyone besides the two of them can explain their feelings for each other but they knew it was true. I say that because NO ONE  knew they were dating, talking, flirting well, doing whatever they were doing. They kept it all VERY secret until us family & friends basically put a gun to their heads and told them to admit it. (Patience?) They celebrated their 3 year public anniversary this past week...you do the math.

They've weathered some major storms together but in the end, those two knuckleheads loved each other and made it through.

About a year ago is the first time Mike came to me talking about rings. We searched and planned but nothing seemed to work out just right...until I got news that the band who sings "their song" was coming to Sacramento to perform (The Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah). I knew at that moment exactly why it hadn't worked out in the past...the universe was giving us the perfect opportunity, we just had to be patient. So, Mike and I went to planning.

I'll skip to the good stuff...

Katie knew nothing except that they were celebrating the anniversary with this concert and she needed to pack an overnight bag.

He picked her up and took her to the best hotel downtown. Upon arrival she walked in to see long stem red roses, a potted daisy (her fave flower), rose petals on the bed, strawberries, chocolates, candles, cocktails made, the works! A black town car picked them up for dinner down the street at a delicious restaurant where more roses were waiting for her. Another car after dinner escorted them to the concert. Katie, Mike, and some close friends and family met them there to celebrate.

The concert was awesome. We sat in a comfy booth and enjoyed the music. As the singers left the stage, the ENCORE chants were loud and for their last performance, Hey There Delilah began. The lead singer, Tom Higgenson, stopped the music. He looked around and finally said, "So is there a Katie & Mike in the room?" At this point, Mike was shaking, Katie was oh so confused, and we were all jumping around screaming like crazy people cause we knew the amazingness that was about to occur. Tom looks at Mike and says, "So Mike, you gotta question to ask?" Mike dropped to one knee with the ring in his hand, Katie shook her head yes and kissed him so hard you thought she was going to knock him over. We all celebrated with champagne and Tom found us after the show to personally congratulate them.

It was perfect.



I felt so much love that night. I am so happy for my sister and future brother in law. I am so glad to see my sister happy and in love like she has always wished for.

After planning this entire thing with Mike and working to execute it perfectly, I was surprisingly reminded that love is beautiful. True, real love is beautiful. It's out there but you have to be patient to find the real deal. You can't jump into something or feel pressured. The right thing will happen at the right time. If you're lucky enough to have found love, hold on it to. Work as hard as possible to keep it. And cherish it. Some people will never have the blessing to feel that.

Congratulations Mike & Katie. I love you both.

Special thanks to Tom & all the Plain White T's for making this so memorable. And to Ace of Spades for all your special help organizing this amazing proposal.

And special thanks to Mike for asking me to help on this very special day. It will be in my heart forever.

"Jumpers"

Jump·er: 

n 

1. An individual recently out of a relationship or non-platonic commitment who rebounds to another relationship with little or no time in between.

Yep...I just did that. I need to add that definition to Urban Dictionary pronto before anyone else gets a hold of it.

Let me first say that I hope I don't offend anyone by this post...but if I do...it's my opinion and my opinion is that you're nuts. Second, if you know me & all of a sudden you feel like I'm talking about you, you should already have heard this from me in person. Whether you decided to listen to me or not is your choice and I will love you & support you no matter what. Unless you're not my friend and then you can refer to my first statement....nuts.  

Now that's out of the way, let me explain. You ever have that friend...girl or guy...who just can't stay single? They literally jump from one relationship to another? Everyone has at least one & I wish I could scream it from the top of the Empire State Building - I DON'T GET YOU!

Unless it's that, "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence world series kinda love" why do it? Don't you remember how bad it just hurt to get out of that other relationship? You were someone's partner, their other half...how you can rearrange your life all over again to fit a new person's?

Maybe you think it's easier with someone else. Maybe you're afraid to be alone. Maybe you don't even know you're a serial dater.

Please know I'm not judging you. I truly don't understand. After I broke up with my last very serious relationship I was devastated. I loved him but it wasn't right. I couldn't imagine jumping into another relationship.

What I did learn after the break up is how much I LOVE the freedom of being single! I could seriously go on and on about all my favorite things but that's annoying.

What I really want to know is how you feel about jumpers and if you've ever jumped? Was it the right choice? Did you regret not having enough single time or was it the best relationship of your life? Maybe I'm the one with the issue and I should take the stick out of my....sorry mom....

Moral of the story: We are stronger than we think. You can be independent without being lonely. I promise. Take a little bit of extra time in between those relationships. Try and find happiness within yourself before looking for someone else to make you happy. Know your self-worth and love yourself. If anything, I think you will be able to make your future partner happier if you do. If they really like you, they can slow the hell down. If they're impatient, well, do you really want an impatient boyfriend anyway??