a year from today...

Today the sun is shining, the sky is blueberry-blue, the ocean is glimmering and in the distance the Gargano peninsula maintains its rocky, constant role as backdrop. It's another day in Barletta. Everything is normal. Except that in exactly one year and two hours, Manu will be my husband. 

Yes, adorable Manu with his surprises, genius ideas, hilarious English mistakes, zest for life, and unparalleled positivity. It's going to take all my strength to not completely bust from the anticipation.

Now, you have no idea how many people have asked me to reveal our engagement story. Friends, friends of friends, blog besties, roommates' friends of friends, and the list goes on. I haven't told you yet because it was so sweet, that I don't even think I'll be able to capture it in words. But here goes.

It was Christmas morning. I was in my new pajama set that Manu's mom gave me, coffee-spiking the hot chocolate that Brittany sent us. The silver bells were ringing on the iPod, our one ornament hung from an Ikea bonsai tree, and I was doing my best not to cry while opening my mom's gift package. I was doing so well! But then Manu simply got up, all nonchalant, and reached into our closet. He pulled out an orange box. He set it on the table, turned bright red, and said, "...just a little something...for our wedding..." His reaction was precious. I think it was the first time I ever saw him nervous.

And that was it. No kneeling down, no involved family members, no sunset, fireworks, or horse drawn carriages - just me and Manu in our pj's opening presents under the bonsai tree. But you know what?
I wouldn't have it any other way.

[summer, 2009]

I literally cannot wait to marry you Manu!