Got Mail?

Mike and Jessica Kraus! That is what the envelope said. I was surprised to see my name with a new last name behind it but it came attached to a very nice gesture. Mike's adorable sister sent us an engagement card to congratulate us on our engagement. It is really nice to know that his family is happy and supportive of our decision to marry! I can't wait to be part of the family!!

Mr. and Mrs.

I must admit, when I first realized I was going to have to change my name it brought tears to my eyes. I've had my last name for a LONG time.

Now most women take their husbands last name and it doesn't really affect their life all that much. They may hear it once or twice a week..maybe, but in the case of a teacher it is a daily occurrence. I will be going from nice Miss Duncan to crotchety Mrs. Kraus. Will my students still love me?

So when I realized this I began to think I just wouldn't take his last name. Does it really matter in this day and age? It will save me a lot of hassle of having to change my driver's license, social security card, etc. right?

I brought this subject up to Mike several times over the course of a few days after we got engaged and always being the nice guy he is he didn't say much. He would say "Oh Gosh" and that was about it. So I thought it was a done deal. We would get married and I would keep my last name.

A couple of days later we were at a friend's house at a party with my many other teacher friends and I brought the subject up again. I asked their opinion and we joked about it. At that moment I looked over and saw the hurt in Mike's eyes. Always trying to keep the peace he really didn't tell me how he felt but I could tell he was hurt. It was then and there I realized I should be proud to take his last name because he loves me enough to marry me and share it with me. So now I am going to be Mrs. Kraus! I can't wait! I love you Mike! And your last name!!!

A Little Bling

I have to admit when I first got the ring I didn't know quite what to think of it. It has A LOT of diamonds (34 to be exact) and is very blingy! But after wearing it for a couple of days I have learned to love it! It is beautiful! I couldn't ask for a more gorgeous ring! Thanks Mike! I LOVE IT!

No Wedding Date Yet!

The engagement has happened and now the inevitable question has begun… When's the date? When are you guys getting married? Have you set a date yet? No matter how it is asked, it is always leading to the same thing… THE DATE! UGH!!

Mike and I have talked about the date a little. We know we don't want it to be until Dakota graduates from High School in June of 2011. Our first thought was 11/11/11 but then we decided if we wanted an outside wedding that probably wouldn't work in Utah so we have been toying with the idea of 9/10/11. It is not set in stone at this time and many other dates will probably be discussed before the actual one is set but we will keep everyone posted.

The Unexpected Proposal

December 28, 2009, a day I expected to be like any other day on a vacation. Mike and I had gotten up early and headed into New York City to do all the touristy stuff as usual. Mike had won the trip to New York and I was ecstatic to be able to see my favorite city all decked out for the holidays, a dream come true. Since we both had been to the city a couple of times we had no agenda. We knew we wanted to get our ever favorite double-decker bus tickets and take it from there. As soon as we obtained our tickets to my dismay Mike suggested the Empire State Building. I was confused and a little annoyed..."Why would we want to go there AGAIN?" I could tell Mike was disappointed so I agreed. That was until we got there and it was a 2 1/2 hour wait. I was not about to waste that much time standing in line, so we headed into the City to see the many other attractions. We had an amazing day. We went to Macy's to see the windows, a bus tour of holiday lights around the city and of course, the ever famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza. It was a perfect day.

As we got off the bus tour I was excited to be heading back to the hotel to get warm and get some sleep for our next day adventures but Mike said he thought we should go to the Empire State Building! "WHAT? Are you serious?" I was cold, tired and now pretty irritated, but I agreed. We arrived at the top of Empire State Building about 10:30 pm. The wind was blowing and I was grumpy. The thermometer read 17 degrees but the wind chill was about 10. After about 1 minute out in the bitter cold I asked if we could go. Mike told me to just chill for a minute. So I looked at the night lights for about 2 more seconds and turned to ask Mike if we could please go, Mike was standing there holding a beautiful diamond ring. At this point you would think I would be happy but all I could say was... "Oh hell you are going to do that right here?" Of course Mike being the very patient man he is didn't let it phase him and he asked me to marry him. I told him I would think about it. (Sometimes sarcasm really isn't appropriate) I told him yes! He put the ring on my finger and we went inside to get warm. At this point I was in shock!

For many days after I was in shock! This is something I had wanted for a while but truly never thought would happen. He had been telling me since the day we started dating that he was NEVER getting married again, and I believed him. Why wouldn't I? It had been 4 1/2 years we had been dating.

After the shock came the "What if's?" What if we can't afford a house? etc. etc. etc. At this point you would think Mike would have changed his mind and ran the other way but he didn't, he just calmly answered each 'what if' with a heartfelt answer that everything would be okay.

And now??? I am thrilled! Mike is everything I have ever wanted in a man. He treats me like a princess no matter how spoiled I may be acting. He maintains my high maintenance personality and he loves me with all his heart. I know that marriage will have its challenges but I believe with all my heart that Mike is the man I want to spend forever with. I love him so much and can't wait to marry him!!!

Popping The Question

It has taken me a long time before I really thought I was ready to really think about getting married again. I have known for a long time how much I truly love Jessica. She has won my heart. I started thinking that I would get the ring the end of November and ask her to marry me the night before her birthday after we left the Sushi For Santa event. Getting the ring was very difficult for me because I was not sure what style she would like. I went for the one that looked most like the ring she has worn since the day we met.
I went to the jewelers a few times to make sure it was the right one. I picked it up just before I picked Jessica up for our evening at the Energy Solutions Arena volunteering at the Sushi For Santa event. We had a great time. I really wanted to bid on one of the signed footballs for auction but didnt. By the end of the evening I hadn't really done too much as far as helping out. There was a raffle for a trip for two to New York to see the New York Giants football team play the Sunday after Christmas. I bought 2 tickets thinking that I at least made some kind of contribution. I won the trip. I knew I couldn't ask that night. I had to hide the ring for a couple weeks.
I told the guys at work that I was planning on asking Jessica to marry me at the football game. It would be original and something we would both remember. They told me I was crazy and that I needed to do it on top of the Empire State Building. They reminded me of the movie "An Affair To Remember". That is when I knew that was where I needed to pop the question.
Monday, December 28 we went into New York from New Jersey. I wanted to go to the Empire State Building first. We walked over to the Empire State Building and the line was outrageous. Jessica really didn't want to see it again, we had both been up to the top a couple times before. We did the tourest thing and had a great day. It was very cold.
I practically had to beg jessica to go to the top of the Empire State Building. She finally agreed. It was about 10:30 and it was very cold. Once at the top I made her walk outside to see the lights. It took me a few minutes to get up the nerve to finally ask Jessica to marry me. I was so nervous I almost dropped the ring off the observation deck. I started to get on one knee and pulled the ring out of my pocket and looked Jessica in the eyes and asked her if she would be my wife. I really think she was surprised.
Since I asked her to marry me I think we have become even closer than we were before. I know that this is meant to be. I love Jessica with all my heart and always will

Let The Journey Begin

We are writing this blog to let our family and friends know what we are doing to get ready for our wedding. This includes everything from our engagement to our wedding day. We will both be contributing our own thoughts and feelings.
We hope you get as much enjoyment out of this blog as we do writing it.