The Engagement Part I. (Introducing Brandon continued.)

I have never been known to be patient. I know it's one of my greatest faults, especially in motherhood. How many times have I shouted at my babies because they weren't fast enough, or been annoyed because I had to pick up something they've dropped? How often have I wished that they were old enough so that they could do things on their own and give me a break? A lot more than I care to admit. Particularly yelling at them. I really do cherish my kid's childhoods. I am constantly telling them to stay little as long as possible. PLUS, the longer they stay little, the more time I have to improve myself. Likely, they won't remember my shortcomings in their little years. But they'll hold me in contempt for the rest of their lives if I screw up too badly when they're teenagers.

So, given the fact that my impatience is insatiable (because I'm pretty sure I haven't outgrown it. For example, almost 2 years ago we bought a house because we needed one in a hurry. Now I want to move because the commute I make at least twice a week is driving me CRAZY, not to mention my husband who does it 5 or 6 times a week- but that's for another post.) it should be no surprise that I rushed our engagement. (Thank Heaven he really is the 'right' guy, huh?!)

First off, I wanted to be married in the Autumn. It's my favorite season. I had planned this my entire life. We were cutting it close (for planning time) unless we wanted to wait a year. (And, just an FYI, I know a year long engagement is 'normal' in most cases- Mormon kids don't wait that long. We're virgins when we marry. And a year is too long to know what's coming without screwing up..or just screwing...but I'm trying to keep it family friendly here.) I wanted it the way I wanted it. No such luck in almost every sense of the theory- but we're moving on. It was July when a group of my friends picked me up from work and took me to a bridal store that was going out of business.

Okay. First wedding mistake, and probably my BIGGEST regret. I did not buy the dress I wanted. The dress pictured here isn't EXACTLY what I wanted, but it's differences are minor. The dress I wanted was cream colored, and had a MUCH wider crimson (Not to be confused with bright red) sash instead of green, though I have since then seen it with an orange sash- and that's the one I would have gone for had I known about it.

BUT

I was dirt poor. My parents were willing to help me out, but they had 3 kids living at home (not including me) and the dress I wanted was $7000.00. (I think that was more than the TOTAL cost of our wedding.) Not to mention, I was getting married in the Temple, and I needed a WHITE dress if I were to wear it in there, not an OFF-WHITE dress.

I tried on a few of the dresses at the store but the pickings were slim. While I was trying on the last dress (originally $700.00, but marked down to $200.00- SCORE!) I sort of fell in love. I mean, it wasn't MY dress. You know, the one I wanted and the one that seemed made for me when I had tried it on a year earlier on a whim while shopping with a friend. However, this new dress was flattering to my curvy-ish figure, it was white, and it was simple enough that I could add my own touch of personality to it. (Like deep cherry red ska-kid Mary Janes for my wedding shoes!) My mom had told me on the phone not to buy a dress that night...but there was a girl who was waiting to try it on when I was through.

So I bought it.

In the mean time, all the boys were waiting for all of us girls at their apartment. Impatiently, I might add. So Brandon deserved what came next. I walked in, and said "I bought my dress tonight." I handed him a couple of tuxedo magazines and added "when are we getting married?"

Brandon went immediately pale. When he'd regained his poise, he said "I guess I'd better go talk to your dad, huh?"

(To be continued, of course!)