Today, I am delighted to introduce you to our newest Bride Blogger, Kerry McKinnon! Her sweet story and great ideas are sure to inspire you…
Hi! I’m so excited to share this amazing journey with other DC brides, and everyone else reading! The next ten months leading up to my wedding on 10/10/10 will no doubt be an adventure, much like this past year.
In a year’s time my fiancé Chris professed his love to me, we started dating, we got engaged, we moved in together, and have begun planning our wedding! That sounds like a whirlwind, but it does not feel that way to us. It really seems like everything is as it should be.
An interesting quirk to our relationship is the fact that my Chris is also my co-worker. Not just someone who works at the same company on another floor; he is literally across the room from me. So close that when one of us sneezes, the other sends the obligatory “bless you!” via instant message.
After dating for awhile as co-workers in a small office, I have come to enjoy the fact that we share so much. Our careers are very much intertwined – I am the managing editor at our nonprofit association and he is a graphic designer. Working on the same publications, we have had to strategize and work together to come up with solutions to problems that arise, just as we will have to do in our marriage. So in a way, our time spent as co-workers might help us prepare to be lifelong partners.
Not long after we started dating, Chris told me that he knew that I would be his wife one day. I agreed that I could picture him as my husband. We looked at rings online and went to a jewelry store to determine my ring size, and then for a few months, I heard nothing more about it. My queries were met with him changing the subject.
We made plans for the Fourth of July to go to my cousin’s cook-out and then watch the fireworks. I figured we would go with a group of people, but Chris suggested we pack a picnic and watch the fireworks just the two of us. That is when I started to get suspicious. He also asked very casually, “Do you know if grocery stores sell champagne?” and then I just knew that he was going to propose!
We parked in Rosslyn and carried our picnic items down the bike path past Roosevelt Island. The grassy areas on both sides of the path were seas of blankets with people everywhere, so Chris said we should keep walking until we could be away from the crowd.
I was thinking to myself, He wants to be alone so he can propose to me! just as the strap on my right sandal broke! I stumbled and picked up the sandal, and discovered that the strap was completely broken. There was no way I could walk in it. Begrudgingly I walked barefoot down the paved path until we finally found a less crowded stretch of grass. My feet were killing me and I was so upset that my favorite white strappy sandals were destroyed.
But then Chris laid out our blanket and asked me to sit down and just relax. The view from our spot was postcard-perfect-the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument were right across the river from us. The fireworks began and we sat there mystified, hand in hand.
The grand finale started with a rapid succession of fireworks, and Chris kissed me and told me to stand up. I thought he was going to try to take my picture, but he just held his hands in mine and started crying and spouting off all the reasons he loved me. (I wish I could remember exactly what he said, but I have no clue! I was too lost in the moment.)
He grabbed a little black box from his backpack. Amidst my tears and nervous laughter, he put the ring on my finger and asked me to be his wife. No one around us knew that we were having this monumental, life-changing moment, but all you could hear was shouting and clapping from everyone watching the fireworks. It felt like it was for us. For the amazing moment that we had shared.
I am so excited to join Kerry on her journey – you, too, can follow on District Weddings almost every other Tuesday!
Kerry! I love your story and am excited to read more about you and Chris. Congrats.
I absolutely love your story….just imagine how fun it will be to tell your children one day, my adorable grandchildren! I love reading your blog and am so happy you have opportunity to share this wonderful story of my son and his beautiful fiancee. Love you both very much.
kerry, this is a wonderful story. You sound like an amazing fiancée. Chris is so lucky to have you. Is that second picture you two dressed up as Dwight and Angela? Cute!
This is so much fun. What a trooper you are, Kerry, that you endured the walk barefoot. May the weeks ahead be smooth with the preprations for the wedding. Looking forward to hearing more each week.
Kerry, you’ve done a wonderful job telling your story — because I’ve watched this friendship develop into this amazing relationship. I thought the “Angela & Dwight” photo was really funny, because you are both so NOT like the Office characters. Looking forward to the rest of the story.
Aunt Sandy
Kerry, your story is a very special story,it shows the true love you have for each other.It brought tears to our eyes.Kerry since the day you were born, you have been a real joy to our lives.Now our wonderful daughter,is moving on to be with the love of her life.Your fiance,Chris,our future son-in-law, a great guy,who will soon be a member of our family. We love you guys!
Congradulation…Mom and Dad