Surprise Engagement Party!!!! (edited twice)

BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!

BEST FRIENDS EVER!!!!!


WOW!!

SO the weekend started off to be an average weekend. Friday night I stayed in with Matt, cooked up some random stuff for dinner, didn't leave much because it was SO, sooo, so cold that night. The weekend had nothing super thrilling to speak about.

Saturday I dont even remember what we did during the day. I think Matt and I went on the hunt for a Wii fit (for me) and Zelda for him--we went to Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Game Stop-- Matt found his, it was fruitless for me. We also met with a photographer SMACK dab in the middle of the day on Saturday, 3 oclock. it was about 20 or so minutes away so we found ways to occupy our time on the way and at Penn Station and wandered around. When we finally sat down with the guy we ABSOLUTELY LOVED HIM! and...his pictures were GORGEOUS!! o they were so pretty, they weren't your standard pictures; they were artsy and full of color and creativity. We both loved them (and matt is a boy who could care less, HE LOVED THEM!). And the guy would have been so fun to work with! Then he even showed us this short film he puts together for those that want a videographer-- and it was AMAZING!!! Matt even got a little misty-eyed over these people on the video that we didnt even know. It was so, SO, soooo good!!! But they would break the bank if we went with them. We didnt know it going into the meeting because package pricing wasn't listed online. Actually, we were told he was reasonable. Really, we wouldn't have had the guy we met with even shooting our wedding-- it would be one of his 'lead photographers,' I guess I would expect them to be good. Mr. Guy We Met With would have cost $4800 to shoot our wedding (his lackey-- $2950). His video-- $2200. ugh. Why does it all have to be so expensive?? How are we supposed to find someone we like and click with... and feel comfortable. My mom says you get what you pay for..... what do consider when making this decision?

So anyway, we get home and talk about it for a while and actually both decide to go with this photographer. He was just too good! And, really, we can afford it... but we just would have to skimp other places (like less budget for my dress, wedding favors, wedding party gifts, etc) . That night the plan was to go over to J's house to play rock band and visit with some people who were going to come down and hang out and maybe go to the bars downtown for a bit. Actually, i was cold and I didnt even think i would be up late and be the DD that night. J said to come over around 8-- but thinking we;d be the only people there at 8 we dicked around and watched some of a stupid Vin Deasil movie on TV. It was cold and rainy that night too. Finally we got ready and K said to come over because she wasn't planning on staying long, she was the only one there, and she still isnt feeling well (she was sick last week and even took a day off). So we got in the car and went over.

J lives DT like I do and we drove around for like 10 minutes trying to find parking on the street. We drove and circled and drove some more, we called J and told him we were there but searching for a spot. The street was so full!! I was even a little frustrated at this point, but whatever. Jeff texts us to let us know when he should come down and let us in. We parked and got a little lost on which direction his apartment was... we called him again. When we got there Jeff was in the lobby... we knocked on the door because he disappeared quickly but he let us in.

So now instead of going straight up to his apartment to play rock band, he said that they decided to utilize thier lounge area and play pool. So not expecting anyone to be around we walk into some side hallways and into a dark room, where i expected to find a smaller room with a pool table. So we walk in, the lights turn on...

SURPRISE!!!!!

A room full of 35-40 people were there to throw us a surprise engagement party!!!! TONS of people were there!! Friends from Dayton, Cleveland, and even Phili came down for it. There were balloons, tons of food, and even a GIGANTIC cookie cake that said 'congratulations Matt and Donna.' There was lots of alcohol- coolers and a whole fridge full, blender drinks, SHOTS (yikes), and even presents for us!! It was UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I wouldn't believe how many people I love could all be in one room! Everyone showed up!! It was so awesome!!! AND WE WERE SO SURPRISED!!!!!!!

It was a moment i'll never forget. Ill never forget seeing the first people scream at Surprise at us, i;ll never forget all the pictures that were taken, ill never forget all the thought that went into it all. It was seriously one of the best memories i'll cherish for such a long, long, looong time. J and S were the major coordinators and I am touched beyond belief that they thought of doing this for us. It took a lot of work getting all those people together. It was a total surprise, too. Not to mention all the people it took to give us hints to throw us off on the idea. We had NO idea! Matt and I still cant stop talking about how that ACTUALLY happened! I have never felt so loved and blessed for all the wonderful friends God has given me in all my life. It was the best wedding gift anyone could have given us.

The weekend after that was nothing to compare to saturday night. In fact we spent all of Sunday literally walking around in awe of it all... (and eating the leftover cake:) ). That night we went to his parents 35th wedding anniversary party (it was sort of a surprise, too). Matt and I also bought Planet Earth on blue ray and watched it for part of the day. It was a nice day. The best part was we had Monday off. I love short weeks like that. Monday we spend doing laundry, running some errands, Matt got his hair cut, went to Bdubs, got some cards, and sent all of our Thank You notes out in the mail for today.

Still cant believe what happened on saturday night. I couldn't wait to blog about it today. It was unbelievable. I guess it's time to get back to reality and start some work...


** PS ill try to post pictures... i lost my camera on NYE so i was devastated not having it. But lots of pictures were taken and i know some are already posted on good 'ol facebook. Ill just wait and hope i get a lot more.

***P.P.S. We still havent made up our mind about the photographer yet... even though we both thought 'yes' on saturday... the reality of our check books makes it a giant pill to swallow. We shall keep bumbling around until perhaps another alternative comes up?

****P.P.P.S. Go we've been vacilating enough, we booked Bambino at lunch. He's too good, we will splurge once. I hope it wasnt a mistake!!
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