Our Google Search Story

Some of you may remember this Google ad from this year's Super Bowl. I recently found out that, because of its popularity, Google has developed a site to allow users to DIY a "search story." Naturally what else am I going to do on a Friday afternoon?

Basically, the site allows you to enter seven search terms and pick a track from their music library. The rest is all computer magic.

I chose the search terms I did--at least the middle five--because I've been thinking a lot lately about how much Jay and I have had to grow through. Multiple mental illnesses (and misdiagnoses) and long distances have put an enormous strain upon us. I've been so proud that we have kept fighting for us and for all the silliness that began with a Star Wars pick-up line.

The DIYing has Begun!

A running joke in my family is my inability to finish the crafts I start. The easiest way to see that is in the clothes I make--excellently done seams and construction, terrifying hems finished in the car on the way to an event. For obvious reasons, my mother wants to keep my DIY instincts relatively curbed during the wedding planning.

But it has begun! This weekend, Jay visited and we took a set of engagement photos along the Hocking River. Years of family photos with my Aunt Meg has taught me to trust the tripod and self-timer. I'm pretty pleased with what we got:
The cherry trees along the river are very special to Jay and me. In April, 2008, I fell into a very deep depression. Jay stayed with me for a weekend during that down spell, and after thirty-six hours of crying (on my part), he forced me out of my dorm. We went for a pathetic jog, then Jay took me to the cherry trees along the river. As awful as I felt then, it made me feel better to be outside, enjoying natural beauty with Jay.

It meant so much to us to take pictures under those same trees, two years later and truly happy:
Visit our Flickr account to see all of our photos.

Blue Arrows Around Athens

Friday was one of the most stressful days of my quarter. I was participating in a charity dinner and hosting a formal dance for my college. When I finally made it back to the apartment, I made sure that my roommate was still on for breakfast, then fell into bed.

My roommate woke me up Saturday morning and handed me a note. Inside was an Amelie-esque photo instructing me to go to the pay phone near BP. I looked up at my roommate and just said "So it's happening?" She got me up and hurried me out the door. Throughout that hour I was very calm about everything. Jay told me months ago that when it started I would know. I was so excited, but not at all nervous.

My roomie and her boyfriend dropped me off at the pay phone and I waited for Jay to call. Technology threatened Jay's plan at that point--apparently, I needed to deposit fifty cents for this to work. So Jay called my cell phone and told me to follow the blue arrows. Admittedly, it took me a little while to find the arrows. Once I did, I followed them down Court Street, along Washington to College Street where the arrows stopped at a sketch of the Great Seal of Ohio. The first time Jay visited me in Athens, we walked across it together. According to superstition, that meant that we would get married, but I wouldn't graduate in four years. So far, it seems that both facts are coming true.

Waiting for me on the Seal was an album Jay had made. Inside were his favorite photos of the two of us. The last photo was of the ring. As I looked up, Jay was walking down the steps and toward me. He knelt and asked, "Veux-tu m'epouser?"

Naturally, I answered, "Oui!"

At that point, my roommate and her boyfriend let out a cheer from the bushes across the street. We crossed to show off my ring. I gave my roomie a huge hug for all the help she gave Jay while he prepared this. Also, she lent me her cute winter coat--it photographs so much better than mine does! Jay told me that his Papa was hiding in a holly bush, taking pictures. We went back to my apartment and--what else--updated our relationship status on Facebook. So it would be, you know, real.

Jay had invited our parents to join us for "engagement lunch" at my favorite restaurant in Athens. I was so happy that they made the drive just for lunch. We spent over an hour chatting and enjoying each others' company. My mom gave me a huge box of wedding books and magazines (hooray!). And, true to form, the Lui Lui staff personalized our dessert.

Jay's here in Athens until Tuesday--until then, we're going to enjoy the engagement glow.

Embracing the Narcissism

I had been planning this foray into self promotion for some time now, but for some reason I felt that tonight was a good time to start this wedding blog. No, we haven't set a date. No, we're not actually engaged. But somebody let something slip earlier this evening, and the proposal seems more or less imminent.

I'm writing this blog primarily to keep my far-flung family and friends up to speed with the planning and stressing for this (currently hypothetical) wedding. But I also can't resist telling our story one more time.

Jay (that handsome guy on the left) and I met in high school when he transferred into my Speech and Drama class. He was turning 17 and I was 15. I'd just been dumped and it was, like, totally the end of my world, so I wasn't really looking for a new boyfriend. But he opened with a Star Wars pick-up line; I had no choice but to give him a chance.

Fast forward six years. Jay and I have had to grow up a lot during our time together. My life took me 200 miles away from Jay to attend my dream college. Jay's life is keeping him in our hometown for the foreseeable future. High school relationships are tough to maintain after graduation; long distance ones are even harder. Yet, somehow Jay and I have managed to grow up and grow closer all while living four hours apart. I guess it's because we're Corellians at heart: never tell us the odds!