August 28, 2009

it's not my story

But I am telling it anyways, so watch out... long post ahead. 

My best friend is finally getting married. It has been such an eventful week as I, and a number of other people, have been anticipating Thursday. My day out yesterday to shop and have girl bonding time was all just part of a ploy (I didn't really shop, though I pretended like I was going to, it just isn't in our budget). John, the fiance, is clever. Ellen, the other best friend, is clever. And I, in the most humble way possible, am clever. We are masters of deceit, but all for the greater good, I assure you. 

First, let me tell you about one of my best friends, her name is Linda. We met when we both worked at the GAP back in college, found out we were the same major at the same school, went to the same hairstylists, both shared the same faith in Christ, so you can say, we were like sisters just from different mothers. We travelled and studied abroad together and we never fought once. Okay, maybe we had mood swings cause of our monthly woman thing, but we never, ever fought. She knows my bad, good, ugly, messy, and all the nerdy crafty side of me.

There was only one way we were really different, okay maybe two, with the second being I nerd about crafting way more than she does. The first reason is that I am an extreme romantic (can you not tell?!!) and wanted to get married the day I learned what marriage was, which was when I was 5. Lin, on the other hand, well, she was a "woman hear me roar" kinda gal. So the fact that she was eagerly anticipating getting engaged and now planning a wedding, she has definitely come full circle. Believe or not, now she is even okay with changing her name. She swore she would never change it when she got married.

Okay, so I warned you this post was long (full of polaroids and digital pictures). Onto the story...

Yesterday, Linda thought that we were going to just hang out, eat, and shop. After which we were to pick up Ben from the train (he takes the train to work), so that we could stop by Hibbleton Gallery, which held the Instant Gratification: A Polaroid Party exhibit. I told her my polaroid pictures were there, and the good best friend that she is, was happy to tag along to see my stuff at the gallery. Then, we were all going to go to dinner. Of course, the nerdy-photography-lovin' blogger that I am had my polaroid camera and SLR with me, cause I have to take lots of pictures anywhere I go. 

First, I wanted to make sure my polaroid camera was working, so I made an excuse to take a silly girl picture. We wanted a jumping picture (yes, I was gonna jump high with my ginormous belly), but I guess we didn't count off at the same with Ben. This awkward photo is so cute and funny that I love it. She wanted to take another picture, but I knew that I had to save my polaroids for something much more important inside. 
our awkward cute picture
We invited one of our other friends to the gallery and dinner, who is Linda's other best friend, Ellen, who with me has been alongside John plotting and planning. Ellen, just happen to get off work early and was already waiting at the gallery for us. Once we saw Ellen, we all said, "Hi!" and chatted about how long its been since we have seen each other. 

We go inside the gallery and ooh and aah over all the polaroids and we start making our way on the left wall, looking for my pictures. I told them that the polaroid of True and the red balloon should be here, so that is what we were on the lookout for. 
the polaroid exhibitwe are sneaky!!!
(Ellen being sneaky as Lin is looking)

Now, Linda was acting like she was on a treasure hunt and was zooming through all the photos so quickly that she made us worry a little bit. We knew there was one particular photo she needed to see, but she kept passing it and we didn't want her to see John (in person) without seeing the photo first. Ellen and I kept saying anything to get her to look at that general area, but she was not paying attention. Ben had already stepped outside to supposedly make a phone call, but it was to signal John to get ready. Finally, Linda saw the picture...
the polaroidoh my gosh!she turned aroundshe turned around
Linda instantly freaks out in shock, happiness, and loads of excitement as John walks through the door. I am going as fast as I could switching between my SLR and polaroid camera, it was so crazy and so much excitement!
AHHH! YES!!!lots of screamingwill you marry me?oh my gosh!!!she said yes!oh my gosh!lots of joyan unforgettable polaroid momentshe was so happylove is in the air
yes!


She was in such shock that she needed a moment...
she needed a breather


I am sure they will never forget this place. 
hibbleton gallery
Afterwards, we all headed across the street to the grab some drinks (water for me) and finally unload all the secrets we have been keeping from her. This is also the same bar that John was waiting and watching for us through the window. Of course, I made them takes lots of pictures (and can see them here).
dip


Since I am pregnant, my best friend lets me have my cravings, so I said I was craving a good deli sandwich for dinner. Ellen, then just happily pronounced that her favorite place was just a few blocks away, so off we went to celebrate (and for Lin to get surprise #2)...
tears again!
Her one request, besides having John, was that she would be able to celebrate with her family and close friends. So at Roscoe's Deli, their families and closest friends were waiting to surprise Linda for the engagement party. Linda was so surprised again. She even started crying, again. 

I wasn't really craving it, but it was good. It was such a joyous time. Linda didn't even eat, which I guess is just a slight taste of what the wedding will be like, because what bride and groom eat at their own wedding anyways?!! We didn't.
love i heart them lots
The night ended and I am sure Linda is still on cloud nine. These moments are such gifts from God, we must never forget to always give glory first to the gift giver. All this is God's doing. God worked in John. God worked in Lin. God put them together and now God will be working in them together. Praise God!

Oh I can't wait to get this wedding planning on the road. Finally! I love doing wedding stuff!!! Plus, I highly recommend marriage, it is loads of fun!

Linda and John, we love you both so much! Congratulations!!!

p.s. On a completely different note, the shop is updated with cameos and some other goodies. Oh and don't forget the giveaway!!!

63 comments:

  1. Ok, I am totally like Linda and not at all a engagement/wedding person, but wow, that story made me tear up! What a great proposal! Creative and full of love... and what great friends she has that can help pull it all off! :)

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  2. that's my cousin!!!!!! thank youuu for being such a wonderful photographer! i showed everyone at my office the pictures, everyones going GAGA over their story, praise God!!!

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  3. You two are lucky to have each other! My best friend and I go back 40 years, to junior high.

    Your story is lovely, you should have it made into a storybook for her to treasure.

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  4. oh my!!!!this is THE cutest most creative engagement story ever!!!! what a great friend you are!!! good luck to them!!!
    xoxo
    adrienne K

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  5. I cried. again.
    You are the best liar ever.
    You are the best friend ever.
    I love you.
    I LOVE JOHN!

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  6. hold on a second while i wipe the tears from my cheeks!!

    BEst blog i've read in a while!

    That is so so so sweet, congrats to the both of them!

    {ona side note, my husband and i didnt eat at our wedding, we ended up getting chinese on our way to our room! haha}

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  7. That makes me cry and I am not even pregnant! What a wonderful moment to be part of. Well Done!

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  8. Wow, what a truly terrific story. They seem like a really great couple and I'm sure they'll be so happy together. Nice work in the orchestration!

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  9. OMG!!! I read that story like 10 times like I wasn't there to see it!!! I'm dying to see all the photos once I get home (since it's blocked here at work)

    Thanks my new best friend Ruby, it was SO MUCH FUN planning this with you.

    Time to start planning!!!

    =)

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  10. What a smart fiance! I was the same way w/o wanting to eat. My fiance proposed to me at a family 4th of July BBQ. We all gathered around to say a blessing, when he got down on his knee. I was rather hungry prior to the proposal but not so much afterward. The fiance later confessed to wanting to ask before dinner since his nerves stopped him from eating the entire day.

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  11. super cool story - very creative! thanks for sharing! you got good pictures too!

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  12. i'm actually crying right now....that was so touching! and what a cute way to ask her to marry him...i love it!!!

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  13. Okay, you made me cry too. You're the bestest friend ever. What a fabulous capture of such a special moment.

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  14. I am CRYING and I dont know you, your friend, the fiance, and have just starting reading your blog days ago!

    I love this ENTIRE idea!!!!!!! The pictures!!!!! The story! And the LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Thanks for sharing! And God bless this beautiful new couple.

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  15. That is so cool you were able to capture the moment on camera, what a cool thing. That's something I would do too. Who's idea was it in the first place? Very creative. Yes, she must definitely be on cloud nine! Congratulations!

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  16. My eyes misted up, this is such a lovely proposal! So thoughtful!

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  17. Lovely!! Your fiancee is adorable!!!
    And it is amazing that you had this moment photographed with your polaroid camera!!! :)

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


    Your blog is great! I will start to follow!

    the singular

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  18. OOps! Now I saw that it was your friend!!! :)

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  19. What a cool engagement and what an amazing friend you are to capture it all so beautifully! And marriage IS loads of fun...and it just keeps getting better and better!

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  20. Wow this is so beautiful I have a tear in my eye. What an amazingly planned proposal....so so sweet.
    x Liss

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  21. oh I LOVE a good engagement story and that one was AWESOME!!!!

    yeah for your friend!! and I agree, marriage is such a blessing and it's so amazing to see God bring two people together! May He receive ALL the glory in their marriage!

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  22. OMG!!! Too cute, I know you told me some details but seeing the pictures was even better! AWH, CONGRATS LINDA (does she have a blog?)!!!!
    I feel gross...yeah, totally missed unique but it's ok, next time. I wasn't even planning on going cuz it was on a sunday, but since we left at that time, i thought i could catch a little, but no I didn't! It's ok :) And Love the shop cameo's--very cute!

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  23. WoW! I guess, these fotos are the best wedding present you could find! Who else can see his face again in that special moment? :)

    Lovely! :)
    L.

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  24. positively adorable. definitely one of the best engagement stories I've heard yet and they are so lucky to have you to photodocument it so well!

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  25. LOOOOOOVE IT!!!! Add more OOOOOOOs to it!!! So clever!

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  26. what a lovely story! it's so nice to have step by step photos of the engagement... so cute!

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  27. What an incredibly cute story, and what a good friend you are! I love the pictures, they tell the story so wonderfully that I alsmost didn't have to read what you wrote!

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  28. You are a good secret keeper, I would have burst!

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  29. i jsut cried when i read that :)

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  30. That is awesome! It's so great of you to help plan such wonderful memories for your friend!

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  31. what an amazing way to ask girl for marriage! thanks for sharing :)

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  32. What a gorgeous story. I cried tears of happiness for them. When hubby proposed to me in front of family it was our engagement party. Shame everything else was recorded on video except THAT moment. Oh well.

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  33. what a wonderful story. Ruby you are good...

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  34. Oh Ruby, thank you for sharing such a beautiful story! This proposal is definitely a sweet and memorable one!

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  35. Oh that is so sweet! I absolutely love proposal stories (I'm a romantic too) and this was so clever. I don't think it would feel right if I didn't cry when proposed to!
    Very special wishes to your happy friends!!

    love,
    Cait

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  36. Oh that is so sweet! I absolutely love proposal stories (I'm a romantic too) and this was so clever. I don't think it would feel right if I didn't cry when proposed to!
    Very special wishes to your happy friends!!

    love,
    Cait

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  37. Congratulations to your friends. You really got some awesome pictures! I wish I had some of my engagement:)

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  38. Oh how sweet! I just came upon your blog and what a wonderful post to start with. Your pictures are so gorgeous and they definitely made me tear up! I'll be a regular reader from now on =).

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  39. So cute! Congratulations to the newly engaged!

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  40. Such a creative way to propose. Love it.

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  41. How fun that they will have their special engagement day forever captured on film! As a photographer...I love that!

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  42. never will they forget that day!!! you all made it so special for them. I love your photographs that capture the moment{s}... the pure bliss of love!

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  43. lovely.......can't say anything better..lovely!

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  44. I love it! Congrats to Linda! And have fun with the planning. I'm five weeks out from my sis-in-law's wedding and it's finally getting craaaazy.

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  45. Awesome engagement! I got a knot in my throat! Lol!

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  46. Super, super cute--read it with my husband, and I teared up. He has agreed to re-propose at some point when it will be a surprise, inspired by these two! I can hardly wait... Being married is so awesome--congrats to the newly engaged couple!

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  47. Hi Rubyellen...

    Found your blog from Jacqueline Pfeffer's blog:) you and your friends and the fiance are soclever indeed! what a sweet proposal! and the photos are sooo cute!

    cant help but to share this on my wedding blog:)
    we'll surely be back to visit, thanks!

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  48. What a beautiful, creative, perfect plan......

    Congratulations to Linda and John (I have never met them but I sure want them to have the best wedding/life together!)

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  49. That was SOOOO beautiful...it brought a smile to my face...which i needed today.

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  50. This is the cutest story ever!!!!! I love the photos you took!!! wonderful. One of my most loved treasures is a handmade book with photos that my best friend Caroline took at my wedding! It is an irreplaceable gift!!

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  51. WOW!!! This story is awesome!!! You guys are awesome!! Truly creative masterminds :) I love it! Linda is sooo lucky to have such cool friends!

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  52. Fantastic story!! It brought tears to my eyes.. what a creative proposal!~

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  53. SO FUN!!!!

    i am in that show too---- will you be at the bergamont station one?? it would be fun to meet!

    a friend sent me this link----- what a RAD IDEA! :)

    tell them i photograph weddings with polaroids--- for real! i'd love to shoot their wedds! :)

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  54. Great coverage of this cute story! my friend is a fullertonian blogger, you hsould check out her blog too:

    http://mermaid085.blogspot.com/

    yours is really cute, i stumbled upon it through smitten :]

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  55. that's amazing!
    thank you for sharing :)

    http://loloholmes.tumblr.com/

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  56. wow, is all i can say. that is seriously the coolest engagement idea i have heard of! thanks for sharing it with us.

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  57. awwww... i wanna be proposed to like that!

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