Im still trying to let it all sink in, replaying it like a movie over and over in my mind. I keep asking myself "how amazingly lucky can just one chick be?" Some of you were there, so you know the story, so mostly im typing this blog to ensure i never forget one single detail of the best week of my life.
Tuesday evening:
I picked my Mom and Popo up at the airport, I hadn't seen them for more than a couple hours since Christmas. Way. Too. Long. So we decided to head back to Jason and I's awesome new pad, since they had only seen it on Skype. I give them the grand tour, which takes all of 2 minutes, :) in which they proceeded to "Ohhhh and Ahhhhh." Finally, a place where they could spread out a little and not be laid out, 7 dwarfs style in the living room.
I picked my Mom and Popo up at the airport, I hadn't seen them for more than a couple hours since Christmas. Way. Too. Long. So we decided to head back to Jason and I's awesome new pad, since they had only seen it on Skype. I give them the grand tour, which takes all of 2 minutes, :) in which they proceeded to "Ohhhh and Ahhhhh." Finally, a place where they could spread out a little and not be laid out, 7 dwarfs style in the living room.
We later met Jas for some BBQ, in which Popo was excited that he could read the menu and "knew what the hell was on it."
Wednesday and Thursday:
Popo is a trooper, so patient, as mom and i proceed to find every bargain at every antique shop in the big city of Nashville.
Popo is a trooper, so patient, as mom and i proceed to find every bargain at every antique shop in the big city of Nashville.
Friday:
Here's where it gets good….
Here's where it gets good….
So im jumping in the shower friday am, when Im interrupted by a knock at the door. I open it and my heart drops to the floor, I am staring at my little sister, eyes wide, big smile. "SURPRISE!" I believe my words exact words were "what the f***?!?!!" Her and Matt, her boyfriend, and their sweet pup, Cash, drove through the night to surprise me!! BEST. SURPRISE. EVER! There was lots of hugging, jumping up and down old school Ray girls style, and crying. :)
Oh but it doesn't stop there. After a few bowls (each) of fried catfish and chicken from Monells we hang out and just catch up at the house, drinking beer, and watching the dogs play….Heavenly.
Saturday:
My first time playing CMA fest. Big day, as the band and I debuted brand new music from the new record. An amazing crowd, all my friends, family, a kick ass band, all resulted in one of my favorite shows to date.
My first time playing CMA fest. Big day, as the band and I debuted brand new music from the new record. An amazing crowd, all my friends, family, a kick ass band, all resulted in one of my favorite shows to date.
Sunday:
My family and I planned to spend the afternoon at Arrington Vineyard, something we do every time they come to town. The vineyard has become quite a hot spot for our family as it holds many special memories for us, including Jason and I's very first date, almost 4 years ago. The best date ever, in which I was certain he could never top himself. Oh but did he ever!
So we arrive at the vineyard at noon. Mom suggests we go grab the "special spot" with the best view, and where Jas and I had our first date, on top the hill before anyone else can claim it. Looking back now, there wasn't a soul in sight to beat us to the spot. Now, Im so glad that I was oblivious to my surroundings. Anyway, I concur with staking out our spot. As we're walking up, I jokingly ask Popo if he's doing alright because Im so out of breath. As we're topping the hill Jason, walking a little bit ahead of us with Matt and my sister, cries out "Babe, look its the red fox" (ive been dying to see the fox since we first learned that our favorite wine, Red Fox Red, from our first date was named after him/her). I immediately take off, trucking the rest of the way up the hill only to discover, the fox is gone. :( Bummed, Jas asks me to turn around and look at the view, then points back to the woods "where the fox was." As I spin back around to scour the woods again for the fox, disappointed yet again that I don't see him, i turn back around to Jason grabbing my hand with a small black box in his hand. He hits his knee and I immediately start bawling "Is this happening? Babe is this happening?" Between a smile and a lip quiver he asks me to marry him. I hit my knees with him partly Im sure because they're buckling and partly because I wanted to be down there with him. He said "No baby, stand up, stand up." I of course said "yes" because he's the best damn thing thats ever happened to me, my best friend, and the love of my life!
Our amazing and talented friend, Becky Fluke, is a photographer, I see her peek out from behind the closest tree shooting photos! "This is real," I cry! At this moment I realize there was never a fox, only a white lie to detour me from where she was hiding.
As we proceed to hug and cry, I see one of my best friends, Malia hauling ass up the steep hill, in which the "ugly crying" begins. As I look around, I see my little sister standing on top the picnic table happy tears streaming down her face, Mom hugs us, happy tears streaming down her face. Popo is there, just taking it all in, if he was crying he'd never let us know. BEST. MOMENT. EVER!
Then, as if I wasn't completely surprised enough for the day, a group of 25-30 of our friends come around the tree clapping and yelling out their congrats. How did i ever get so lucky??? They set up wine, cheese, crackers, champagne, and covered dishes and we celebrate!! Jason, family, friends, THANK YOU for the best Sunday afternoon of my life! Jas, if youre reading this, I LOVE YOU!
Seriously, somebody tell me how i got so lucky???!!!
My family and I planned to spend the afternoon at Arrington Vineyard, something we do every time they come to town. The vineyard has become quite a hot spot for our family as it holds many special memories for us, including Jason and I's very first date, almost 4 years ago. The best date ever, in which I was certain he could never top himself. Oh but did he ever!
So we arrive at the vineyard at noon. Mom suggests we go grab the "special spot" with the best view, and where Jas and I had our first date, on top the hill before anyone else can claim it. Looking back now, there wasn't a soul in sight to beat us to the spot. Now, Im so glad that I was oblivious to my surroundings. Anyway, I concur with staking out our spot. As we're walking up, I jokingly ask Popo if he's doing alright because Im so out of breath. As we're topping the hill Jason, walking a little bit ahead of us with Matt and my sister, cries out "Babe, look its the red fox" (ive been dying to see the fox since we first learned that our favorite wine, Red Fox Red, from our first date was named after him/her). I immediately take off, trucking the rest of the way up the hill only to discover, the fox is gone. :( Bummed, Jas asks me to turn around and look at the view, then points back to the woods "where the fox was." As I spin back around to scour the woods again for the fox, disappointed yet again that I don't see him, i turn back around to Jason grabbing my hand with a small black box in his hand. He hits his knee and I immediately start bawling "Is this happening? Babe is this happening?" Between a smile and a lip quiver he asks me to marry him. I hit my knees with him partly Im sure because they're buckling and partly because I wanted to be down there with him. He said "No baby, stand up, stand up." I of course said "yes" because he's the best damn thing thats ever happened to me, my best friend, and the love of my life!
Our amazing and talented friend, Becky Fluke, is a photographer, I see her peek out from behind the closest tree shooting photos! "This is real," I cry! At this moment I realize there was never a fox, only a white lie to detour me from where she was hiding.
As we proceed to hug and cry, I see one of my best friends, Malia hauling ass up the steep hill, in which the "ugly crying" begins. As I look around, I see my little sister standing on top the picnic table happy tears streaming down her face, Mom hugs us, happy tears streaming down her face. Popo is there, just taking it all in, if he was crying he'd never let us know. BEST. MOMENT. EVER!
Then, as if I wasn't completely surprised enough for the day, a group of 25-30 of our friends come around the tree clapping and yelling out their congrats. How did i ever get so lucky??? They set up wine, cheese, crackers, champagne, and covered dishes and we celebrate!! Jason, family, friends, THANK YOU for the best Sunday afternoon of my life! Jas, if youre reading this, I LOVE YOU!
Seriously, somebody tell me how i got so lucky???!!!
You deserve it Ash! Yay!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you - this is exactly what you deserve, and I'm so glad your family was there to be a part of it. I love you and miss you and can't wait to see you soon! xoxo
ReplyDelete