When I was 18 years old, a lifelong best friend of mine got married at the ripe-old-age of 21. A few weeks prior to her wedding, I asked her how she knew so young that her soon-to-be husband was THE one. Without skipping a beat, she gazed up at me and said, “Getting married should be the easiest decision you ever make.” Such wise words for a 21-year-old.
At 18 I could not comprehend that marrying someone could ever be an easy-breezy choice. I could barely choose matching socks. Fast forward eight years to a sunny Saturday in Central Park, with my entire family standing by, when a young man dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife, I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. In fact, I’ve been certain since the day fate brought us together on a kickball court in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In true Lady Katie fashion I immediately rushed home and to friend request him on Facebook. You know, in the desperate way they tell you not to do, oops. But I knew. I knew, sure as day that someday I would marry this man. Something told me in a way that’s impossible to describe through words and can only be compared to the scene in the movie ‘Hook’ with Robin Williams when the little lost boy grabs Robin’s (Peter Pan) face and says, “Oh there you are Peter!!!” There he was, after all the failed dating experiences of my life, my Peter had arrived. For visual, watch here.
I was so sure in fact, I cancelled my weekend plans with the guy I was currently dating to sit at home and wait for Paul to return from his college reunion weekend in Atlantic City. That’s right, I friend-requested him and then cancelled my date to sit at home and wait. Hashtag, loser. I know. My roommate at the time, God bless her, looked at me like I was crazy. And in fact, I was. Cray cray over a boy named Paul. No thank you Manhattan dating world, I had had enough. I was too far gone to ever look back.
True story: I asked him out first via email. More on that here.
A few weeks into dating, Paul and I spent a summer afternoon strolling around Central Park, sipping coffees and falling in love. We sat down on a bench overlooking the Great Lawn and, before we knew it, the day had past. All sense of time had dissipated. We were young and wild and free (cue Bryan Adams song). So on March 9th, when we brought some of our closest out-of-town friends to the Park for an afternoon of sightseeing, I couldn’t help but notice we were close to the Great Lawn and I just had to show off the bench where Paul and I had fallen in love. Like a true tour guide, I yelled back to the group that I was excited to show them this infamous bench. As we approached the bench from behind, I noticed a woman sitting on it and couldn’t help but think how much she looked like my mother. I quickly lost my thought because Paul began to walk really fast. I thought he too must be excited to show everyone where we fell in love. Boy was I right! As we got closer, I saw two coffees sitting on the bench and originally thought how rude it was that someone had left their trash on our beloved bench. But after taking a closer look, I saw that someone had written the names Paul and Kate on them. As I turned to look up at Paul I noticed my older brother was sitting on the next bench over. Then I spotted my cousin, my Dad, and eventually my entire family. Paul had coordinated the whole thing perfectly so that my entire family and closest friends were all there to witness the occasion. That woman on the bench had been my mother! I could feel Paul shaking as he said, “This is the bench where we fell in love, and I want to do that with you for the rest of my life.”
And before I knew it I was out of breath and trying to say the word YES! The full engagement story is here, but be warned, I am not a pretty crier.
Ironically enough, last week I went for a run in the park and decided to visit our little bench for the first time since the engagement. Perhaps it held no meaning before but this time I couldn’t help but notice its plaque read, “The Beginning of Forever.” How appropriate. Big shout out to Patti and Tom, whoever you are, for letting us begin our forever on your bench.
Next week: Theme, colors, choosing a photographer and girl scout cookies. You won’t want to miss it!
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