Marci and I instantly hit it off when we met. We chatted about her wedding and work and everything in between. Marci & Josh recently got engaged so I asked both of them for their views of the proposal! We spent the afternoon wandering around downtown Lafayette. Shout out to Brittany at Gallery 333 for letting us use the space! We then made our way to their first date spot, Lafayette Lanes! Anyone who knows me, knows I love bowling.
Josh on the proposal:
“I tried to come up with a plan because i wanted it to be something special and memorable. After hours of searching I finally had a great idea that I felt was unique. I wanted to take her to a park where it was peaceful and private to propose. My first idea was to do it the weekend her friend had a baby shower in Mandeville. We were going to Fontainebleau state park. However I realized I wanted her family involved and that my plan wasn’t very well thought out. So I used that opportunity as a trial run and an opportunity for us to hang out and relax. After we got home I had some time to think about my plan a bit more and how I was going to ask. So I put my plan together and organized her family, my family, and my details. We went to jungle gardens in Avery island where we drove around and took pictures. We finished driving through and I asked her if she wanted to go have a quick sip of wine before leaving. I took out the picnic basket that I bought for the previous trip. I set the basket down and asked Marci if she could lay the blanket down. As she was doing that I pulled roses from the picnic basket and grabbed the ring. I handed her a note that I wrote and when she finished reading I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.”
Marci on how they met & their engagement:
At work early one Saturday morning, Kate said "Celise has a surprise for you." I had no idea what that meant, so I just brushed it off. Later, Kate reminded Celise of her surprise. She started to tell me about this guy that was friends with her husband, John. His name was Josh. He was single, I was single, and she wanted us to meet. I immediately said "nope," but I'm really glad I changed my mind. After some convincing, they set up a triple date at Lafayette Lanes. Celise, John, Kate, Chris, Josh, and me. It was probably one of the most awkward dates of my life and I was extremely nervous. The only words I spoke to him as we were picking out bowling balls was, "sweet velcros," in reference to his bowling shoes. Smooth one, Marce. After this awkward 2 hours of bowling I went home. I didn't hear from Josh for about a week and a half. As I was leaving town for my brother's wedding in Austin, TX, he messaged me. He wanted to meet up again, but he had to wait a few days. I was okay with that because he made me wait a few days before contacting me! That Sunday when I got back to town he picked me up, we played X-Golf and ate Mexican food and fro-yo – a winning combination. It's history from there, y’all! I guess I won him over with my love of food and with my inability to hit a golf ball.
I was certain he was going to ask the weekend we went to Mandeville. We went to Fontainebleu State Park. We kept setting up his Go-Pro and my Nikon on their tripods and taking photos. After walking around for a while he surprised me with a picnic! We had cheese and wine and the Go-Pro was set up looking right at us the whole time. THEN some magical deer comes running out of the woods and nearly jumps over us. Not kidding. But he never asked! Naturally, I was a little disappointed. We ended the weekend by going to our favorite brewery, Abita Brewing, and having brunch the next morning at a really cute restaurant in Mandeville.
The next Friday he asked me to take off work early. I knew something was up because he NEVER does that. I went home early and waited on him, as usual. He picked me up and told me we were going to Jungle Gardens – 45 minutes away. I was wondering why he didn't just pick me up from work because that would have saved about 20 minutes! Nonetheless, to Jungle Gardens we went. He set up the Go-Pro, just like last time. We walked around, just like last time. He ended up pulling out the picnic basket... just. like. last. time. y'all. So here I am feeling all the DejaVu. He told me I was in charge of the picnic blanket. Playing along, I went to lay the blanket down. When I turned around he was holding a dozen red roses with the sweetest note. As I finished reading he was on one knee! He may have opened the ring box upside down but I said yes in an instant. *He wants me to clarify that he turned the ring box around after he "immediately" realized it was upside down.*
After all of this, I called my mom to tell her about it and she seemed a little uninterested. That was a little weird, but I knew I was going to see her soon. She was coming to my house later that evening to stay with me before a race the next morning. On the way home, still on cloud nine, I was ready to see my mom! Josh suggested we stop at Parish Brewing for a celebratory beer. I said no. He said come on! I said no again. He was insisting that it would be a quick stop so I finally gave in. As we pull up and park I see my mom's car! She wasn't uninterested at all; she was trying to drive and didn't want me to hear the road noise! She knew all along! He invited my parents and some of his family to celebrate with us. It was the best surprise!
Click here to view their wedding.
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