Sunday, September 25, 2011, Lafayette, Louisiana~

Dear Journal~

I write this with a trembling hand and a rapidly beating heart.  My heart is pounding so fast it feels like it's gonna leap right out of my chest!

I still can't believe what has happened.  A week ago yesterday, on the 17th, my boyfriend proposed to me.  We were at the Louisiana-Lafayette (Ragin Cajuns) football game (they won, by the way), and right in front of everybody, Michael got down on his knees and proposed to me!  He asked ME to be his wife!  I couldn't answer: I was too stunned to speak.  

All I could do was nod my head and cry.  

The audience went wild, especially when they played the moment on the scoreboard.  I didn't know that I was being filmed, but when I saw the words "Ronee' Reaux, will  you marry me?" being displayed on the jumbotron, the first thing that came to my head was "Michael, I'm gonna strangle your skinny little turkey neck!!"  

Of course, after the game ended and we got home, Michael called my parents and broke the news to them.  I had to hold the phone away from my ear as my mom screamed.  Knowing maman, she probably busted into a torrent of tears.  I could hear it all now: "My baby girl's grown up! She's getting MARRIED!!" and blubbering all the while.  LOL  (Maman has always been extremely emotional.)

So while next month is Johnny's turn to shine in the spotlight as he gets married to HIS girlfriend, next year, 2012, will be MY year! :)

Two more children flying from the nest.  And more to follow, I'm sure.

We will be busy making wedding plans.  What my (and Michael's) outfits will look like, the color and style of the clothes for the best man, the groomsmen, the maid (and matron) of honor, the bridesmaids, the flower girl and ring bearer, and so forth.  The kind of music we will have (probably Cajun or country, or even a polka band, to celebrate Michael's Jewish/Polish/Slovenian heritage).  The kind of cake.  What foods will be featured.  Where the wedding and reception will be held.  Not to mention, picking out wedding invitations and the wedding rings.  OY, vey!! Lots of planning goes into a wedding!

I just hope we can find a venue to hold nearly 500 people (or even maybe more than that!!) ...

Suddenly all of this seems far away as I struggle to grasp with the concept that I am no longer a child.  I am a young woman who is in college and now has wedding plans in her future.  I don't know what I could have possibly done to deserve so many blessings from God in my life.  I don't think I have done anything that important; yet God seems to see differently.  He knows what is best for me, so it's up to me to trust Him in all things and go in the direction wherever He leads me.

Well, I am getting hungry, so I am going to cook something for the two of us and watch some football before we head over to our church tonight.  I will write in here again another time; until later, this is Ronee' Reaux signing off!  God bless; talk to you soon!

~Love, your friend, Ronee'.  :D