I said "Errhhhaaghh"

John and I cannot even begin to describe how amazing the excitement from our friends and family made us feel. 

How loved. Overwhelmed. Downright goofy and giddy.

In a world where we thought we only had each other, suddenly people from all corners of our lives popped up and reminded us that it's okay to be happy; because, unexpectedly, so many of you were happy for us. 

And there is a giant hug and rowdy high-five waiting for all of you.

I've spent the last two weeks in La-La Land, undergoing a pretty major transition yet again, this time all while enjoying a long overdue vacation to the Keys and taking on some big projects at work. I've had the pleasure of getting back behind the camera again, and I've even read nearly three books now for the pure and blissful sake of enjoyment. And, of course, taking considerable breaks to stop and stare at my left hand... and smile at my future huzzzzbin.

But let's back to bid'ness:

Y'all wanna know how it went down.

A little over two weeks ago, John concocted a story that one of his young professional groups associated with this job was hosting a night of activities for their group. One of the big activities was an interactive scavenger hunt through downtown Columbia. He asked if I wanted to go, which of COURSE I wanted to; I am the almighty queen of scavenger hunts, so none of those other kids stood a chance. He gets back to me later with a heavy sigh, saying we'll be on vacation with the family when it's scheduled, so it's a no-go. Shaking my fists to the air, I sank broken-heartedly... you get off easy this time, nerds.

A few days go by and the welling anxiety of packing/cleaning for vacation, finishing up work projects, submitting final resumes and cover letter packets to big-kid jobs, and trying to edit photo shoots was revving up, and I was starting to get weird and angsty. John called excitedly from work and said that since we wouldn't be able to do the hunt with the group, they would set up the hunt for us to "test" the clues and see how interactive and accessible everything was so they could make changes before the event. Stressed and delirious with a bulging To Do list, I hesitated but agreed because I really REALLY love scavenger hunts. 

John arrives early from work excited to get moving on the scavenger hunt and instructs me to download an app on my phone that can read QR codes. He types in a link into my phone's browser and a welcome page pops up with the first picture clue. Meanwhile, my inner Type-A rationalist is screaming wildly in my head that the last thing I have time to do is run around and search for random clues; my inner competitor is DYING to be outside on a gorgeous Friday afternoon and lay a smack down on this hunt. I leave them to battle it out as I follow John in a daze to the first clue. 

Our first clue takes us to University of South Carolina's historic Horseshoe - which isn't necessarily a specifically romantic spot for us, but a special place considering we've done our undergraduate and graduate studies at USC. Not to mention the plenty of homework and picnic dates, runs through campus, and special events we took part in at the Horseshoe. I immediately see the code at the base of the statue in the middle, and scan the first code. Another page pops up and photos of a George Washington statue and large, lofty columns show up... HELLOOO, South Carolina Statehouse!

Sprinting over to the Statehouse I find the QR code by ol' George and scan frantically, waiting for the next thing page to pop up. It buzzes open and there's a photo of a fat, funny outdoor lamp and more columns. DUDE, I know this... and I grab John by the hand run across the courtyard and the street to the SC Supreme Court. I am SO good at this.

We immediately find the next code by one of the fat, funny lamps and it's starting to get trickier. A bizarre vault looking photo pops up and I panic it's one of the bagillion banks downtown. Remembering I'm a hopeless lush, I know I've seen that vault before and Lord knows it's not at some bank... not a currently functioning one anyways. It's The Vault bar at the downtown Sheraton... WHAT THEN, FOOLS! I cannot be beat!

We rush over and the two girls at the front desk wearing ascots and plastered smiles from ear-to-ear ask if they can help us with anything. I give a spazzy story about the scavenger hunt and before I can finish, I see the clue and sprint over the code, wielding my iPhone like a magic wand.  Another clue pops up with an oddly composed photo of an outdoor sculpture... and a super close-up of one of the most recognized and well-loved pieces in Columbia. We're going to the Columbia Museum of Art. One of my favorite places. Ever.

Making our way to the museum, we move as fast as we can because it closes pretty soon. Suddenly I'm hit with another wave of anxiety as I realize how late in the day it is, and I'm trying with all my might not to have an attack about all the responsibilities and To Do's that await me after this adventure ends. We stumble into the museum and I ask the girl at the front desk if we can't just sneak up the stairs to find the clue. Luckily John and I are members so I quick give her my name and almost take off her arm as I grab the admission stickers and blaze toward the staircase, John in tow. 

The famed Art Chihuly chandelier at CMoA.

We get to the bottom of the staircase and John softly but firmly grabs my hand. I can feel his pulse quicken in his palm but, to me, it registers nothing more than the fact that we just ran several blocks of downtown Columbia. I walk slowly up the stairs to let him catch his breath because he's moving so cautiously, but inside I'm thinking C'mooon, I've got to go find the clue NOOOOWWW. We get up to the top of the stairs and across the floor is the clue. He lets go of my hand and points me to go scan it... there was a family in the way so I quite literally knock them out of the way with a boisterous EXCUUUUUSE MEEE!

I scan the code.

It's the final one.

I've made it!

It loads the next photo...

And there's a picture of a ring.

WHAT.

Now, imagine you're on a roller coaster: You're finally getting used to the weird jerks, super fast speed, loud screams of fear and delight, even the dizzying lights and colors as they whiz by. 

And then the roller coaster comes to a screeching halt.

While you're way up high at the largest crest of the coaster.

Upside down.

That's all I can do to describe it.

At a loss for words, I spin around as John takes my hand and says some incredibly sweet things (which I had to have him repeat later because I was so bewildered and in shock I couldn't remember it all)....

As he slowly sinks to knees, smiles, and asks the craziest thing I've ever heard:

Celia, will you marry me? 

Lots and lots of emotions coming from EVERY corner of my being.

The room is spinning.

I start to cry.

I think it's crying.

WAIT, I'm in a public place.

Don't cry here, you dummy!

Just tell him!

Say it!

Spit it out!

"Ehhhrraaghhfff!!!"

WHAT?

No! Say "yes!"

I nod my head dramatically until I think it's going to come clean off my neck.

Yes yes YES!

"Oh meeey, I-I-I-I, OH MY GEE, aaahahhahaa, YEAAH. AH!"

And my dumb-struck response suited John just fine.

And I happily accepted the most wonderful, shiny, beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on.

Just what I wanted: Emerald cut solitaire diamond, thin white gold band, clear, sparkly, simple, and mine ALL mine.

After John's engagement surprise accomplices -- his little sister, Cadey, and a couple of her friends -- pop out and give big hugs as I'm choking back whatever emotional reactions are brewing in my chest and throat, we run home for a quiet moment. And of course, to tell my dogs the good news. 

We head back over to the Sheraton for a celebratory drink with his family... and I'm fortunate his uncle, Mike, was able to capture several shots from that, which you can see here.

And then we spent our Key West family vacation as fiances.

And because I've waited almost ten years for this,

I decided I get to post one more obnoxious-newly-engaged-girl ring photos.

No date, no details, no nothing set or determined right now.

For a girl who can barely remember what she had for lunch, this wedding planning thing is going to be a real project. But considering John pulled off such a heist, I may leave him to do most of the planning... ;)

For now, I think I'll stay in La-La Land a little longer.

As always?
More to come...

**Thank you to ALL those involved in the surprise and pulling off such a special moment- especially helping plant the codes and capturing the photos (and giving me rights to edit!)