Personal: 5 years

Today is my 5 year Anniversary with my very best friend, Tim.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate than by sharing our proposal story with you guys. The place he proposed to me this past New Year's Eve is a special place to us, because it was the the same place we became 'official' five years ago. We've done so much growing up in these last 5 years, together and individually. We are not the same people we were when we started dating, we are far from it. Through the best and worst times it's been the most beautiful, most difficult journey I have ever been on. I'm so utterly grateful for each day he has been in my life, and I can't wait to share the rest of my life with him.

So here's our story, captured by our dear friends Daryl and Em-em. 

And because we've finally gotten around to sharing our story with our nearest and dearest loved ones, here's my most perfect "Ica" engagement ring. I know it's been a long time coming but I really wanted share the story and ring together, and thankfully this video came to us just in time for our anniversary.

He did it, he got me exactly what I hoped and dreamed of. After seeing so many rings, a few years ago I decided that once it's was my turn I wanted a ring that was so different, something unique, something that was completely and utterly me. I even remember the day I decided that so very clearly.

It was decided that my dream ring had to be handmade {I literally wanted something off of Etsy}, a raw cut diamond {cloudy, imperfect, with texture, nothing less}, round or tear drop shaped, and on a gold band {Because everyone close to me knows I always wear gold}. Though I would have loved and adored any ring Tim would have given me, he got every specific detail I wanted perfect and he made my dreams come true.

I smile everyday when I put it on knowing I will soon be his wife and I'm so blessed by how well he knows me. This is going to one amazing weekend, I just know it. It'll be full of celebrations as I also turn 25 this sunday.

Hope you guys have an amazing weekend also!

Anniversary Wedding: Rudy & Connie

They we celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary,

What they didn't know was that a room full of their family and friends were throwing them a surprise anniversary wedding!

Her dreams were about to come true.

Meet Rudy and Connie Perocho, better known as my best friend's parents. They've been married for 25 years but have never had a wedding ceremony or reception with friends and family around. That all changed very quickly ... and that day Tita, {meaning aunt} Connie walked down the aisle to meet her husband and groom Tito {meaning uncle} Rudy.

Everything happend so quickly, but so beautifully.

And then they danced is if it were their very first dance.

He was hers.

She was his.

And all was right in the world.

Oh how i love love.

Though everyone's presence that day was a surprise, it was extra special that Tita Connie's sisters and their families traveled all the way from Canada to make it down and help make this party even more complete. They are always soo lovely, and never age a day. I hope I look just as good as them and age just as gracefully when I get older.

On a different note, I love love love these little faces. It reminds me why I love weddings so much, it's because like these girls, I grew up surrounded by weddings, infatuated with them ... and was a flowergirl in just about 100 different weddings. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I think me and my best friend must have broken some kind of record for being flowergirls so many times. And in those times I feel in love, and it's a love I still have not given up.

Speaking of my best friend, here she is giving her very

first 'maid of honor speech' for her loving parents ....

And in her own words it was "one of the best days of her life", as I'm sure it was for her parents ... capturing it all on "film" {for lack of a better word} brought me sheer joy.

I love my best friend and her parents and I praise God

for blessing their family with 25 years of love, life and joy.

Happy Anniversary Perocho Family. I love you!