I find it hard to believe that so much has happened over the last year and I’ve said so little about it. Two posts over the last year during what seems to have been the most active and monumental part of my life?
Back in September of 2006 I met a wonderful woman named Sandy and her 10 year old son Jonathan and we all really hit it off in a big way. So much in fact that we decided to put her smaller house on the market and look for something larger so we could live comfortably. As luck would have it the timing was just right as the market was taking a turn for the worst and we sold the house for a reasonable price even though we did have to drop the price a couple times. We closed on Sandy’s house in May 2008.

Despite looking for several months prior, the first Saturday we went out to look, we found the house we wanted and in July 2008 we closed on our new house and surprise! as she opened the front door for the first time, I got down on one knee and proposed to her
Backstory: It’s important to note that I was planning on proposing for a while. I’d already asked her parents for permission several months before and her family offered me Sandy’s Grandmother’s ring to use. This was especially important because Sandy’s Grandmother was extremely important to her. The surprise of me asking her to marry me plus the fact that it was her Grandmother’s ring made me worry about her fainting lol
Over the next few months, we had gone to several weddings and the topic would of course come up frequently. I would tell Sandy I was looking to take things slow and, get this,… that I felt we were on the 5-7 year plan. This eventually really got her steaming to the point that she would say things like ‘Let’s change the topic’ lol I have to give her a lot of credit for sticking by me with the patience of an angel. Surely she gets props for not killing me or telling me to go to hell at the very least. I think even she will agree now that the torture heightened the surprise of me proposing that much more.
One night when we were at her parent’s house for dinner she brought up the topic innocently. Her parents brilliantly pretended to be upset about me not asking her knowing full well what I had planned. Her Father even taunted me with the fact that he owns guns lol The next day I talked to Sandy and told her “Can you please not bring up the marriage thing in front of your parents? I don’t want them to get upset at me” and she apologized having no idea that they already knew I was waiting for our new home’s closing. Damn I’m evil haha
As we got closer to the closing on our new home I took Jonathan out to the Hot Grill, the place we go out to lunch when it’s just him and I. They have the best ‘all the way’ hotdogs will chili and onions — oh my I feel the craving for one now — and I asked his permission as well. With him all for it, I then let him in on the plan. Little did I know it would work out perfectly and he would be such a great help.
- We close on the house and go there directly after
- I gave Sandy the keys and she opens the door
- She walks in ahead towards the kitchen
- I’m on one knee with the ring out the second I get in
- Jonathan goes in front of her stopping her to turn around
- She turns around and sees me
- Before I get a chance to ask, she runs completely out of the hallway into the kitchen with arms in the air like she was on fire
- After getting her breathing under control she came back about 2 full minutes later
- I proposed
- She accepted
It was a truly great day.
We’re planning on getting married on September 20, 2009, but we don’t have all the plans set. Jonathan will be my best man which will be great since over the last two years he and I have really become close. He’s my son and my best buddy. I’m not sure what to expect of a 10 year old’s bachelor party plans though
So what about the house? Awesome. I couldn’t be more happy with it. It’s a split level with approximately 3000 sq. ft. and 5.5 acres of land. The land was what initially drew me towards the place, but we fell in love with the rest of it when we walked in. The next day we asked our family and friends to look at it with us to double check our heads. They agreed with us. The house is laid out beautifully, there’s a giant 30 x 15 pool for Jonathan, an oversized garage, a great attic, full basement, 4 bedrooms, formal living room and dining room, eat in kitchen and a spacious family room which will allow us to entertain in comfort.
One of the first projects we did was painting which turned out nice thanks to Sandy and some help from her family. Sandy, Jonathan and I painted Jonathan’s room New York Ranger’s colors which turned out fairly nice as well
despite Sandy being a New Jersey Devils fan hehe PS – Jonathan used to be a New Jersey Devils fan also, but it appears I brought some taste to the family and Jonathan realized this
So far we’ve only had enough money and furniture to furnish the rooms we live in most (kitchen, bedrooms and family room) and we haven’t hung pictures or anything like that yet. I did mount the flatscreen over the fireplace though and I have to admit, I think it calls for a 65″. It’s just a bit too pricey for now methinks. We’ll probably wait a bit for that. Luckily we were able to make it homey enough to host Christmas this year. It was great fun having both our families there together. The den was a sea of presents (can’t believe I didn’t take a picture of that) and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Oh and that’s a picture of our dog Loona
Here’s another.
Sandy, Jonathan and I feel truly blessed. I wish everyone who reads this a happy and healthy 2009 and for this next year to be great for all of you.
And while I typically don’t practice New Year’s resolutions since I think we can make resolutions every day, here are some of the things that I would like to achieve this year on a personal level.
- Take more pictures
- Spend more time with family
- Host more parties in our new home
- Make more time for creation (music, writing, design)
- Update paulille.com regularly
- Exercise more often
- Lose a few pounds
- Eat better regularly
- Get away as often as possible
- Go hiking whenever possible
- Enjoy life
Hope you all had a happy holidays and have a great 2009!