It might as well be spring: #cherica

Romance -- the genuine marrying kind -- has settled in amongst us and established residency. We've all moved over to allow sufficient room for it to thrive and prosper.

On the heels of the thrilling news of Andrew's engagement to Brittany, we are equally overjoyed to announce the engagement of our Erica to Mr. Chad Gregory Porter.

He proposed last Thursday evening, at sunset, on the Harry Easterling Bridge, a vintage trestle structure over the Broad River at Peak, South Carolina.

It was the site of one of their first dates -- they began sparking eleven months to the day before their engagement, on the occasion of our Andrew's house warming party last November -- and remains a place where they love to walk and experience nature.

After Erica said Yes! -- repeating herself, I am told, at least three times after the initial enthusiastic assent -- the two went for Neapolitan pizza at The Pompeii Oven in nearby Chapin, South Carolina.

But first, they began bombarding my phone with pictures of the ring. Okay: I asked for the pictures because we were all waiting at home with a celebratory dessert for the couple, dying to clap eyes on that small but mighty sparkly object.

We feel Chad outdid himself in the ring-picking-out department, and we told him so.

(He didn't do too badly in the wife-selection department either. Just saying.)

Erica has proclaimed her ring to be mysterious in its allure, and it is clear to the casual onlooker that this slightly zany observation gives her unlimited joy.

Meanwhile, in between night falling earlier and earlier these days, and the newly-engaged couple being hard to pin down on account of Chad having closed on the purchase of a house this week, and being busy moving, I have had a difficult time getting a decent picture of them.

As with Andrew and Brittany, a proper engagement shoot is planned for the near future. Until then, this parting shot will have to do.

We'd just had lunch yesterday, after church. As per usual for October in South Carolina, the outdoors was sweltering and sun-soaked like mid-summer. Poor Chad lamented his ability to do anything but squint into the camera, it was so bright where I stood.

But you get the idea. They're happy. We're happy they're happy. Everyone should be so happy.

An April wedding is in the works. Won't that be splendid?

Actual springtime, when these widespread manifestations of twitterpation will result in much lace-wearing and vow-taking and rice-throwing and honeymooning and all that rot.

Because it really is love that makes the world go 'round.

And that is all for now except for me to say once again: Congratulations, darlings.

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Happy Monday

Comments

[sally]

Wonderful, wonderful news! SO happy for all of you. Love is definitely in the air where y'all are! :)

xoxo

[Mari]

Woohoo! Congrats from the Bruins' in Allendale! We are both happy for all of you. The ring is a beauty, and I must agree. Chad did good. He knows how to pick rings, wives and in-laws too!

[Judy]

I feel pretty darn special and lucky that I got the news before this post!
You never can tell what wondrous things you find out by "going" to church.

[Luna Crone]

Happy times happening, around your family!

Lovely!

Oh I do hope you begin to see some weather relief. -sigh- Southern heat does go on, a wee bit too long. -sigh-

Oh my! Is a "Damn Yankee" allowed to say that?!?!?!?! -giggggles behind hand-

[Jennifer]

@Sally ... maybe even in the water. xoxo

@Mari ... we feel like the lucky ones! Chad's a real gem. xoxo

@Judy ... you sure were on the inside track this time! xoxo

@Luna ... you remind me of my late mother-in-law! She called herself that, haaahaha. xoxo

[Cheryl]

I love Chad's sweet face! Erica really did well in catching this guy. Erica is a catch herself. They are a lovely couple. Why do guys feel the need to propose on bridges? That is the scariest place!!!!!! Many guys have dropped the ring and you know the rest of the story. So glad they didn't drop that gorgeous ring!!!!

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... so funny you should say that. Chad wasn't given a "pocket box" by the jeweler, and the ring's box was much too big to carry and remain "under the radar." Hence, the ring was loose in his pocket as they walked on the bridge, and Chad was terrified he'd drop it into the river. Erica said she was holding his arm (she knew what was up) and could feel him tensed from clutching so hard onto that ring! We joked that it was a wonder she didn't have to pry each finger up from his clenched fist, to get to the tiny ring. But he managed to drop to one knee, make a sweet speech, ask his question, get his answer, and place the ring on her finger without incident. I'll have nightmares about it, haaahahaa. xoxo

[Barb]

News to put a smile on my face as I look at the happy couple. Congratulations to them. I love the ring.