Cold Cuts

Hey folks! It's been a while!  When we were home we had some requests to keep up with this bad boy.   So, we have decided to do a quick one about the proposal!!

I was completely shocked! I had NO IDEA he was going to pop the question.  Everyone was putting it in my head that he was going to do it while we were home because I made such a big deal about being around my family and friends. But honestly, I didn't think he was going to do it.  I thought maybe he would look for the ring and do it while we were in the Philippines (February 2013).

When we first got home we were all over the place! He was out an about with his parents and I was hanging out with mine.  But the whole time Merrick was saying that we had to meet up at some point with some people he wanted to network with.  We always do stuff like that here so I didn't think anything of it.

The day of the proposal we were just laying around the house, eating breakfast with my parents, just being lazy.  That day was the day we were meeting up with those people. Around noon Merrick looked at me and said that he wanted to get there a little earlier so that we could grab a drink just us. I asked him what i should wear and he said jeans and a shirt.  I, of course have a fashion show in my room trying on everything. He wasn't being a big help, so I went down stairs to my parents (my dad knew not my mom) and asked them what they thought.  Lou always whistles and says I look great, but when I went down he said, "thats what you are wearing?" I was like, "What? When do you care about what I wear?"  He then started going on about how it was an important meeting to Merrick and I should dress more business casual.  So, I start putting dresses one, dress pants, and finally Merrick picked my outfit and told me to come on.

We are in the car heading towards downtown and get to Tsunami and get a spot right in front.  I walk right in and belly up to the bar.  Merrick goes to the bathroom and I order two large Sapporo's, a small sake, and baked mussels. I was ready to have an exciting lunch since Merrick said he was going to "expense" it. An event that involves the word 'expense' means a good time. 

We are having a good time and Merrick is just walking around an at the time I just thought he was nervous to meet up with this guy.  But, after a few minutes he starts to tell me that Brugger got him some free New Edition and if we were interested in them that we could get them from the Bi-lo center and I told Merrick that if he wanted to go grab them really quick I would wait.  He tells me that he is going to go outside to grab his jacket and all I could think of was why in the world is he wearing his jacket when its so hot outside.  I take photos all the time and I happened to capture him outside talking to a pedi-cab driver.  And I was thinking in my head that Merrick knows someone everywhere we go!

After a few minutes of being  outside with the pedi-cab driver he comes in and pays the tab and tells me that he knows the guy from Mauldin and he was going to give us a ride to the Bi-Lo Center for free.  I was all about that so I hop in the pedi-cab and there we go! He was struggling to get us around with all the hills in Greenville, but managed to get going. We start picking up some speed and I take a pic of us right before getting there.   We get e Bi-Lo Center and Merrick tells me to come with him. I tell him that I will just stay in the pedi-cab and wait.  It took John to tell me he had to make a phone call so I finally got out.  We walked in and g et the tickets and the man asks us if we wanted to see where the seats were.  In my head I was thinking no.  So, I start small talk with the guy asking him about Bobby Brown.  Not having a clue on what was about to happen. Merrick printed out the confirmation e-mail of our first date and when he handed me the piece of paper, I ignored it.

Merrick gave me this showing our first date. 

I had no idea what was about to come. If you haven't seen the video here it is.  Neither of us knew we were being videotaped. Debbie got her brother-in-law Rick to come and take pictures of us after we got engaged.  None of us knew he was going to do this! I am so happy he captured this!

It happened so fast! We were literally in an out in a matter of 10 minutes. Merrick did such a job! I love my ring and fiance! We are so happy and can't wait to start planning!  We haven't picked a date, yet but hopefully land something soon!! Will keep you posted!!

 After the engagement, the pedi-cab driver took us to the Commerce Club.  Our first date was the circus and commerce club.  Merrick is such a clever monkey.  He wanted it to just be my parents so that I could share this moment with them.  Here are a few pictures we got.  I didn't have my good camera so the iphone did some work,

Minda was one happy mama!

Happy he finally popped the question!

Had a nice little rainbow.

Minda's so cute!

Hey guys Pam wanted me to add my few cents since she has started the blog back up.  Just wanted to thank everyone for being there for us while we were home.  It was great to see that everyone is doing great.  We really do miss you all a lot.  All i can say is that I am a very very lucky man that i have been able to land a girl like pam and i am really looking forward to the future.   Thanks for all the support and i cant wait to see everyone when we come back home for the wedding!!! - Merrick

ps--Minda and Lou are very happy with me...