Happiness is...

Love!

On August 21st, my sweetie Rob asked me to marry him.  He had given me a big hint the day before by telling me that if his team won the championship game, there might be another miracle on ice after the game.  Well, they didn't win the game, and I was very worried about him changing his mind, but after team photos he stayed on one knee and popped the question.  As you can probably guess, my response was an enthusiastic, "YES! YES! YES!!!"  I love that he asked me on the ice, and that our friends were there to witness and enjoy it.

One week later (last week) we went to Minnesota to meet his family.  I was nervous as we were flying in, but I very quickly felt like I was gaining a wonderful new family.

 (Me), Rob, his mother Kimiko, sister Diane, and sister Sally.  I also got to meet his brother Tom and the respective spouses, children, and grandchildren.  Such a wonderful, generous family!

 I also got to meet Robbie's dear friend Mel.  Mel could tell you the history of every corner of St. Paul!

As we explored St. Paul and areas near by, I caught glimpses of Rob's childhood - the places and the people who helped make him the man that he is today.

 

A house in Rob's old, downtown neighborhood.

The suburban home his family moved to when he was in third grade.  This is where he skated down the backyard in the winter to the pond where he played hockey with neighborhood friends.

The beautiful St. Croix River.  We took this tour on sister Sally and her husband Gary's boat.

The botanical conservatory at Como Park. 

The great big beautiful Belgians at the Minnesota State Fair.

More from the state fair.

Happiness is....

 this life that we are growing together.

xoxo  lulu