Flowers, Sunshine, and Newly Engaged

So the dates have been decided.

Benoit and I will celebrate our official engagement April 14, 2012.

NOTE: This will be the date where I will finally receive and be allowed to wear my real engagement ring!  The official French tradition concerning engagements is this:

-the man asks the woman if she will accept his request in marriage (without a ring)
-the couple makes the announcement to each pair of parents (separately) to see if they are willing to accept
-the family either hands-down a ring that has been in the family for now centuries or the parents leave the choice up to the woman to choose her own ring (it is the whole family, not just the man who pays for the ring)
-the couple now has the right to announce their engagement to friends and the rest of the family
-a date is then decided for a small service at the church in order to have the engagement ring blessed, followed my a meal with the family

In our case, Benoit's parents gave me the choice of 3 jewelry stores where there was an array of rings, which they had previously chosen, waiting for me.  I was to be the one to pick out which ring I wanted.  It was the whole family (including the Grandmother) who paid for the ring.  Therefore, it is now considered "a family jewel" which I am allowed to pass on to our son or daughter in the years to come.

WARNING: This ring is huge.  I mean I am talking enormous.  I have to carry special papers with me whenever I travel just in case something happens to it.  Holy poop!

Benoit and I will be getting married civilly at the town hall in Nantes sometime in the beginning of September 2012 (due to visa issues haha--Elizabeth you know what a joy immigrant paperwork is!)

We will receive the sacrament of marriage and say our forever lasting vows Saturday April 13, 2013 at Saint Donatien Church in Nantes, France.

Benoit and I will be hosting our wedding reception following the mass, which is at present being celebrated at 3pm (however, that might change if another couple is scheduled to be married that day, too!), at Le Chateau de la Pigossière (The Pigossière Castle).  Here is a picture and the website below if you would like to take a peek!

http://www.chateau-de-la-pigossiere.com/

(Keep a look out for "Save the Date" cards in the upcoming months!)

The following week, on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, Benoit and I are planning for a mass at Saint Edward's Church in order to celebrate and possibly "renew" our marriage vows.  The mass will be followed by a tradition Polish/American reception.  Benoit and I are waiting until our trip to the US in August in order to decide on a place.  

Ideas of colors, dresses, decorations, etc. are all being tossed around.  I love all the wedding talk :) However, having the opportunity to enjoy a few simple moments with my new fiancé in the garden planting daffodils, well that's somehow (in a certain way) even better :)

These are for you Mom!

I think Benoit now regrets buying me the bright pink watering can hehe ;)

Why hello "Happily engaged couple!!"  I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)