Once Upon a Time...

...there was a girl who was absolutely desperate for an engagement ring. So desperate, in fact, that she constantly pleaded with her boyfriend of seven years to buy her one. The fact that everyone else--including her younger sister--was getting engaged certainly didn't help matters. Eventually, even the girl's friends and the boy's friends and their coworkers were all begging the boy to hurry up and buy his girlfriend a ring before she drove all of them insane. The boy was so annoyed that, at one point, he blurted, "If everyone would leave me alone about it for a month, something might happen!"

The girl couldn't do much about their friends and coworkers, but she took what her love said to heart. On the last day of April 2010, the girl vowed that she would go an entire month without mentioning a ring. And she kept her promise.

The couple and their friend (who happened to be the girl's best friend) had been planning a trip to Atlanta to watch the Braves play on May 15. That morning, they loaded up the car and drove the six hours from Mississippi to Atlanta, Ga. They checked into the hotel, grabbed a bite at a nearby restaurant, and headed to the game.

It was a scorching hot day, and the girls were happy walking around inside the stadium. The boy, however, insisted they go to their seats and watch batting practice. Eventually, his companions relented, and they found their seats. They even snagged an autograph from one of the players.

As the girls were examining the autographed baseball, the boy said, "So, I've been thinking, you've been really good for the last couple of weeks, and I thought I would reward you."

The girl turned to look at him. In his hand, he held a shiny ring topped with a round brilliant-cut diamond.

The boy continued: "So will you?"

At which point, the girl immediately said...

"You're joking. You're lying. You're lying."

And he replied, "No, I'm not. Am I?"

The girl's best friend said, "He's not."

The girl's hands flew to her mouth and she said, "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh yesyesyesyesYES!"

He slipped the ring on her finger, and then the real fun began...

Another 5QF!

1. What were your school colors?
Well, let's see...I went to a lot of schools, so I'll just give you a list:
HCS (elementary/junior high) - blue and red
NSHS (high school) - officially red and white, but the cheerleaders' uniforms sometimes had a little blue or black trim
NEMCC (community college) - black and gold
Ole Miss (university) - Harvard crimson and Yale blue
So basically, I'm a red/blue girl.

2. What's the best compliment you ever received?
I really like compliments on my writing. The other day, my editor commented on how beautifully I write, and that really meant a lot to me.

3. Do you buy cheap or expensive toilet paper?
I buy Angel Soft. It's cheap, but it's the only kind I like!

4. Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you? Or have you had one for someone else?
Both, actually! When I was younger I wanted a telescope for my birthday, and my mom and aunt and uncle bought me one, but they couldn't get it to work so they threw me a surprise party instead. Then this year, I threw a surprise 70th birthday party for my grandma. My sister and I started plotting it a year ago. I still can't believe she didn't find out until she walked through the door!

5. What is one material possession that you "can't live without"?
My laptop. I write, I read, I plan, I design. I cannot live without it.

I am in love...

...with the firefly invitations from minted.com.



Invitations are supposed to give guests their first taste of your wedding's personality. What says "Southern summer" better than a Mason jar full of lightening bugs?

Unfortunately, they're a little out of my price range. Haven't yet decided if I'm above selling my blood to be able to buy them.