I Said Yes!

     Yes, I am engaged! I must begin by stating that both Todd and I truly do believe in the commitment of marriage. We have an open mind though and feel that different people commit in different ways. We believe in love and if you are in love and happy, we support your personal choices whatever they may be. Todd chose this special time in our lives to ask me and I was oh so happy to say yes! 4.26.11.

Let me tell you about how it happened.  Then I will tell you all about the ring...

      My father owns a beautiful farmhouse that sits privately on a lake. I thought Todd, Koa and I were going to the park to play but on the way there Todd says, “Lets go stop at the farmhouse one last time before we move to Hawaii, I know how much you love it there.” Meanwhile, I am thinking in my head why the heck does he want to stop there, I was excited to play with him and Koa in the park and we still have a few more weeks before we move…

      We pull up to the farmhouse and I immediately remember why I love it there so much, the charm of the old house, a large piece of land, deer, trees to climb and play in, a stream, greenhouse, birds- it’s a special place. On a tree, I see a sign with my name and arrow pointing in the direction it wants me to follow. I was confused but very intrigued. I walked in the direction of the arrow and in the distance on another tree right by a gorgeous little stream is another sign that reads “Kimberly, I love you,” flowers everywhere, there is a small picnic set up for us and it is perfect; tons of fruit and little snacks and a small tent for Koa to play and relax in. I immediately turn to tell Todd how cute the entire picnic is, and he gets down on one knee. I don’t even know how to describe this part in words. I was smiling and I think I said yes before he could even finish his beautiful words to me. We started crying and he opened the box and showed me the ring. It was perfect, he knows me so well.

     Now to describe the ring that Todd put so much time and work into making for me. Over the past few months Todd has been secretly having a small couple from Canada make my ring. The couple designates and entire month per ring. “We believe that wearing a wood ring speaks volumes about your commitment to the environment and to the concept of simple living. “Check out there site, what they do is wonderful…

      Todd designed the entire thing and they sent him pictures at each stage of the process.  Every ring this couple makes is designed for a special person, and each ring is unique and one of a kind. That is what makes me love it so much- it is both natural and designed with love. The outside is made from Koa wood. Weaved within it, in the shape of the symbol of infinity, is the Paua shell from New Zealand (see link below), Sage and a Hawaiian shell. The inside in made from bamboo and has a secret message from Todd to me. It is simply beautiful. The day was amazing and I will hold its beauty with me forever. He is perfect.  I look forward to growing old with this man. The next stop on our journey together is Hawaii.

Please check out the sites and pictures for more details!

http://www.touchwoodrings.com/

Paua Shell:http://www.reijewellery.co.nz/what_is_paua.htm

Dancing Naked At The Edge of Dawn- You Will Become a Kris Radish Fan

     Dancing Naked At the Edge of Dawn was the first Kris Radish book that was put into my hands by my college friend, Katherine. Her mother had given it to her to read and she knew after reading it the next person to pass it to. She said something along the lines of, “I think you need to read this book and let in inspire you.” She could not have been more right for at the time I was in need of some feminine inspirations and strength.

     Kris Radish in an author who believes in the inner connectedness of women and the power found within mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. Lets face it girls, we need each other and we need great novels to remind us of how lucky we are to have sisters all around the world who understand us.

Over the years, I have passed this book to several of my girlfriends, all of who have loved it and found their own inspirations from it. It truly is a great book that all women can find their own connections within. It is about the power of a woman’s spirit. Reviews describe it as:

     “What if a wild moment in your life gave you the power to move to a place you only dreamed of? What if you really could dance naked at the edge of dawn every single day of your life? This story of a life coming round to where it should have started is a strong vision for all who know the power of change and chance and those who may need inspiration to be what we have always dreamed of being. Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn is an eloquent novel, that "reads like a poem" and will resonate through the hearts of women everywhere. Life, love, the joy of friendship, family bonds and the notion that, only our hearts, and not society or someone else's rules, can tell us how to live make this a book that will make every reader definitely dance. “

     You will get lost in this book and want to pass it on to the women that surround your life! In my opinion, it is a much better and more inspiring read than Elizabeth Gilbert’s, Eat, Pray, Love. Enjoy!