Lindy and Karin are OFFICIALLY engaged to be married!!!
It was a low-key April evening in 2009 when Lindy and Karin met at San Padros Restaurant in Hudson, WI. They had reconnected via FaceBook after having known each other in social settings through friends of friends. Lindy asked Karin if she would like to get together to talk about the divorce process, as he had recently completed it, and Karin was in the midst of it.
That evening was the start of something truly special. It was then that Karin saw that she could truly be loved for who she is. Unconditionally. Nothing to prove. Just the way she is. Their relationship progressed beautifully.
They had looked for rings together back in August, so Lindy knew what Karin was looking for. He was DEAD SET on surprising her. Karin has a bit of an imagination, so at even the slightest hint or sign that Lindy had the ring or was going to propose, she would get her hopes up. The week of Thanksgiving was especially hard because she was ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED that he had gotten the ring and was going to propose that weekend. After a wonderful, yet ringless, weekend, she told him that she just couldn't keep getting her hopes up like she had been. So, the only "ring talk" allowed was to be when he was going to propose.
Lindy had been teasing Karin here and there about it because, low and behold, he DID get the ring the week of Thanksgiving! He had brought it to his parents' house to show them, and had told her parents that weekend as well. He had a feeling that Karin was suspicious, so he held her in suspense! He would tease her that he had it, but then, oh so convincingly tell her that he would not be able to afford it until after the first of the year.
On the evening of December 12, 2010, Lindy took Karin to San Padros for dinner. That was the setting of their first date. He often takes Karin out to dinner and on dates, so there was no reason for her to get her suspicions up. They had a wonderful meal together and were talking of their first date and what it had meant to them.
After the meal, Lindy asks "So, did you really think I had ulterior motives on our first date?" Karin had teased him over the course of their relationship that he indeed had ulterior motives since she had a feeling he wanted to see if anything could spark between the two of them instead of just innocently getting together to discuss the divorce process as friends. Karin responded with a smile and said "I dunno...." jokingly. He continued by saying "Well, I didn't have ulterior motives then, but I did have ulterior motives tonight." And then he pulled out the ring and asked her to marry him!
Stunned. Shocked. Surprised. Speechless! Karin had NO idea that this was coming and was completely blown away. All she could do was to get up and hug him and say "Oh, my God!!" over and over again while kissing him and crying. The entire restaurant erupted in applause upon realizing that they were getting engaged.
After making a quick trip to the bathroom to refresh her makeup, Karin found that Lindy had moved to a booth near the back of the restaurant and had a bottle of champagne delivered. The two of them sat in the booth for an hour or so talking about how he had gotten the ring, who he had told, and how he planned to surprise her. They felt like the only two people on earth.
The restaurant insisted on treating them to dessert, so they chose a chocolate/caramel cake to bring home, since they were both too excited to eat.
The proposal could not have gone more perfectly and now they are set on getting their wedding planned. It will be a small affair, most likely in late May or early June of 2011.
This is the start of a new and exciting chapter in their lives. Stay tuned for details! :)
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Ultimate Fairy Tale
May 10, 2010
My parents, Tim and Jean, have been through the ringer a few times together. They met in the late 70's in a band called "Sweet Surrender" and fell straight in love. Mom wanted kids, Dad kinda just went along with it. They got married on September 20, 1980 decked out in powder blue tuxes and yellow dresses. (Ug-LEE in my opinion, but whatever!)
They had me just 10 short months later. Letting life come at them as it did, Joel was born a mere 14 months after me. YIKES!!! They settled into life in a modest two story home in South Saint Paul, MN.
As with every marriage, there were difficulties. Instead of rehashing the unhappy moments and airing dirty laundry, we are going to focus on the fairy tale part of the story.
17 years after they got married, my parents divorced. Many different things led up to this parting. I truly believe that they needed some time apart to discover who they were and what they wanted out of life by themselves before they could commit to another relationship. They both "dated" here and there after the divorce, but to no one that they could either see building a future with.
They still remained friends after they divorced. Dad would help Mom with her car (as he does for ANYONE who parks their car in his driveway - it is like a full-service garage - even if you just stop by to say "hi"!) and mom helped him out. They embarked into separate lives, although they always stayed somewhat connected.
Some people would assume that they stayed in close contact because of the kids. But my brother, Joel, and I were nearing our 20's and didn't really have the need for constant "parenting".
Life and it's ironic cruelty at times led my mom to moving back in with my dad, 8 years after the divorce. She needed somewhere to live and his door had always been open for her. After some ground rules being set, she moved back in.
In this time, I had gotten married and got pregnant with Cadance. I could not wait to be a mother, and my mom was ELATED that she was going to become a grandmother.
Cadance was born and life was merry. The year after Cadance was born, my dad turned 50 years old. On New Year's Eve, 2005, my dad took his very last drink and he has never looked back.
Watching an alcoholic become sober is an experience that is hard to put into words. I feel like I did not know my dad my entire childhood and I was getting to know him for the first time. I discovered that my dad is funny - really funny! He is highly intelligent. He has an amazing work ethic that is to be respected and modeled after. He is more talented than he will ever admit to, but he takes pride in what he does well. He is loving and gentle and unarmingly sensitive at times. He has a deep faith in God. My mom started to see these things in him too. And now that he could see life clearly, he started seeing the treasure that she is.
My mom has most tender heart of anyone that you will ever meet. In the "rediscovering of themselves" process, she realized that she sometimes let people take advantage of her, but she was starting to grow a backbone so she could stand up for herself. She is kind, generous, and loving, almost to a fault. She always put everybody else first. She has an amazing natural music ability, yet she is more modest than Mother Teresa herself. She has this quiet rejoicing about her that is so precious. She, too, has a deep faith in God.
Having gotten to know themselves as single people, they started "dating" again. My dad would take my mom to the Como Zoo on Friday afternoons so that they could walk through the Conservatory and he could take pictures to torture Joel and I with later. (I mean, seriously, how many pictures of one flower can one man take?!?!) They went out to dinner together. They went to concerts together. They made a date of grocery shopping together. They were "together" for the first time in their relationship. I had NEVER seen them date or be affectionate in my childhood. Seeing their newfound happiness was exciting, but also a little disarming at first. How many kids just PRAY their parents get back together after a divorce? So many. Yet, how often does it really happen? Not very.
On May 23rd of this year, my parents are getting married. To each other. This marriage was born from forgiveness and a true understanding of what unconditional love is. A fairy tale, blessed by God.
In the ceremony, they are incorporating things they had in their first wedding. Some of the same songs, and traditions that our family has held close throughout history. Joel and I are going to be performing as well. It should be interesting to see how many tears are shed in this truly remarkable gift that God has given them.
My parents, Tim and Jean, have been through the ringer a few times together. They met in the late 70's in a band called "Sweet Surrender" and fell straight in love. Mom wanted kids, Dad kinda just went along with it. They got married on September 20, 1980 decked out in powder blue tuxes and yellow dresses. (Ug-LEE in my opinion, but whatever!)
They had me just 10 short months later. Letting life come at them as it did, Joel was born a mere 14 months after me. YIKES!!! They settled into life in a modest two story home in South Saint Paul, MN.
As with every marriage, there were difficulties. Instead of rehashing the unhappy moments and airing dirty laundry, we are going to focus on the fairy tale part of the story.
17 years after they got married, my parents divorced. Many different things led up to this parting. I truly believe that they needed some time apart to discover who they were and what they wanted out of life by themselves before they could commit to another relationship. They both "dated" here and there after the divorce, but to no one that they could either see building a future with.
They still remained friends after they divorced. Dad would help Mom with her car (as he does for ANYONE who parks their car in his driveway - it is like a full-service garage - even if you just stop by to say "hi"!) and mom helped him out. They embarked into separate lives, although they always stayed somewhat connected.
Some people would assume that they stayed in close contact because of the kids. But my brother, Joel, and I were nearing our 20's and didn't really have the need for constant "parenting".
Life and it's ironic cruelty at times led my mom to moving back in with my dad, 8 years after the divorce. She needed somewhere to live and his door had always been open for her. After some ground rules being set, she moved back in.
In this time, I had gotten married and got pregnant with Cadance. I could not wait to be a mother, and my mom was ELATED that she was going to become a grandmother.
Cadance was born and life was merry. The year after Cadance was born, my dad turned 50 years old. On New Year's Eve, 2005, my dad took his very last drink and he has never looked back.
Watching an alcoholic become sober is an experience that is hard to put into words. I feel like I did not know my dad my entire childhood and I was getting to know him for the first time. I discovered that my dad is funny - really funny! He is highly intelligent. He has an amazing work ethic that is to be respected and modeled after. He is more talented than he will ever admit to, but he takes pride in what he does well. He is loving and gentle and unarmingly sensitive at times. He has a deep faith in God. My mom started to see these things in him too. And now that he could see life clearly, he started seeing the treasure that she is.
My mom has most tender heart of anyone that you will ever meet. In the "rediscovering of themselves" process, she realized that she sometimes let people take advantage of her, but she was starting to grow a backbone so she could stand up for herself. She is kind, generous, and loving, almost to a fault. She always put everybody else first. She has an amazing natural music ability, yet she is more modest than Mother Teresa herself. She has this quiet rejoicing about her that is so precious. She, too, has a deep faith in God.
Having gotten to know themselves as single people, they started "dating" again. My dad would take my mom to the Como Zoo on Friday afternoons so that they could walk through the Conservatory and he could take pictures to torture Joel and I with later. (I mean, seriously, how many pictures of one flower can one man take?!?!) They went out to dinner together. They went to concerts together. They made a date of grocery shopping together. They were "together" for the first time in their relationship. I had NEVER seen them date or be affectionate in my childhood. Seeing their newfound happiness was exciting, but also a little disarming at first. How many kids just PRAY their parents get back together after a divorce? So many. Yet, how often does it really happen? Not very.
On May 23rd of this year, my parents are getting married. To each other. This marriage was born from forgiveness and a true understanding of what unconditional love is. A fairy tale, blessed by God.
In the ceremony, they are incorporating things they had in their first wedding. Some of the same songs, and traditions that our family has held close throughout history. Joel and I are going to be performing as well. It should be interesting to see how many tears are shed in this truly remarkable gift that God has given them.
Pretty Things....
August 20, 2010
It is happening...or well, it will be, soon enough. Lindy took me to look at engagement rings on Monday evening!!!
We had a blast! After seeing a handful of rings that I dubbed "not quite right", you know, Libby has one that looks like that, Sharon's looked like that, that one looks too much like my previous wedding ring, etc, I had finally explained enough to the woman helping us (Heidi) what I was looking for.
Lindy pulled up a picture of a ring from the website of the store we were at. Heidi got all excited and pulled out a few that resembled it. I (thought I had) fell in love with the first one. It was a bridal set and it was beautiful. I wasn't crazy about how some of the stones were set, but it was good enough. Lindy showed her the picture of the one I REALLY loved and she came out with that one. I, then, fell truly in love. It was beautiful, within our (well, his) price range, and it was perfect!!
I emailed the picture of a ring to a few of my friends the next day. Jess responded back with "Oh, it is SO beautiful! It's perfect!" It was then that it hit me that I actually get to WEAR and HAVE this ring!!! But, it is not about the ring to me. Lindy really wanted to "do it right" and get me a ring that really represents our love. What really matters to me is him. I am home when I am with him. You could take all of my worldly possessions away, as long as I had him, I would be happy living in a cardboard box eating Ramen every day. I had alway heard that this kind of love existed, I just never really believed it could happen to me.
Lindy is DEAD SET on surprising me when he finally does ask me to marry him. I have a feeling that I will be onto it, but we will see. He tells me every night that he is the luckiest guy in the universe. As much as I love him, he still says he loves me more. I cannot even fathom how that is possible, but I am STARTING to see that he just might love me as much as I love him. I have never been in such a loving, kind, tender, and accepting relationship in my life. I call him my "prince" and he treats me like his "princess".
A few days later we went to our friend, Lisa's, house for dinner. Lisa is an incredible cook and she had her 3 kids there. Her kids decided to play Sorry! for a bit. Lindy grabbed Cadance and sat down and played with them. I sat on the couch, holding back tears, and thinking to myself, "Wow, this is an incredible man and he loves me!"
Lisa is single and is looking for someone special right now. Her comment to me was "I am not looking for just a man, I am looking for a Lindy. He is incredible." How true that is, and how lucky I am to have found him!
I thank God every day for the things He has given me. A beautiful daughter, an incredible relationship with a wonderful man, a wonderful family, selfless and loving friends, good health, and a happy home. The ring IS beautiful, but the gifts God has given me are truly the pretty things in life.
It is happening...or well, it will be, soon enough. Lindy took me to look at engagement rings on Monday evening!!!
We had a blast! After seeing a handful of rings that I dubbed "not quite right", you know, Libby has one that looks like that, Sharon's looked like that, that one looks too much like my previous wedding ring, etc, I had finally explained enough to the woman helping us (Heidi) what I was looking for.
Lindy pulled up a picture of a ring from the website of the store we were at. Heidi got all excited and pulled out a few that resembled it. I (thought I had) fell in love with the first one. It was a bridal set and it was beautiful. I wasn't crazy about how some of the stones were set, but it was good enough. Lindy showed her the picture of the one I REALLY loved and she came out with that one. I, then, fell truly in love. It was beautiful, within our (well, his) price range, and it was perfect!!
I emailed the picture of a ring to a few of my friends the next day. Jess responded back with "Oh, it is SO beautiful! It's perfect!" It was then that it hit me that I actually get to WEAR and HAVE this ring!!! But, it is not about the ring to me. Lindy really wanted to "do it right" and get me a ring that really represents our love. What really matters to me is him. I am home when I am with him. You could take all of my worldly possessions away, as long as I had him, I would be happy living in a cardboard box eating Ramen every day. I had alway heard that this kind of love existed, I just never really believed it could happen to me.
Lindy is DEAD SET on surprising me when he finally does ask me to marry him. I have a feeling that I will be onto it, but we will see. He tells me every night that he is the luckiest guy in the universe. As much as I love him, he still says he loves me more. I cannot even fathom how that is possible, but I am STARTING to see that he just might love me as much as I love him. I have never been in such a loving, kind, tender, and accepting relationship in my life. I call him my "prince" and he treats me like his "princess".
A few days later we went to our friend, Lisa's, house for dinner. Lisa is an incredible cook and she had her 3 kids there. Her kids decided to play Sorry! for a bit. Lindy grabbed Cadance and sat down and played with them. I sat on the couch, holding back tears, and thinking to myself, "Wow, this is an incredible man and he loves me!"
Lisa is single and is looking for someone special right now. Her comment to me was "I am not looking for just a man, I am looking for a Lindy. He is incredible." How true that is, and how lucky I am to have found him!
I thank God every day for the things He has given me. A beautiful daughter, an incredible relationship with a wonderful man, a wonderful family, selfless and loving friends, good health, and a happy home. The ring IS beautiful, but the gifts God has given me are truly the pretty things in life.
Welcome!
May 7, 2010
The NyJoLu Family consists of much love.
#1 is the wonder that is Cadance. Almost 5 1/2, wise beyond her years, and precocious enough to to make even the grumpiest of old men smile, she continues to enrich our lives with her honesty, creativity, and shyness.
#2 is the conundrum that is Karin. She is an uncommon ENFJ and has a very rare fingerprint type. She has different colored eyes. She always walks to the beat of her own drum. Her favorite number is 6 1/2. She surrounds herself with people who stimulate her mind and make her think outside the box. She is OBNOXIOUSLY optimistic. The only word that could describe her is "unique". (Excerpt copied from her just as cool Facebook page!)
#3 is the inspiration that is Lindy. Born years for before the rest of them (ha!), his quiet confidence, kind smile, generous heart, and patience were easy for Karin to fall in love with. His awe-inducing-ness starts with how he handles his jam-packed life: a full-time job, a long commute, and maintaining a 4.0 in his full-time college classes. And he still somehow manages to have time to nurture the precious love that was unknowingly seeded so long ago. That love has sprouted into something they never thought possible - A true fairy tale.
Having spent just over a year together so far, this NyJoLu family has gelled and meshed into a big pile of laughter, honesty, vulnerability, and a tenderness that cannot even be put into words.
Welcome to our lives.
The NyJoLu Family consists of much love.
#1 is the wonder that is Cadance. Almost 5 1/2, wise beyond her years, and precocious enough to to make even the grumpiest of old men smile, she continues to enrich our lives with her honesty, creativity, and shyness.
#2 is the conundrum that is Karin. She is an uncommon ENFJ and has a very rare fingerprint type. She has different colored eyes. She always walks to the beat of her own drum. Her favorite number is 6 1/2. She surrounds herself with people who stimulate her mind and make her think outside the box. She is OBNOXIOUSLY optimistic. The only word that could describe her is "unique". (Excerpt copied from her just as cool Facebook page!)
#3 is the inspiration that is Lindy. Born years for before the rest of them (ha!), his quiet confidence, kind smile, generous heart, and patience were easy for Karin to fall in love with. His awe-inducing-ness starts with how he handles his jam-packed life: a full-time job, a long commute, and maintaining a 4.0 in his full-time college classes. And he still somehow manages to have time to nurture the precious love that was unknowingly seeded so long ago. That love has sprouted into something they never thought possible - A true fairy tale.
Having spent just over a year together so far, this NyJoLu family has gelled and meshed into a big pile of laughter, honesty, vulnerability, and a tenderness that cannot even be put into words.
Welcome to our lives.
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