HaselBride

Busy, busy, busy.

This past week was a big one at the HaselBride household. I broke my promise to post – I am so sorry. Things were crazy busy and we had visitors. I thought I would have some downtime, but I was dead wrong. Either way, I am back full force with some major wedding decisions at hand.

Just wanted to fill you all in on the latest news with us and why I was so crazy busy. It was a huge week for Nick {and I}. Wednesday marked the end of the second phase of pilot training. The squadron hosted a red carpet day for families complete with tours of the flight rooms, base and simulators leading up to an evening ceremony. Of course, Nick's mom and step-father were here to join in the fun. The ceremony where the student pilots learn what plane they will be flying during phase three.

The four tracks/planes are T-38s {fighter/bomber trainer}, T-1s {cargo/heavies}, T-44s {cargo, trains in Texas with Navy} and helicopters {trains in Alabama with Army}. Each student ranks those from 1-4 and based on their performance, grades, and needs of the Air Force are give a slot in either plane. Confused yet? I know I was! Now I am practically an expert. Ha.

Nick and I in front of the T-6, the plane he's been training on since we moved here.

Nick's big dream has always been to be a pilot, specifically a fighter pilot. So we were absolutely ELATED when he was chosen for a T-38 spot along with two other pilots in his class. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments this year.

I know I don't usually post about things that aren't related to our wedding, but this is a huge step in the rest of lives, plus I wanted you all to know why I haven't been around lately.

Planning updates coming soon!

A Little About Us: Our Engagement Story

Nick and I had been planning for a few months for me to move with him after our graduation from Purdue to Mississippi while he attended pilot training for the Air Force. We knew if I stayed in Indiana, our relationship would suffer. Pilot training will probably be the most intense time of his entire career. Phone calls would be few and far between, much less actual visits.

In September, we loaded up our cars and headed out. I had hoped he would propose before we left, but he didn't. {Turns out he had been planning to, but the day before we left was far too busy!} A few days after we arrived and moved into our temporary home in the hotel, Nick got food poisoning and had me dig through his backpack for his dvd player power cord so he could lay in bed and watch movies. While searching, I found a small mailing box with a jewelry company's name on it. I freaked out silently, but put the box right where I found it without opening it.

Turns out it was good–really good. After keeping the ring in that backpack in our shared closet for nearly a month, Nick finally proposed. The suspense was killing me, but I never once took a peek! 

When I got home one night, our house was dark and the front door was open. Nick had lit dozens of candles and put flowers everywhere. In the dining room, a video was playing on his computer. He made a slideshow of pictures of the two of us. I didn't think he knew I was in the house, so I kept yelling his name. Apparently that wasn't part of his plan. He came out from behind the hall door wearing a suit and tie. He came over to me and hugged me. His heart was pounding out his chest. Then got down on one knee and said, "I know nothing ever goes right, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you." I said yes, of course after bluntly saying, "The ring is so big!"

These photos do not do it justice. I always wanted an emerald cut solitaire, and Nick knocked this one out of the park.The ring is 1.5 carat and absolutely beautiful, no flaws at all. We looked at emerald cut diamonds a few times that year and the prices were absurd. After finding that out, I wasn't sure what Nick would choose. He didn't give up and found a jewelry store in his hometown that met his budget and my tastes!

We will purchase wedding bands together sometime soon. A post is forthcoming about the styles we like.

Besides telling Nick I preferred emerald cut diamonds, I wasn't involved with his selection of setting or actual stone. I'm curious, did you help select your engagement ring or did your fiance select the ring all on his own?

Photo © HaselBride.