i can't believe it's been a year.

exactly one year ago today, joe and i were visiting drew&tim in snowmass, co. the vacation was a last minute idea - to get away from the dreary michigan weather and enjoy time with close friends. the second day we were in snowmass, we woke up to a bluebird [bright blue - no clouds in the sky] day. joe was in an unusual happy&excited mood. while i was getting bundled up for a day on the moutain, i could hear the boys laughing in the kitchen. a statement joe made stood out questionable in my mind: "she will never do it." walking into the kitchen i was approached by the three of them, explaining the proposed plan for the afternoon. we were going to hike up the side of the mountain called "longshot" and overlook the maroon bells... my immediate reaction was "absolutely not." the word hike was standing out in my mind - i'm more of a safe, bunny-hill-type, skiier. after much persuasion by tim, saying "it is super easy and the most photographed mountain view in the usa," i decided to give it a go.

after a steep ten minute hike, we reached the top. the jaw-dropping beauty of the maroon bells helped me forget how tachycardic and diaphoretic i was. the three boys walked out towards the cliff; i happily stayed back, capturing the view with my camera. joe was motioning me out onto the cliff with a shit-eating grin on his face. i shook my head absolutely, definitely, NO. this acrophobic lady wasn't walkin' out onto no cliff. more persuading was done by drew&tim, using phrases like "you will regret it if you don't see it from this view" and "it's even better out here." huffing&puffing, i walked towards joe, watching my every step, hoping i didn't fall off the cliff. when i reached joe, he grabbed my face and began to say the most memorable words i will always&forever remember...

rebecca, you make me so happy. i would be even happier if i could be your husband. i want to spend every second of the rest of my life with you. will you marry me?

YES!

so here is to us, the palmer-to-be's; may the rest of the wedding planning go as smoothly as it has thus far & that our marriage begins just as happily as our engagement did! i love you joseph. thank you for making my life complete.