...and so it begins: Commentary by Jennifer Wray

Brandie has been asking me to write something for the Tiny e website but I have had a bit of writers block. I have been searching for my inspiration and passion in order to write a piece that would live up to Brandie and Jake's witty writing style. I really want to make a valuable contribution to the Tiny e site. Now, I think I've got it!!!

Let me introduce myself first--- I swear I really do know Brandie and Jake and am not just some random person surfing the net looking for places to post my story!

Brandie and I met our freshman year of college at Idaho State University. We got along so well that she ended up moving into my dorm room after my previous roommate moved out. So, that is how we first met and we have kept in-touch ever since. I still live in Idaho and work at Boise State University. My job is to work with students on finding the career that fits their interests, skills, and values. "What would you really like to do?" Yes, I am that person at the university.

I could go on all day about my career, because believe me I have some hilarious stories about the students I meet! I would rather tell you that I got engaged last week and am planning on getting married this summer!!

My boyfriend (Kelly), my sister, her husband, Kelly's friend and his wife, and I all went on a cruise to Mexico March 13-20 and on the ship is where he proposed. I am still getting over the fact that almost everyone knew but me. I had absolutely no idea, I was extremely surprised and even more surprised when he pulled out a ring. On the ship there are two formal nights where you dress in your best formal wear and have dinner. They take all these cheesy highschool dance pictures and make you feel like your at the prom all over again. Before dinner Kelly and I met my sister and husband and his friend and wife at the Viking Crown Lounge. The Viking Crown was located on the top of the ship (floor 10) and had huge windows that over looked the ocean. We sat and had drinks, chatted, and stared out the window at the ocean. Or I guess I should say I sat and chatted, had drinks and stared out the window at the ocean. Everyone else knew what was about to happen and was probably thinking more about the upcoming proposal than my lively conversation. My sister made a toast and asked if anyone else had something to say. That is when Kelly sprang into action! He said he had something to say to me and pulled out a poem he had written and began reading it to me. I don't think that there are very many moments in life where you can actually pinpoint when your life changed. When he started reading the poem I had that moment, I knew my entire life was about to change. The rest is actually a blur of emotions.

I love Kelly so much and am so excited to be with him forever! He is my everything and I can't wait to marry him and start our family and go through life together.
Through this entire story I have refrained from adding song lyrics. I can no longer hold myself back--I think in song lyrics.

"If I could save time in a bottle, The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day till eternity passes away, Just to spend them with you"
You gotta love Jim Croce!!