Congratulations!

YAYYY!! I can finally talk about one of my best friends engagements!!

I have been having to swallow this huge (that's what she said) secret since the summer bash in winter party at Laura's house. At their party, Joel pulled me aside and told me about his plans to propose on their vacation to Key West, FL next month. Of course I was super excited and I seriously couldn't be happier for them.

Laura is one of my best friends from high school. We had many fun memories from high school and even traveled to France with one of our other best friends, Hilary, the summer after high school graduation. She went to college at the University of Illinois and earned her masters in accounting, which is where I attended graduate school as well, so we enjoyed a few fun times in Champaign as well :) Laura was also one of my lovely bridesmaids who stood besides me as I vowed to honor & love my husband for life. :)

Want to know something super cute?

They're both accountants at the same company. How stinkin' cute is that?

They met at work when they began working there a couple years ago and became good friends. The cool thing is, they really were just friends at first. I love when people fall in love after they have a solid foundation of friendship, that's just so romantic to me. Anyways- they somehow began dating and after an awkward teeth smashing kiss, became official. They are so cute together & again, Ryan and I are truly happy for them! Congratulations you little lovebirds!!!

Before Laura & Joel left to go to Key West, I got ahold of Joel and asked for his key to Laura's house. I told him that I wanted to surprise her by decorating her house after he proposed. He got really excited when I told him about it, it was really sweet. You can just tell by the way he talks/acts/and looks at Laura how much he loves her. Anyways, I decorated her house! Here's a few pictures I snapped:

Me before exiting the scene:

"I do.. Me Too!"

I was super excited to do the streamers on the fan. My hope was to have her turn the fan on and have her and Joel get covered in streamers, but her being the smart person that she is, didn't turn the fan on to avoid a mess. Oh well, I guess it's the thought that counts. ;)
Bling Bling, she got the ring!!!

"Mint" to Be.

Rubber love duckies.
And of course, balloons. What kind of celebration would it be without balloons?
This was so much fun! I LOVE doing stuff like this--- surprising people and making people happy & it doesn't help that I love her, right? :)

Anyways, congratulations to a beautiful couple!!!!