From My Old Kentucky Home

I am in Kentucky for work this week but thankfully that means I also get to see my family this week too! When I booked my trip on Southwest they asked me if this trip was "for business or pleasure?" and I happily said "BOTH!" :)

My trip so far has included a great day tailgating for the Bama/UK football game. Even though we lost, I still can take away a few victories: 

1. We were tied 0-0 at the end of the 1st Quarter. Improvement. 

2. I got to tailgate with great friends and my younger brother, Doug. 

3. I got to wear my new boots! 

I also got to catch up with everyone at work. It is nice being able to work remotely but nothing beats seeing everyone and having face-to-face meetings. Plus, I work with a pretty amazing group of people so my week was full of laughs! 

I am staying in Louisville this week and commuting to Lexington each day for work. While 3 hours in a car each day isn't fun, I do like to "jam" on my commutes. Something you don't do when you work at home! So I got my fill in this week and officially have a new favorite song:

Keith Urban & Miranda Lambert - We Were Us

Going to spend the rest of the weekend with my family, friends and these cuties: 

(Bingo had a tiny health scare so his poor little legs are shaved. We think putting him in a Steelers hat made him feel so much better! And Lacey wouldn't be Lacey if she wasn't playing in an empty box!)

Enjoy the weekend everyone! 

Guest Blogging for Miss Kali

I am guest blogging today for my dear friend Kali on her blog, Kaliwood.

You should DEFINITELY go check out my post as I talk about my "Modern Day Romance" and long distance/unconventional relationships. (Spoiler: You may just see some pictures of the first day Matt and I met at College GameDay - nothing like a good throwback!)

Plus, you should read Kali's blog. We were suite mates freshman year of college and the girl is hysterical and entertaining and her blog doesn't disappoint. 

Looking forward to seeing Kali next week! I am already thinking about our lunch at local taco... YUM. :)

Let The Celebrations Continue!

Last night we had a wonderful engagement dinner with Matt's family (my future family!) and a few of our Florida friends. 

We spent the evening at one of our favorite restaurants, Cooper's Hawk. It is seriously delicious and I want to order like 10 different things every time I go. (Check out their website if one is near you, go now. You'll thank me later. lol)

I desperately need to invest in a camera, especially now that we are starting the wedding process. I want to be able to capture all these precious moments for us. However, for now, the old trusty iPhone will have to do and this is the only picture I took last night:

I leave this Friday to head back to Kentucky (woohoo!). A great perk about working remotely and having your office headquartered in Kentucky is that every now and then you get to go BACK to Kentucky for work and also see family and friends.

I am SO looking forward to celebrating with my family and friends, just wish Matt could make the trip with me! 

ENGAGED. It's a great feeling.

Yup, that's right. Matt and I are engaged!! 

Do not ask me why it feels different than dating but somehow it does. While I know nothing has technically changed, being asked by the man you love to marry you... to be his WIFE... is incredible. I get so excited just thinking about spending every day with Matt. 

So before I go into the story of how it all happened, I will preface this post by saying my blog today is more lovey-dovey than normal and it is MUCH longer than normal. However, I am in one of those "I am so happy I could cry and laugh at the same time" moods and I plan to share all the cute details about our engagement. 

You have been warned. :)

I will start by taking you all back to last Friday, September 27th. As some of you know, I had a work trip in San Francisco last week and was traveling back on Friday. I got up at 3 a.m. PT to catch my EARLY flight. Some of you may be thinking, "Dana, that's 6 a.m. ET so that's not too bad!" but it is bad when you are known for being a MORNING MONSTER.

I give you the details of my lack of sleep so that you are well aware that I was tired... dead tired by the time I got back to Florida that evening. Matt had to work an event for Rotary so his friend, Chad, came to pick me up at the airport. (Thanks, Chad-O!) At this point, I was still holding it together. After I met up with Matt, we didn't have a lot of time until we had to head back to the airport to pick up his family (they were also in SF last week!). However, I was starving so I asked Matt to eat dinner before we picked them up. Unfortunately, we didn't have that much time before their plane arrived so Matt said we would probably have to grab dinner at the airport. 

Now, normally that would be fine. BUT I had just spent the entire day traveling, in and out of airports and this girl did NOT want to go back to an airport to eat. I wish I could say I handled it better, I did not. There were definitely tears involved. However, I sucked it up and decided food was necessary and I didn't care where it came from. 

By the time we got to the airport the tears were dried up but I was still very tired. At dinner, Matt started talking about getting married which normally makes me so giddy and excited. However, that night I was a little more short tempered than usual.

Matt: "I can't wait to marry you someday." 

Dana: "If you REALLY wanted to marry me you would have asked my Dad when he was here over Labor Day and not chickened out. You don't want to marry me."

Matt: "You're right, I should have asked. Do you think I can FaceTime your Dad and ask?"

Dana: "Absolutely not! I can't believe you just didn't ask him in person and now you're not going to see him until November. Great."

That ended that conversation pretty quickly. See up to this weekend, I was convinced he wouldn't propose anytime soon because I thought he hadn't asked my Dad. I was VERY wrong but at the time, I didn't know! 

Saturday, September 28th - THE DAY.

Matt and I talked about spending the afternoon together because we hadn't had that much time to hang out recently. However, I told him I was NOT setting an alarm so whenever I got up, I got up. (Kadi, I took a page out of your book! LOL)  It was about 10 that morning and Matt came in and asked me if I was ready to wake up, I said "Just a few more minutes." He came back about 30 minutes later and convinced me to get up so we had the afternoon together. 

He was talking about what we could do: go eat at their dock, go play golf or go grab lunch and take it to the Orange Groves. I suggested we just pick up sandwiches and go to the groves because we do that a lot and it was just beautiful outside. (Now that he has proposed, I'm not sure what would have happened if I had said "let's golf"... guess I'll never know!)

When I was about to get ready Matt asked: "Do you want to shower?". I said, "Not really, we're just going to the groves." He responded, "Just shower, you'll feel better, you were in an airport all day yesterday." So I finally showered and put on gym shorts and a running tank top. He kindly said, "We have enough time if you want to dry your hair." and my tired self said, "No, it's hot and I don't want to fix my hair today." I can only imagine Matt just thinking, "Dana, I am about to propose to you. Go march up to your room, fix your hair, put on some makeup... pull yourself together!" But I was stubborn and again, VERY TIRED. lol

We left about 11 to go grab sandwiches and to drive to the Moody Lake grove. We have gone here several times to ride around, walk between the trees and eat so up to this point, nothing was unusual. It was just beautiful outside, sunny and I was so happy to just spend time with Matt. 

When we got to the groves, we rolled down the windows and Matt started driving down towards the bottom of the groves near the lake. Well I could tell it was getting muddier (it must have rained  A LOT when I was away) and we almost got stuck but Matt threw it in 4WD and plowed on threw. I said "Were you worried about getting stuck back there?" and he said "A little." Of course he tells me after the fact! 

Well it was just a minute later when we were driving down a row of trees that I slammed into the dashboard as our truck fell into a washout. I could tell this time we were stuck BAD. Matt tried to get out but his tires were just spinning and mud was flying everywhere. Thankfully, Matt saw someone driving a tractor on the way down so he called up a worker and they were able to come down, get some straps to hook up to Matt's hitch and tow us out. We are VERY lucky that someone was there with a tractor because I don't think another truck would have been able to get us out of this hole we were in. No lie, his front left wheel looked like it had completely disappeared. 

While we were waiting for them to tow us out, Matt and I jumped in the back of the (now slanted) truck to eat and to hang out. Matt kept saying, "I'm sorry I ruined our lunch" and I was just responding, "you didn't ruin it at all! It's beautiful out, we are still eating in the groves and spending time together." Now I know he had BIGGER plans than lunch. :) 

Once we were towed to safety and we made it back up to the top of the groves I was ready to head home. I just kept telling Matt, "I don't want to get stuck again and have to call Nat to come tow us out another time!" but Matt was persistent and patient. (Very good qualities for my future husband!) 

He found a spot at the top of the hill so we could look down over the groves and the lake. It truly was the perfect spot. It was still hot outside but not unbearable and there was a nice breeze blowing in the groves. We just love sitting/talking in the groves... it is our spot. (For those that don't know, we have had plans for about a year to name our puppy GROVER because the groves are "our place".) 

After talking about all sorts of stuff, Matt looked at me and said: "I can't believe 6 years ago we met at the Kentucky vs. Florida football game and now look at us, sitting in an orange grove, in love and happy as ever." 

I still had NO idea what was going on and oblivious I answered, "I know it is crazy. Who would have thought when I stood next to you at Game Day I would eventually be living in Dade City?!?" 

Matt said, "I can't wait to marry you."

I am not proud of this but I responded the SAME way as I did the night before, "Yea, yea, yea, if you really wanted to marry me you would have asked my Dad."

Matt said, "What if I have?"

I said, "I know you haven't."

Matt said, "Dana, I have and I'll prove it."
(Typical Matt and typically attorney - has to prove everything!)

He then proceeded to open up his sunglasses case and at this point I thought he was joking. (In my defense, Matt is known to joke around from time to time!) However, he was very serious and inside that little black sunglasses case was a beautiful, shiny diamond ring. 

Matt picked it up, took my hand, got down on one knee and said some sweet things that ended in,
"Dana Deptola, will you marry me?". 

I was in disbelief and said "Are you serious?" probably 10 times but it didn't take me too long to say:
"Yes, of course, yes!". 

We then kissed, hugged and laughed a lot. Pure joy. 

A couple minutes passed, I was just so amazed Matt proposed and that he was able to surprise me with it too!

We were able to flag down Nat again in the tractor to take our very first picture as an engaged couple! I am so thankful that the proposal was just with us but I am still glad we were able to get a picture with us in the groves. 

It was after Nat took our picture and we were by ourselves again that I just started to cry. I think I was in shock at first but after it had settled in, I was overwhelmed with emotions and the tears just came! This time, very HAPPY tears! 

We did spend the rest of the afternoon calling our dear family and friends but later that night we were able to watch the Kentucky vs. Florida game with his family as an engaged couple! 

I can't believe 6 years ago we watched the game as strangers and here we are, getting married! 

Kristie and Kristen were very sweet to surprise us with some celebratory decorations:

And the celebrations haven't stopped. We have been overwhelmed with all the love and support we have received and look forward to planning our wedding and starting our lives together as HUSBAND and WIFE. 

So that's it, the LONG engagement story (sorry folks!) Can't wait to keep you all updated with our wedding plans! 

But for now, the future Mrs. Matt Maggard is signing off :)

A Taste of Fall for the New Florida Girl

If you know me, you know I love fall and nothing beats fall in Kentucky. The leaves begin to change, you get perfect 70 degree weather and it is the season for boots and sweaters without having to bundle up too much. PERFECTION. 

Since it is still in the 90's here and "fall" in Florida won't come for a couple more months, I am REALLY looking forward to my work trip to San Francisco. I leave Saturday for a week and I get to break out my sweaters and scarves for this trip. I may be over packing but I want to get to wear all my "fall" outfits in just one short week. Nothing wrong with a few "wardrobe changes".

Just take a look at this amazing fall weather I will be experiencing next week:

I have LOTS of sweaters and scarves to get my through the colder months but my boots have seen better days. Trust me, some of those bad boys had to retire when I was cleaning out my closet for my move. So, to kick off my favorite season, I ordered these beauties and they arrived TODAY - just in time to make the trip out west with me! 

No judgement, I am wearing them now at my desk just to "break them in" but don't worry, I will make sure I get a picture of them next week when I'm in San Francisco. :) 

While I am traveling for work, this is one conference where work and fun go hand in hand: I will be seeing Maroon 5 in concert AND going on a night tour of Alcatraz. This girl is SO excited! As an added bonus Matt's parents, brother and sister-in-law will be in San Fran the same week so I will get to grab dinner one night with some of my favorite people! 

It is going to be quite the week, just wish Matt could go with me! I am going to get him to tag along on a work trip one of these days. 

I Heart Hondas

First off, let me apologize for my blogging hiatus. I have no excuse other than I promise we have been busy. Matt always says he is "on the go" and now that I am in Florida I think I have adopted his schedule! :) 

We have been spending lots of time with family and friends, watching some football, having awesome game nights, going to Run Club and then every now and then I do a little thing called work. Kidding, I promise I do work. A LOT. In fact, I think when you work form home you are more tempted to work at all hours of the day. Matt will get home and I'll often say "just let me finish this one thing" and then spend another hour at my desk.

Long story short, we have been busy but a very good busy. 

When I moved down to Florida almost a month ago I left behind something very special to me... my first car! She was a beauty and got me through high school, college, road trips and even started me off in the professional world. It was a great 10 years in the old civic but I knew she was getting old and taking her on a 14 hour drive to Florida didn't seem like the best idea. Instead, I decided to sell her in Kentucky and buy a new car after I moved. 

It didn't take Matt and I long to find a car that we loved. With Matt's BIG truck we both knew we needed one car that had good gas mileage and we were debating between the Volkswagen Passat and the Honda Accord. Both great cars that are well built and hold their value. I'll be honest, I thought I would have walked away with the Passat but after we both drove the new Accord we fell in love. I was just going to make a slight upgrade from the Civic to the Accord.

After deciding on the car, we got to work trying to get the best deal. Now I think we had perfect timing buying a car - end of the month - end of the model year - but we also were excellent negotiators. We called MANY Honda dealers and were getting quotes from all of them. It wasn't pretty, involved several headaches but we did it! We got an offer that was so good, 2 other Honda dealers told us that if we could buy it at that price we should go do it. 

On our way to pick up my new car I was feeling anxious, excited and nervous all at the same time. I told Matt "I feel like I am on my way to adopt a baby" to which he just rolled his eyes but hey, that's how I felt. ;) 

We spent several hours at the dealership and at least one of those hours consisted of us saying "No, I don't want the extra extended super protected warranty". I was very proud of us for not falling for their "traps". It was the first time buying a car for both of us and I think we did an exceptional job. 

So, without further ado, I introduce to you my brand new car! 

I'm a mighty proud momma car owner. ;)

"Meet The Parents" Weekend

We had quite the weekend here in Florida. My parents and younger brother, Doug, came down to meet Matt's family and... we all survived!

Actually, I could not have asked for a better weekend and feel so very blessed that we have two loving families supporting us. 

My family flew down on Friday and I think we kept them busy until the moment I dropped them back off at the airport. We had LOTS to do in 3 days.

We had a big family gathering Friday evening and it was so nice for my family to meet Matt's extended family. Now they have some faces to match with names! AND now they have a few good childhood stories of Matt to pull out at appropriate times. :)

On Saturday the guys and girls split. The girls did what we do best... shop. We drove to a cute little store called The Barn that has everything and anything! I think we all had a successful trip and walked away with lots of goodies: clothes, house decor, garden items, etc.  The guys did... well guy things. Matt showed them around some orange groves, shot some guns and watched some football. I think they were happy campers! 

We spent the rest of the weekend at the beach. Went fishing, went to the sand bar, got some great sun and had a wonderful dinner with our families. I even ate seafood... I'm working my way towards becoming a true Floridian now.

On the last night the Deptola's and Matt ended the weekend with a competitive game of putt-putt and some snoballs. Yes, snoballs. The much cooler version of snow cones. They were awfully good and left me contemplating opening up my own snow cone shop on the beach. Maybe that's how I'll retire???

All in all, it was a truly great weekend and the first of many visits between the two families.