As my post below denotes, we recently had our -1 year anniversary. To commemorate the evening Ryan and I planned to go to dinner and then over to Austin & Shawna's to watch UFC. I know what you're thinking - how come they've never thought to make a dream date like that on the Bachelor? I don't know either guys- maybe next season.
Further evidencing that years of reading Encyclopedia Brown and watching Law & Order: SVU have taught me nothing about cracking surprises - instead of that happening my incredible friends and family threw us a surprise -1 year anniversary party.
The consumate pain in the butt when it comes to others trying to do nice things for me, I told Ryan I was not going to UFC and that I would be going to the lake to hang out with my Grandpa. I explained that UFC happens several times a year and my Grandpa usually only visits once. Solid logic. Ryan dropped it for 5 minutes and then said, "how about I take you to dinner?" Clearly he had not understood my bulletproof explanation before. I reiterated the logic. I should have thought this was weird but somehow did not. Hey, I'm fun to take to dinner- what can I say?
This unleashed a week long barrage of emails from the girls about how excited they were about UFC (which we all know means playing board games while the boys watch UFC). I still wasn't biting. Then, once again, people asked my poor mother (who is THE WORLD'S WORST LIAR) to make up a story about why I couldn't come to the lake. At least this time it had nothing to do with taxes. Realizing I was not welcome at the lake on Friday I decided UFC would have to do. Somehow, once again, I'm not putting everything together.
Ryan and I went to dinner at a nice place close by where he proceeded to text THE. ENTIRE. TIME. And not like the multi-tasking type of texting where you can carry on a conversation. The kind where you look up 5 minutes later and say "what?" with a bewildered look on your face. Anyone watching us at dinner must have thought we were on the world's worst first date. He also kept rushing our waitress and made us scarf down food. You would have thought this might also have tipped me off - instead I just thought he and Austin must be betting on UFC. Moral of the story: if you get your girlfriend used to you not really listening and placing extreme emphasis on sporting events - it pays off in the event of surprises.
We get to Austin and Shawna's, open the door and are greeted with a room-full of our closest friends, my siblings, oh and of course a life size cardboard cut out of ourselves:
Yeah, I was slightly surprised
Jen, Shawna and Julie put together the most awesome -1 year annivesary party you could ever imagine. Everything was decorated beautifully, there was wonderful food and a ton of the loves of my life (including Chick Fil A). They even coordinated 2 of my bridesmaids driving in from Austin and Dallas. (Thank you Chelsea and Melissa)
We all enjoyed a night full of looking at Austin's latest EBay purchases, keg stands, Michael Jackson dances, flip cup and deep, meaningful conversations. I sincerely could not be more blessed than I am. I have such fun-loving and thoughtful people in my life. Thank you so very much to everyone who came and for all the effort and hardwork that went into this. I am so much luckier than I deserve to be. :c)
Dear Shawna, Thank you for photoshopping a dress on me. I would not have been upset if you had photoshopped Ryan's pants up higher also.
Caitlin, Shawna & Jen
Melissa & Blake drove all the way from Dallas to take pictures like this.
Noah, you shouldn't be up so late.
Jen, Julie, Melissa, Erin, Melanie & Chelsea
Austin, JT, Ryan & Taylor
Not the first time one of the two of you has been caught in this position
Jenn, Taylor & Noah
Jonathan, Thomas, JK & Jamie
Typical
Facebook official!
I really don't know.
Melissa, Me & Jen
Jules & Matt
Brianna, Dena, Jenn & Caitlin
Flip cup ingredients. (Yes, that's a laddle)
Melanie & Baby McClain make excellent refs.
Channeling MJ
Girls win.
Laddles and gloves are shocking.
Thank you so much, everyone.
That's a wrap.
