What it is really about

I am not the kind of person that is anti-Valentines day. I love to show the people I love that I love them and have no problem with having a day in the year to remind us to recognize those people. That being said I am not the kind of person that gets all jazzed up about a dozen red roses (that everyone else gets) a box of chocolates (that my hips hate) and a crowded restaurant (that would take either weeks of forethought or long lines to get into).

Last night however was everything I think Valentines day is really about. Mitch and I have been in the thick of the kitchen remodel and had just planned on taking a rain check on Valentines day to get ready for an building inspection we had the next day. When I got home however Mitch had an entire evening at home planned.

Yes we did work on our home. We hung insulation together and as not romantic as that sounds I really enjoy working on our home just the two of us. We are building our lives together both figuratively and literally.

The part of the day that really touched my heart and made me realize he is one of the kindest people I know if that Mitch planned an awesome dinner at home for the two of us and for my Mom. I never mentioned the idea of spending Valentines day with my Mom but when I walked in the door Mitch said "I would like to invite your Mom to dinner tonight, you cool with that?"

Me: "Ya for sure that would be great, what made you think of that?"

Nicest Guy Ever: "Cause I love her, you love her and no one should spend Valentine's Day alone."

Yep, my heart melted and it reaffirmed that I have picked the best partner possible to spend my life with.

This is what Valentine's day is all about building the life you want to live with the people you love.

Letter of Thanks

Dear Jody,

Thank you for raising an amazing son.

I came home tonight tonight to find him doing this...

shoveling snow off a roof....it wasn't our roof. It was the roof of the 90 year old woman who lives across the street. I have has so many moments of being totally blown away by his kindness and work ethic.

I give all credit to you, his Mom.

I believe a mother has the hardest job, teaching a child to be a good person. I am so lucky to reap the rewards of all the hard work you put in. You taught him how to be a wonderful man and today I was reminded of how lucky I am that I get to marry him.

Thank you for making my life so happy.

Love,
Rachel

You mean the World to Me

I am so blessed.

I am so happy.

I am so lucky.

I am so excited to marry him.

That's right we are getting married.

Mitch and I spent a night over Thanksgiving weekend in Bemidji visiting our friends Matt and Katie. On Sunday morning the boys snuck off to go play racquetball while Katie and I laid on the couch and looked at magazines. A few minutes after the guys left Katie got a phone call from Matt, that they had run out of gas and asked if we could bring them some. Now at this point my wonderful actress of a friend who is expecting her first precious baby, and had spent the morning complaining of pregnancy back pain, asked if I wouldn't mind going on my own to bring the guys gas. I quickly agreed and threw on my mukluks, not taking any time to brush my teeth or my hair or even changing out of my pajamas and was out the door to go and save the day.

When I got to the parking lot where Mitch and Matt "ran out of gas" I pulled up to the truck and rolled down my window to discover that Matt was alone with Mitch no where in sight. As I started teasing Matt about running out of gas he handed me a card and said "This is from Mitch, I gotta go" and hopped in his truck and drove away.

At this point I am thoroughly confused, I opened the card and read the sweetest thing I had ever read. "...I want nothing more than to make you happy and spend the rest of my life with you! However, before we get there, I want to take a brief moment to recap our Love Story! Meet me at home plate where we first met."

At this point my heart was racing and I couldn't get to home plate fast enough. When I pulled into the softball field I was surprised and a little disappointed to find Katie at home plate, and not Mitch. Katie quickly handed me another card and was on her way.

Card number two was equally as heart felt and turned my knees to mush. I am a words girl, write me a note and I am yours. The second clue told me to head to the place where we first kissed. As I pulled up to my college house where I haven't lived in over 3 years, I was again expecting Mitch, but found Matt once more who handed me yet another card to send me on to my next destination.

At this point I have run 19 stop signs and am driving 86 miles per hour around Bemidji trying to find Mitch. My third stop brought me to the spot where Mitch first introduced me to his best friend Adam. The card read "...it meant so much to introduce my best friend to my new best friend, the love of my life, You!"

I again got to the location and once again didn't find my boyfriend but found Katie. At this point I am giggling and loving this fun game. Katie hands me a card and sends me on my way.

This time the card directs me to Diamond Point Park that sits along Lake Bemidji. At this point in the game I was looking for either Matt or Katie, but as I pulled into Diamond Point Park I was really confused when I couldn't find either of them. So I got out and started looking for someone.

As I got out of the car I noticed Mitch step out from behind a building and start to walk towards me. I couldn't contain myself and ran towards him and threw my arms around him. As I let go he dropped to one knee and asked me if I would make him the happiest man in the world and marry him!

I am so blessed.

I am so happy.

I am so lucky.

I am so excited to marry him.