2004 - the Year of Calvin

We decided when we got engaged that we would plan our wedding for the summer of 2005, so that meant a 2-year engagement - plenty of time for planning, and a lull in the major life events. 

This is how I remember the conversation going:

me: "you know, Garett - in 2002, I moved to Virginia, last year we got engaged and next year we'll be getting married.  What's happening this year?"

Garett: "let's get a dog!"

Calvin on day one.  and he's been my best friend ever since.

"shhh. its nap time"  Garett took this picture while the two of us were sound asleep.

Calvin and I successfully graduated from puppy training at the local PetSmart.  I'm still convinced puppy training is more about training the human than training the dog.  Calvin has been the best except that he loves to run - so there's always a panic when you find the front door or the fence gate open...

2003 - Engaged!

2003 was a fabulous year. Garett took me to the Pilalas Lighthouse in Noank, Connecticut for the Fourth of July.  Much to my surprise (how did I not see it coming!?) he proposed under the fireworks and I accepted!

He used the ring his mother had given him, which comes from her mother (circa 1910).  It fit perfectly, which was amazing, because I wear an unusually large ring size! I guess it was just meant to be.  Turns out Garett had that ring for quite a while before giving it to me! 

 Back in Richmond, Garett helped me buy my first car - the blue Subaru, since I had moved out the hood and could no longer walk to work in Richmond down Broad Street.  I'd still have it if only I had opted for the wagon instead of the sedan.  But back then there were no dogs or babies!

2002 - Montana to Virginia via Hawaii

In 2002, I graduated from Montana State University.  Garett flew out to be at graduation and spend Mothers Day brunch with my family at the Gallatin Gateway Inn.

 After graduation, I went to Kauai with the Williams family, thanks to the Pilalas annual trip to the Johnson House.  It is an absolutely beautiful location and I plan to go back again someday!

After returning from the trip, I drove with Sean Goodrick in a U-Haul across the country to land in Washington, DC.  I spent the summer there looking for jobs before finally moving down to Richmond to start with a national Architectural firm, HKS.  Garett started Med School at the Medical College of Virginia and we enjoyed being close enough to DC to visit Garett's sister, Michaeleen.

Ten Years and Counting: 2001

I figure I have 10 weeks before the baby arrives to tell the story of the Williams Project in last ten years.  Garett and I started dating in 1997, but for the past 10 years, we have experienced some pretty major life moments together.  In each of the following posts, I'll gather a few photos from each year.  Have fun learning a little about us and enjoy.

Ten years ago, Garett and I realized that our relationship was for real.  I was in Europe on 9/11, and Garett was living in Washington, DC.  We spoke to each other moments after the towers fell and by December, I was ready to head home days early to see my love as soon as possible.

Europe was a school trip - best spent money ever.  From September to December, I traveled with other architecture students from MSU (including my very good friend, Kerry Bennett!) from Denmark to Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic and the Netherlands.  England, France, Germany and Switzerland.  Italy, Spain (my favorite) and ending in Portugal.

Garett moved to DC to serve an internship for Senator Max Baucus (MT) while also working at Walter Reed and applying for Med school.  December 2001 was my first trip to DC.  Who knew I would be moving there just 6 months later!

 

The Baby Bump and the Nursery

The baby is moving quite a bit now and a certain life-long friend of mine wants to see a photo of my baby bump. And so the blogging begins:


baby bump
27 weeks

Although the nursery only has a chair so far (I had a rocker added to the bottom of one of our leather chairs), the colors in the nursery turned out exactly the way I imagined it. A BIG thank you to Garett for spending several weekends painting to perfection. We also had a closet added to the nursery, which used to be our office.