This is my man-child, Alex, with his lovely girl Mallary. Alex and Mallary have been together for 6-plus years and have morphed into the couple we love and call Malex. Alex is abroad in Lithuania on an internship with the State Dept. and Mallary is studing abroad in Praugue.  On a weekend trip to Warsaw, Alex asked Mallary to marry him.  WE ARE THRILLED!!!  They are a truly amazing couple that exemplifies what love means. They are always solid, they are devoted, loyal and just flat out in love. They push each other to extraordinary heights and I have no doubt that they will have a life full of love and happiness.

 

Although Mallary has two more years of school and the engagement will be a long one, it is amazing to me how fast a girl goes from being a girl friend, to being a bride.  Mal has been longing for this like all girls do, even the sensible down to earth normal wonderful girls like Mal. It is just natural to want to plan and think about your future when you are in love. Mal is starting to ask questions like when should we do our engagement photo, will there be an engagement party, etc. In truth I am getting really excited about all of this stuff also. It is all of the little milestones along the way that make the wait so bearable. Getting the ring safely to her in Europe was a major and huge accomplishment in itself!

 

I love this picture of Alex and Mal right after baby Grace was born. This picture was taken about a year ago and even in this picture you can see she is part of our family. All of the siblings adore Mal and we are so happy to have this bright and shinning light become part of our family.  Years ago it was hard to imagine Alex belonging to anyone else and yes I was not super fond of sharing him with Miss Mal. Today I am so glad that she will become a part of the family that I am willing to let go of my first baby just so that they can be so happy.

 

I know a lot of adults in relationships that do not know how to love as maturely, selflessly and truly as these two. They are a site to behold and I am so very happy for them. I know this wait to marry will be a long one for them but I am certain that they will handle this as well as they have handled the last 6 years.  It will give me and Mal's mom a little more time before we have to totally let go. No boo-hoo's I am totally happy for them. YEAH!!!

PS, Mal and I have been talking about her wedding flowers for years!