We’re Engaged!

Our Family BBQ Engagement Photo

Actually, I’ve been engaged to marry Gabriel “Cowboy” Estrada, preacher with the Alhambra Church of Christ, for awhile now. We bought the ring on Tuesday, April 17, but we waited until our Saturday, May 5 family BBQ to make a formal announcement. Now I’m in the process of planning an October wedding and redecorating my fiancé’s house, and the semester still isn’t over!

1907 Howard Cabinet Grand

My first action as a newly engaged woman was to purchase a piano, since it’ll be a bit of a drive to my parents’ house. My brother-in-law, Rebecca’s husband, helped me find a 1907 Howard Cabinet Grand in fantastic condition. He’s already set to work repairing and retuning it.

Wedding Present No. 1

Of course, a number of family and friends heard about our engagement beforehand. After Gabriel and I participated in Newland Street Church of Christ’s annual “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” on April 21, our “crafty” hostess started working on my first bridal present: a “bow holder” shaped like a doll that’s to be used as a rehearsal bouquet.

Wedding Present No. 2

And last Friday, my mom (Karen) surprised me with a second present – measuring cups and spoons – after hearing me recount my near cooking disaster trying to follow Whole Food’s Peruvian-Style Roasted Chicken with Sweet Onions recipe. I’m usually not a cautious person in the kitchen, which is why I didn’t notice months ago that Gabriel didn’t own a set. However, that day, I didn’t feel like experimenting with cumin and paprika. Luckily for both of us, the chicken turned out great.