It's January 3rd and most people are going strong already with New Years resolutions and I'm over here still compiling my list. I'm not normally a procrastinator, but I'm definitely a recovering one. But that's not really why I'm still making my list.

Want to know what's at the top of my list this year? It's nothing new really, and maybe this phrase is old news these days,

I'm determined to be more intentional and to simplify.

The first step in that has been to take my time putting together a list of few but empowering and BIG goals for 2018. I promise I'll be sharing them soon (I know, I know, you're just on the edge of your seat), but I'm feeling a strong weight on my heart to share with you this morning.

Engagement season (yep, there's one of those; Thanksgiving - Valentine's Day) means one thing: you can't wait to show off your new sparkle and tell your story over and over. There's going to be something unexpected for you when almost immediately, friends, relatives, and the cashier at the Harris Teeter asks if you've set a date, and how big of a wedding you want, and the questions keep coming. You just want to live in that excitement and now there's a slight panic-- oh my goodness, should you know the answer to these questions? I by no means am opting for you to decide on a 2 year engagement like we did (spoiler: it was too long for us at least) but

What I AM doing, is giving you permission today to stop, to enjoy the excitement and take your time in celebrating your news.

It's okay to not know the answers just yet. This moment is solely reserved for basking in that crazy-in-love and loving the giddiness with your new fiancé while looking forward to the months to come. Be intentional and in the moment about this occassion in your life. And just remember, there is plenty of time for planning, and answers to these questions. Getting engaged is an event worth celebrating so don't let those folks who just want to join in celebrating convince you to "skip to the last page" and talk only wedding with you.

And last but not least, I want to be the one person who will just say CONGRATULATIONS! I know you must be more than excited to build your life with your person. In the meantime, I'll do my best to give you some tips on how to work in some heartfelt details for your first of big days because that's the fun part!