rogerpbrown.com

Rachel and I carpool to work. This morning, as we do every Monday, we stopped at the grocery store to do some grocery shopping. I stopped at the gumball machines, paid $0.25 for the perfect engagement ring, and secreted it into my pocket before Rachel could get a good look at it.

After work, I officially asked Rachel to join me on a date (a first). She knew I was going to propose today, so she asked that however I decide to do it, that I should make it a surprise. I grumbled at my circumstance, having no time apart from her to conspire. I even told her my idea, which was to have a scarecrow in the yard with a sign saying Marry Me and the engagement ring around its neck. We went straight home and did the usual chores and dinner with the family.

After dinner with the family, I took Rachel to see a movie in the theater called The Flyboys. Great movie, by the way, especially the skydiving scene.

It was dark by the time the movie let out. While driving home, I started talking about maybe proposing on the Full Moon instead. Rachel, convinced I wasn’t going to propose afterall, was just beginning to let me have it when my headlights caught their first glimpse of a scarecrow in the front yard.

She fell silent and waited for the lights to give her a second look. I pulled into the driveway and the headlights lit up a scarecrow. Her first words were, “I hate you!” And then she started with this weird laugh that was kind of like hysteria and crying all at the same time. After a few moments we came to the scarecrow and there it was. A sign saying “Marry Me Rachel -Roger Brown” and the $0.25 engagement ring hanging on a silver chain around its neck.

The family came out from hiding (I texted them when the movie ended) and they stood in the doorway, taking pictures and laughing with Rachel. She was giddy as a schoolgirl, and definitely surprised. I got on one knee and popped the question while she put on the ring. I stood up and we had our first kiss.

Rachel wanted to know how I managed the scarecrow. While she was getting ready for our date after dinner, I had a quick pow wow with my nieces Tasia and Sami and gave them the ring. While Rachel and I were at the movie, the family went to work on the scarecrow and sign. Sami even donated her necklace chain to the cause.

I love my family. Go team!

We have had several friends asking what they can do to help us. I personally appreciate this since I don’t have any family in Utah. For our reception we are having a potluck Bar-B-Q. We will be providing the main course. But it would be extremley helpful if those who are planning on coming claim a dish to bring from the following list. This way we can fill in any specificley needed items. If you could bring enough for 20 that would be excellent. Don’t worry if someone else has signed up for what you wanted to bring. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Side Dishes:

Pasta Salad Green Bean casserole Mashed Potatoes Green Salad

Fruit Salad Corn Baked beans Veggie Tray Fruit Tray Watermelon

Snackage:

Chips Rolls Cookies Crackers Cheese Deviled Eggs

Condiments:

Dill relish Mustard Ketchup Bar-B-Q Sauce Pickles Cheese slices

Desserts:

Cookies Brownies Cakes Jello Salad Rice Krispie Treats (Rogers Favorite)

Drinks:

Pop Kool-aid

Thanks again and catch yah on the flipside!

I challenged my family to an artwork contest to go on wedding invitations because I’m too cheap to pay a photographer. This was a submission by my nephew, Timothy Ellis. I think it’s perfect. Click the image for full size.

I’ve received a few questions that I’ll try to answer here. I met Rachel at my workplace in February 2008. We haven’t officially dated yet. We haven’t had an official first kiss yet. And we haven’t had an proper engagement yet, though I’m planning to propose officially on Monday the 29th. Rachel has no kids, and neither do I of my own, though I live with my sister Charly and her six young kids. Rachel is 10 years younger than me (I’m 36 and she’s 26). We’re just good friends with a lot of common interests. When I realized she enjoys cooking and cleaning, loves my family, and we’re best friends, I lost interest in my quest for a trophy bride and got started planning a wedding. For fun, I used Numerology to pick the best dates for the wedding and reception, and I’ll throw in some astrology when I officially propose to her on the New Moon on September 29th.

Check out following link. It takes you to a thumbnail gallery of some photos I took with Rachel the same day we made the announcement (9/24). The setting is Gordon & Trudy Peck’s back yard, which coincidentally is where the wedding reception is planned. She bravely followed me up to the ewok village tree, climbed up to the top level, went across the rope bridge, and copied my jump into the tire swing. She got into the tire swing well enough, but at the end of the swing she fell onto her back and skidded into the garden, taking out two or three sunflowers and stopping with a shovel under her ribs. Yes, she thumped her head hard, might’ve fractured a rib or two, and has had bad hip pain ever since, but we figured its better she learned her limits now than at the reception. Here’s the link:

http://rogerpbrown.com/rachel_fall_from_tree_swing/

I’m probably gonna marry Rachel Gray. Consider this your wedding invitation.

WEDDING:

• What: Drive-Thru Wedding
• When: Saturday, October 18, 2008
• Where: A Little White Chapel Tunnel of Love Drive Thru, 1301 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89104

RECEPTION:

• What: Informal wedding reception BBQ
• When: Monday, October 27, 2008 from 6-8pm
• Where: Gordon & Trudy Peck’s home (back yard if weather permits), 132 N 500 E, Payson, UT 84651