Certified Coordinated Bride Sommar

Journal Entry #1

He Has That Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi…

It’s been over 8 years since we met at Lucky Strike in DC and he still has that certain je ne sais quoi.   You know that special IT factor you just can’t seem to put your finger on.  Similar to when we first laid eyes on each other at our mutual friend’s birthday party.  He was bowling in the lane next to mine and initially I thought he was interested in someone else.  My sister to be exact but don’t worry, that turned out not to be the case!

I wouldn’t know until we were leaving the birthday party that he was actually interested in me.   At first I was playing coy, like I was not interested.  So much so, I walked away from him when he asked me for my phone number.  I didn’t think he was serious.   Oh, was I wrong. As I walked away he yelled my name in the middle of DC.  I was shocked.  I walked right up to him and said, “Don’t yell my name out like that again.”  He laughed and said he wanted my number so that he can make sure I got home safe.   I obliged and smiled to myself as I walked to my car.  The rest as they say is history.

Fast-forward 6 years. It’s 2013 and he is turning the big 3-0. We planned a trip to visit his family in London and to visit Paris. Paris was part of the last leg of our trip and the city I was looking forward to visiting the most. Our last day in the city was overcast and rainy but that did not stop his plans.  For our first stop he took me to visit THE Mona Lisa at The Lourve Museum.  From there we walked to the Pont des Arts “love lock” bridge.  This was one of my FAV moments on our trip.  Next we went shopping and despite the rain we managed to get everything on the agenda checked off.  Museum… check.  Pont des Arts bridge… check.  Shopping in Paris… double CHECK!

Our last to-do on the agenda was dinner.  When we walked outside of our hotel he lead me to a car that he rented unbeknownst to me. He opened the passenger side door and there was a bouquet of flowers on my seat.  I just remember thinking, despite the weather this night is off to a great start!

He drove us outside of Paris to the Chateau-le-Vicomte.  When we arrived it was pouring down rain. I wish you all could have seen us walking through the Chateau to the restaurant.  There was a cobblestone walkway, I am in heels and it is raining.  Ladies, you get the picture. Despite the obstacles we made it to the restaurant with out incident.  Once inside we were happy to see we arrived to dinner just in time.

Before finishing our meal, Jamal wanted to see the fireworks display outside of the castle.  Mind you, it was raining cats and dogs at this point.  So, we leave dinner to make it to the fireworks show.  We had an umbrella but that did not make a difference. We still got wet. In fact by the time we made it to the castle we were soaked!  Finally, we make it to the castle but had to go through all of these rooms before we can get to the courtyard to see the fireworks.  We’re running through halls and the rooms of the castle and then we stumble on the ballroom.  It’s doors lead out to the courtyard where the fireworks show was being held.  Unfortunately, they were locked and we were unable to open the doors. Moments later we see flashes of light and loud noises.  The show has started. We gazed at the show for a moment and the next thing I know he is down on one knee! I am shocked; what is going on is what I was thinking.  Once it hit me all I can remember is that I wanted to listen to every word he was saying to me. Then the last line that every woman wants to hear comes out of his mouth,  “Will you marry me?!?”

I smile, blush and scream, “YES, of course I will!!!” We hugged and I could not stop smiling. Finally, I looked up and noticed that he had one of the Chateau guards take pictures of this very special moment. All I could do is shake my head and continue to smile. This guy never ceasesto amaze me.

He really got me good. And you know what? He still has that certain je ne sais quoi. October 16th cannot come soon enough!

In the mean time, please enjoy some of our engagement pictures and awesome wedding date reveal video.

Until next time… Au revoir, Sommar.

The Wedding Event of 2015 from Jay Theodore on Vimeo.

Vendor Acknowledgement

Photographer: Mecca Gamble Photography //Engagement Shoot Creative Director & Event Stylist: Shayla Hawkins Events // Wedding Date Announcement Video by Jay Theodore