We had a great weekend in Maryland. Alex and I traveled to Gaithersburg this weekend to celebrate a few events. Mainly, Baby Owens' baptism in addition to seeing Violet and Catalina and the whole family. We made our way home Saturday morning after a tough work week for Alex. We arrived home and immediately settled into chillaxland....got some Saltenas for lunch (Alex was a big fan) and then sat in front of the tube for a little while. The girls and I socialized while Alex took a nap. We had a great dinner munching on Dad's grilled ribs, rice and salad. Everything was delish! The next day, we woke up to dogs barking, kids laughing and breakfast being made in the kitchen. Eggs, pancakes and all kinds of delish breakfast items. I knew this weekend was going to be the weekend that Alex asked my dad for my hand in marriage. We talked about it, just like we talk about everything else and he told me what he was going to say. At first, his speech went something like this " Sir, I'm Considering marrying your daughter" HOLD UP I said to Alex- Considering? What like you have other choices that you are debating????? Basically the only choices that he has are between me and Darcy. I know its a tough one...We chuckled about it and then he said he would tweak his pitch about it. He came up to me and said, "Should I do it now?" I said, " Ya! Go outside and just start talking to him...strike up a conversation" He said, "well I don't want it to be too obvious...." I then suggested that he and my Dad take Darcy out in the backyard and throw the ball around to her. He thought it was a great idea and the next thing you know the screen door shut. I'll never really know what was said out there, because I'm basically marrying a version of my father and he just happens to be a man of few words. But from what Alex told me, he said his revised version went something like this: Don, Linda and I have been talking about getting married and before we go any further, I'd like to have your permission to move forward. My dad told Alex he was very happy for us and that he, of course, approved. He then went in for a quasi-hug from what Alex said. I told him to describe it to me and he did such a poor job so in my mind, for all of the stories I will tell about this day they had a good hug at the end of the conversation. I'm so happy Alex likes my family and they like him. He got an opportunity to meet all of the other Spanish relatives later that afternoon. I think everyone was so surprised that he fit in so nicely....Even Mami Luz gave him a hug and said " I love you" to him as we were leaving. I said, "she said I love you to you in Spanish?" Alex said, "No. She said I love you in English!" My family changes and amazes me every time I turn away. Mark one down for the Arzabe's. They made me super proud!!!!!!!!!!
