Happy 2nd Anniversary!

So in the midst of the madness this morning...breakfast, cold coffee, laundry, snuggly baby, I thought I'd update the old neglected blog.

Today is our 2nd wedding anniversary, and I couldn't be more happy:) These three pictures sum up the past two years in a nutshell.

Our Wedding Day November 15, 2016

Family Photos November 14, 2015

Family Photos October 2016

1 Month!!

I have been married to this guy for a month now..and I couldn't be happier!  I can't wait to see him soon for the holiday.  Living apart sucks, but it is worth the final out come; being under the same roof very, very soon.

Thanksgiving at Capital Grille

I Got Married!!

Yes folks, it is true.  The count down is off the blog, and I am a married woman.  I'll share 1 picture with you, as I have to go through loads of laundry, and get caught up on sleep from partying!

Love this man!

Dear Mom

Mom-
It has been 8+ years since we celebrated Mothers Day.  I honestly don't remember that particular day, but I do know that we usually celebrated with lunch/dinner, a treat just for you.  That particular year, we had lunch at the cafe in the hospital....when I got there.   I couldn't make it home for the last one here in this world, as I was out at sea.  I sent you a Coach Purse from where I was stationed at in Virginia- an attempt to make up for my absence.  I was glad you enjoyed it when I visited a few weeks later before deployment.  You never really enjoyed us spoiling you when we were growing up. When I finally had a job right out of college, buying you something nice-just for you- was what I wanted to do.  We never got to go out and really hang out during my last visit, as you were in the Cancer Ward at University of Chicago. The nurses set up a cot so I could stay there with you during my visit.  Have a sleepover, talk, and gossip about everything and anything.  But I will never forget your strength, your hugs, and love.  You hated being there, but you did over come the cancer for a short time after my visit. I only wish I was there to see it.  To take you to Huck Finn, or just a walk around the neighborhood.  You were scared because I was deploying for the first time.  I tried my best to keep you calm.  It was just 6 months on a ship.  No big deal.  I had a "mini" deployment before-humanitarian relief in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina.  I showed you pictures from Katrina during that visit, and told you how well I was doing at work.  I was about to get promoted a week later.  Taking on more responsibility.  I had a boyfriend in the Navy at the time, he had just returned from Iraq.  Life was good.  Life was really good.  I was excited for this journey.  So so excited. 

Just about a month and a half into the deployment, I called you one night.  Just to see how you were.  I had a feeling.  A feeling you were worried.  So I asked my boss if I could use his phone.  That was the last time I ever heard your voice.  As I comforted you saying "It is ok, mom.  My boss let me use his phone..I know you see us on the news..but we are ok..."  2 days later, I received the message that you were sick, and I had to get home.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it back to say goodbye.  I was at the airport with 10+ junior Sailors who were scheduled to rotate back home.  We were in Italy, waiting to get on a plane, when I called home, and got the news.  I will never forget how they saw my face on the phone, the moment I found out I didn't make it home in time.  They all came over to me, and gave me a group hug like no other.  They didn't know why I was flying home-they just figured it out.  I felt so much love at that moment, and was so blessed to have those Sailors there with me on my trek home. 

8 years later, I am returning from sea this Mother's Day.  I have done so well this week.  Planning evolutions, doing things you probably never had the wildest idea that I could ever do.  Seriously-me, the third in command of a warship?  You probably never imagined that 8 years ago.  Having a great job, and a great future ahead at work and at home.  Boyfriends came and went, and the latest one stayed-thank goodness.  He is now my fiance, and you would love him-he is perfect.  I tell him quite often.."if you could have only met my mom-she would love you!"  Planning a wedding and a future with him is awesome, and it is even better knowing that I grew up with the ideals and morals that you and dad instilled in us all!

The hardest part about mother's day isn't the fact that you aren't here anymore-it is trying to live and dance to your legacy.  I hope that I can count on your lessons and handle all that comes my way with as much poise, love, and grace as you.  I think of you often, pray for you and dad..and hope you both continue to watch over me as you have these many years. 


Love you always-
Megan

Family

via google

Families have their moments.  I am from a large Irish family, and I wouldn't change it for the world.  Tons of aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings...family parties, etc.

I am proud of my family-each person has such incredible gifts.

I can't wait to get married this year, and start a family of my own!

What is Love?

Love:  a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person

 

 

Love just isn't a feeling towards your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/mother/father/sister/brother...

It is so much more.

 

Love isn't something that always has to be said.  Love is a friend walking your dog when you are sick.  Love is helping an elderly lady cross the street with bags of groceries.  Love is making your fiances favorite dinner, even when you are just exhausted.  Love is what you feel when you get that hug from that special person you haven't seen in a long time.   God is love. 

 

Love is so many things.  This list could go on. 

 

There are many things you can do for someone to tell them that you love them, without saying it, you can just show it. 

 

 



Date Night: 5 Valentines Day Date Ideas

I am not that "big" on Valentine's day.  I feel that you should celebrate your love more than one time a year, but..I will go out of my way to do something special for the one I love!

So here are some great date ideas for you and that special person:

1. Dinner and the Opera/Show.  I know.  Sounds crazy!  I took my guy to a great steak house and to the Opera 3 years ago for Valentine's Day (we celebrated on the 15th, because we both had to work on the 14th).  One bonus, it was cheaper!  Less hype!  I got the opera tix on groupon, and it was $150 total, and dinner was about $150 at a great Chicago steakhouse.  Yes, $300.  But honestly, worth every penny.

2. Cook at home.  Make your guys favorite dinner.  If I came home and made him meatloaf, he would be ecstatic.  Cooking your guy their favorite meal is showing love all in itself.  Plus dessert.  Can't forget dessert.  I would go with gelato, or chocolate covered strawberries!  Yumm. 

3. Movie night.  Watch your favorite movie together.  Take out, movie, couch, blankets...candles.  Can't go wrong!

4. Have a "Ferris Buellers Day Off" in your city.  Make a day of it.  Go to your favorite sights, restaurants, coffee house, etc.  One of my favorite dates was at 11 am waiting in line at Hot Dougs in Chicago!

5. Wine and Cheese tasting at home.  Find some good vino at Binny's, Whole Foods, etc, and try new things.  Make sure you have a fall back, and buy stuff you know you already like.  No one likes crappy wine on their date night. 

I am fairly certain #3 has already won for this year's date night! 
I can't wait!

More Chicago Christmas!!

So I hope everyone enjoyed that last post.  I am so excited to get married in 2014!

The day after the proposal, I made breakfast and we hung out at home, until we met friends out for dinner.

We made phone calls to family and friends, but kept the proposal a secret from our friends whom we were visiting with that evening.

Having wine with my bff, and grabbing dinner and drinks at Piccolo Sogno made for a great evening celebrating with friends!

Celebrating with my girls!

Piccolo Sogno.  Celebrating!

A Magical Chicago Christmas!!

So the past 10 days have been a whirlwind.  Family, friends, holidays...travel..you name it!

Let us start where the journey began on December 20th!

I had a tough week at work that week, and I was so excited to go home.  My flight was delayed (par for the course), and I was just so pumped to see my baby.  I got home around 8pm, and he picked me up at O'Hare, and we headed out to our favorite Sushi restaurant.  We had our usual dinner, some wine, and just had the best conversation. 

As we walked in the door, I noticed that the house smelled amazing.  Way better than usual.  That is when I noticed this waiting for me in the kitchen!

That is right ladies.  Roses.  Not just a dozen, but 100.  The smell is intoxicating.  There was also a beautiful love letter on the table.

As I was trying to take all of this in, I was summoned into the Living Room by my guy.

He told me to take a look at his Christmas tree.

I looked at his tree, and said, "nice".  I cleary did NOT see what he wanted me to see, as I had just taken off my glasses.  I went back in the kitchen, put my glasses on, and looked again. 

I may or may not have pointed, and screamed, and the engagement ring sitting on the branch at the top!  I was stunned, and crying tears of joy as my boyfriend put the ring on my hand, and asked me to marry him. 

Perfect proposal.  Just us.  In our house, with our pup (only 1 of em, the other stayed in FL), in our city.

I couldn't be happier.  Stay tuned for more posts from my trip!!

Trip to Annapolis...day 2!

After day 1's festivities, we were exhausted.  From travelling, walking, hanging out..so we just hung out in our room at our hotel until the wedding.  Latham and Adam had their ceremony in the chapel at the United States Naval Academy, and the reception at the Marriott.  It was such a fairytale wedding, and I was so happy to be there for their day! 

It was a bit of a reunion for our six degrees of separation Navy crew, and we had a blast!

Mike and I. 

Love this dress and necklace...stay tuned for the story behind the outfit!

Traditional Sword Arch

Gorgeous!

Mike and I on the patio at the Marriott

How did we get so many powerful women in one room?!? 4 Navy Lawyers, 1 SWO, 1 USO director, and 1 Pilates Studio owner!

Goof!

Dear Dad

Dad-
It has been 16 years since we celebrated Fathers Day.  I honestly don't remember that particular day, but I do know that we usually celebrated with a BBQ.  Grandma, Aunts and Uncles would come over, and we would BBQ, exchange gifts, and enjoy the start of a great Chicago summer.  This would kick off one of many BBQs for you.  I loved seeing you in your baseball apron, in the backyard grilling dinner.  You were the best behind the grill and in the kitchen.  You taught me how to cook.  I still brag about your skills.  You taught me so much about being a good Catholic, a good person, and about life in general.  I remember so many great things about you.  Me beaming when I saw you at any school events.  Me loving each meal you made, because I knew you traveled throughout the city to find the ingredients.  I was talking to my roommates today about TomTom Tomales.  If they only knew.

I set sail this week for an adventure of a life time.  I will be gone for so long, and have one hell of a responsibility.  I hope that I can count on your wisdom, guidance, and love to get me through this.  I have gotten this far because of you.  I still choke up every Fathers Day when I think of you.  How I wish I could spoil you with stuff I know you would never buy yourself, despite needing it.  So today I will honor your memory.  Pray for you, think of you, and love you that much more.  I just wish I could get one more big bear hug.  Those were the best.  I love you Dad.  Always.

Summer Traditions...

I am linking up with Meghan today for her favorite summer traditions!

1. Festivals.  We all know I love St. Mike's Fest, and all of the other festivals.  Can we say Sausage Fest this weekend?

http://chicago.metromix.com/events/article/chicago-festivals-2011/2450230/content

2. Running on the Lake.  I couldn't run outside all winter, so I love good running weather!

3. Rainbow Cone, Bobtail, Gelato.  Ice cream in general.  Just another excuse to go for a walk on a nice summer night!

http://www.rainbowcone.com/Rainbow1/Home.html

4. BBQ.  I love to grill on my rooftop deck!

I am the grill master:)


5. Fresh Fruits and Veggies.  Love getting these delivered from FreshPicks!  Looking forward to starting up my orders again.

http://www.freshpicks.com/cms/

Fresh fruits and veggies delivered to your front door, all organic, from the Midwest.  Amazing:)  I wrote a few posts about it when I started my blog last September.

Weekend Update..

After working an insane amount of hours last week, and being completely exhausted, I was so happy to have the weekend off. 

Saturday I treated myself to a much needed mani/pedi, brunch with my friends at Wilde (looove that place)..and date night with the bf at Fado and then the Chicago Theater to see Celtic Woman.  I can imagine he was embarrassed to go, but all in all, he enjoyed it.

Sunday I cleaned the apartment, and then went to dinner and just relaxed with the bf.  Getting to see him two days in a row was a treat.  That never happens because our work schedules are so different!

Is it bad that I am already looking forward to our date set for next weekend?  But first..a day off just because this week with a friend.  Sometimes you just need a day off in the middle of the week for some baseball and beer.  Just saying:) 

Dinner and the Opera

When my mister and I were going from the Church back to the hotel after my friends wedding, we talked about how we both wanted to go to the opera.  Not even three weeks later, I found some discounted opera tickets.  Yay!  Date night!  They were for the Girl of the Golden West at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  I wanted to go to a nice dinner before the opera, so I asked my concierge for some recommendations.  He told me about a new steakhouse, called the Chicago Cut.  Great food!  I had a 1 inch filet, and we shared mushrooms, scalloped potatoes, and sauteed spinach.  The wine was great, and the wine list is on an Ipad.  I am pretty partial to Wildfire for steak, but this is my new favorite.  Oh, and did I mention they came out with a giant piece of chocolate cake for dessert?  And the amazing view?  It is right on the Chicago river.  I am partial to places with a good view, since the architecture of this city is just...well..awesome. 

We went to the Lyric Opera House after dinner, had a drink and walked around looking at all the beauty that the opera house had to offer.  We had amazing seats, main floor, about 10th row.  The opera was wonderful, and it was probably one of the best date nights we have ever had.  We just kept cracking each other up, and great food, and even better company:)

We didn't do anything for "valentines day" but I did make him a nice dinner Friday (Wellington, rice pilaf, steamed green beans with toasted almonds and pie).  I also got him a massage, since I know he needs one after all the hard days he has had at work lately.  Monday was a rough day at work, so I came home, worked on a final, and had some wine.  I had a dozen roses waiting for me when I got home, and it definitely made my day.  Love him!!

All you need is love 8

Day 8

Whether in love or out, 

on Valentine's Day I LOVE to..

Play with this pup.  I took her home on Valentines day 2 years ago

Her first day with me!  I love Bella!

Looking out the window this past summer.  Who doesn't love this face?!?

I normally like to drink a glass of wine, eat a nice meal, relax, and or hang with my girls.  Tonight I have to finish a final for grad school..but will be celebrating with my guy tomorrow! 

All you need is love..7

I {LOVE} when I feel beautiful/sexy/pretty! This happens when I...

• Get a new, fresh hair cut.  I have crazy, thick unruly hair,so it is impossible for me to ever style it the way I would like.
• Go to the spa.  I feel great after a facial or a good massage. 
• Have the bf tell me I look beautiful!
• When I dress up for a special occassion...like New Years..

NYE 2010.  Meg and Brian's Wedding!

All you need is love 5 and 6..

I didn't put up 5 yesterday because I was swamped with work.  Fridays can tend to be hectic and a bit of groundhog day all in one.

5..What I love about my friends is..

They are there for me.

They visit me, and I visit them..for some of the best girls weekend ever!

They make my heart happy.

Even though they may live all over the US/World, we can pick up right where we left off!

Me and Kim out and about on Michigan Ave.  Goofing off as always!

Me and Ellen before one of many Chicago Cubs games we have been to!

Erin, Jim, Me in California!

Allison, Mel, Dawn, Me, Erin.  California Dreaming..

Meghan and Megan.  We love baseball and beer. 

Colleen, Me, Jen.  Chicago!

Me and Liz.  Shopping in Chicago!



Laura and I enjoying some good food and beer after I sat in 3 hours of HR Traffic.  Love this girl!



Mindie, Dave, Me.  Norfolk!

The gang outside the Union League Club of Chicago.  Oh what a night!

Nikki's going away dinner.  Summer 2010 Chicago

Tara and Me at the Hawks game!

Me, Sarah, and Josh.  Go ILLINI!!

These are only a few photos of me and my friends from May 2009 to now.  Shows how often we love to travel, enjoy each other's company, sports, and beer!!!

6.  What I love about blogging is..

I can post recipes, pictures, and share life with my friends and family!  I am moving all over for the Navy pretty soon, and I will leave my wonderful hometown of Chicago once again.  I also learn so much and get inspired from all the other blogs I follow!!