A Shopping Day

I’ve had one full day between arriving home from the Calgary Regional and heading off to the next round of Workshops of a Lifetime—and guess how I spent it? Shopping—for a wedding dress!

Yes, I’m thrilled to announce (although it’s not news to some of you, Shanna’s been talking about it for days!) that Shanna is engaged. 

Her fiancé is Jared Bridegan, the brother of one of her best friend’s husband. They met back in October, right after she came home from her mission. Her friend’s husband actually e-mailed Shanna on her mission and told her about his brother, but Shanna wasn’t interested—too busy doing missionary work.

Then when she came home, she was kind of dating another guy. Jared flew out (he lives in Florida) for one day and they went to lunch, but Shanna wasn’t interested. Jared stayed in touch though, texting and calling, and Shanna started to pay more attention. Eventually, she flew out to Florida, and that face-to-face visit went much better than the previous one!

Jared flew out this weekend to make it official, and he happened to be here for Sterling’s big 60^th birthday, a milestone that Sterling hasn’t been thrilled with. We had the kids over for dinner on Sunday, and he got a shirt to help him remember the day. Other than that, we pretty much let him ignore it.

So now you know all the details leading up to today’s shopping trip.

So all the girls but Shalae met at the first store this morning as it opened. We went to one store in Utah County, then grabbed an early lunch (we met Sterling and Jared—Sterling was taking Jared to the airport to catch a flight back home so he can wrap up things before he moves out here) before visiting two more stores. We texted photos of the dresses to Shalae, and she’d call us to share her thoughts, so while it wasn’t quite as good as her being there, she was at least a part of it.

We found dresses we liked in each of the shops, but it was at the last shop that we found THE ONE. We knew the minute she put it on that this dress was meant for Shanna. I won’t post a picture of that dress quite yet—there are a few alterations and additions that need to be made, but I’ll definitely post photos after the wedding. 

So that’s today’s big news! We’re looking forward to spending more time with Jared once he moves out here in the next week or so, and in the meantime we’re thrilled with the way he treats Shanna and that they are so much in love! She cried when they said good-bye today, and I rolled my eyes a little. They’ll be apart for a whole SIX DAYS! But then I remembered leaving Sterling and sobbing the entire two-hour flight back to school, so I do understand. It is kind of cute. . .

I’m staying up late tonight to finish preparing for this week’s two Workshops of a Lifetime. I’ll be catching a flight early tomorrow for that. So now I have to stop thinking about wedding dresses and turn my attention to stamping projects.  . . .

Comments

[Caroline LeBel]

Oh, a wedding! How fabulously exciting :) Wishing them both a lifetime of happiness and love!

[Angela]

Hi Shelli

Congratulations to Shanna and your family. Family weddings are such fun. I hope all goes well with the arrangements and I can wait to see the invitations, I bet they will be spectacular!

[Terry Molineux]

CONGRATULATIONS SHANNA!!!! Shelli another addition to your lovely family. How lucky are you. Thanks for sharing your shopping with us. That is so wonderful you all went together and shared it with Shalae and made her part of the day. The love you guys share is so refreshing. Wish I had a family like yours....

Hugs to all,
Terry~~

[Dianna Richards]

Congrats Shanna! You are going to make a beautiful bride! When is the big date?

Shelli - how do you find the time to fit it all in? I hope you are taking good care of yourself while you are so busy traveling! We are so excited for your visit with Cherie here in IL very soon! : )

Happy Birthday Sterling! You don't look a day over 40! Looks like you had a great day with the grandchildren.

Blessings to your whole family! Dianna : )

[Melissa Riker]

Congratulations! Wow, wedding planning is so much fun! She looks gorgeous and happy in love!

[Cecilia]

Congrats! When I scrolled to see the different pictures I thought we were going to vote! I loved the third one on the top row! I can't wait to see the actual "dress".

[Christina]

Yah! That is wonderful- congrats to Shanna and Jared! Well, my favorite of the dresses posted are the top far right and bottom middle but I guess non of those made the cut- so I can't wait to see THE ONE!

My husband was living in MA and me in TX before we got married so there were also always tears when we had to say goodbye! :(

[Staci Miserlian]

That's big! Congratulations to the new couple & hope it all goes well for them. Happy B-day to Sterling! He looks great, even for an "old guy" - LOL!!

[Debbie]

Congratulations to Shanna & Jared and the entire family! Love in bloom & growing is always so special.

Happy Birthday Sterling...may you have many, many more! Don't count the years...just the blessings they have brought you.

[Melissa]

Congrats! What a beautiful story - thank you for sharing your family with us!

[Dawn Olchefske]

Wow - that's huge news. Congratulations! Those are beautiful dresses to choose from - she looks great in all of them!

Love Sterling's shirt!!!

[SHH]

WOW! CONGRATULATIONS to Shanna! And a bleated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sterling! How much time do you have to prepare for this wedding? Best of luck and enjoy every minute!

[Susan LaCroix]

Congratulations to all of you! Thanks so much for sharing your family news! I'm not sure how you squeeze in all that you do - please take care of yourself!!

[Sarah Smith]

Congratulations to Shanna! Thank you for sharing the happy news with us! Can't wait to see "The ONE" after the wedding. :)

[Deb]

Best Wishes to the happy couple!!!

[Kay Kalthoff]

Congratulations to Shanna and Jared. My husband and I only needed a date or two and we just "knew". (Actually, he said he "knew" the moment he laid eyes on me and that it took ME a little longer to figure it out!! lol!) Anyway, I'm so happy for them. Thank you for sharing your wedding dress shopping day with us. I'm really excited to see the dress Shanna picked!
And, I know Sterling probably doesn't want to hear it . . . but congrats to him, too! lol! That shirt is totally cute!
Kay

[Jenn]

Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. What an exciting time in life for them :)

[Shanna Gardner]

Mom, I dont know if I thanked you enough yesterday for your help. Thank you for taking the time to come with me, I loved having your input and help. Haha, and I still think we should have chosen the mermaid/flamenco dress ;)

[Jan Grant]

I trust you will be posting the stamped invitations, reply cards, favors, etc., etc., etc. -- all with detailed instructions for those of us who are totally inept at figuring things out! BTW, blessings on the new couple.

[Ida Chan]

Congratulations to all of you!! I'm glad it's finally official and you and Sara don't have to zip your mouths so shut anymore at your workshops! It's must be such a thrill to let everyone know!
And happy birthday Sterling!!

[Sarah McEvoy]

Congratulations Shanna! And of course congrats to the whole family on this exciting news!

BTW, I hope you will be on the cruise Shanna with your fiance in tow. We need you back at karaoke!!! Does Jared sing? ;)

[Lynsay Mahon]

Yay Shanna! What amazing news! I'm so excited and happy for her and her fiance! Bruce and I also had a short courtship and long distance relationship until the wedding and I can imagine how excited they must be for the big day.

Happy Birthday to Sterling!

[Chelsea]

Yea Shanna!!!! love you, congrats. xoxoxoxo

[Liz Gray]

Shelli I actually know the boy she is marrying. He grew up in my home stake. I know his sister better than him, but they are such a great family. Congrats on the addition to your family.

[Shelly]

so Shelli you left out a few important details like when's the big day and what does he do "move" so soon?

Congratulations.

Happy Belated Birthday to Sterling...i'm not one for birthdays myself :)