"It's the birth of a family."

Our parents got together at my (Laura's) house on Thursday to toast our engagement with champagne. (It would have been on Wednesday, but Gavin had to go out of town for business!) Hugs and congratulations all around. I think both sets of parents had been anxiously waiting for this announcement for months!

Having everyone together and excited was wonderful. We'll have to do it again on a weekend when Paul and Colleen can be in Glen Ellyn as well. Mark joined us for the toast, and my Mom was even able to have a small sip!

My Dad made a toast he has had prepared for a long time. (He told me Tuesday night he already knew what he was going to say!) The gist: That there's a special bond between a father and daughter, and that ever since I was little - Indian Princess-age - he wanted the best for me. When Gavin came along there was hope. (laughter) He thinks of Gavin like a son, knows that I am getting the best and told us he's excited for us and he loves us. Mom helped him a little at the end. :)

Gavin's Dad also made a toast, telling us how happy he is that things led to this point and recollecting the beginning of our relationship in high school.

One last toast (the champagne was flowing!). Gavin's Mom pointed out that she realized when Colleen was married a few years ago, that an engagement, "really, is the birth of a family," and that marriage is cyclical in all families. It was one of those obvious points that you never really process until you hear it out loud.

When the toasting was over, the mothers went back to planning the wedding - without us. haha. I'm so glad they're so excited! They're definitely ahead of us in their thinking so far, however.

Details, date, etc. are all still TBD!