We're Engaged!

Well this is it! Shanna and Luca... FINALLY! ( I know that must be what you are thinking). Well this is how it all happened...

Here are some stories about us. If you have a favorite story of us please email me so that I can try to find a photo to match it with and incorporate it into our page! If you have a pic of us I would love to add it to the gallery so send it my way as well!
The beginning...

Before the look...

The beginning...
Luca and I both attended Oakdale High School, and while we had high school sweethearts it wasn't each other. Luca and I actually shared a mutual internal dislike for each other. We spent a lot of time together but because of the mixed company not because we wanted to hang. We started hanging out, and just running into each other out on McHenry, or going to Sidelines on Thurdays where I would dance on the stage and he would strut around in his cool new car! I was 20 when I started to think of him differently. I remember texting him and telling him that I wanted to go out with him... "just me and you". Soon after that we went to Tahoe with a big group of friends and that is the night that we both decided (now) that we knew (then) that this (Luca and I) would be. We had our first technical date at Black Angus. I felt that "butterfly" in the tummy thing. I can remember riding in his car after a crazy night out and our hands touched on the center console. It felt so good that we both grabbed on tight. That was that! We have been together ever since....
The touch...
After the hand holding
After that fist hand holding we were inseperable. We were both in school and I was working. We went out a lot. We were not sure of how our friends would take us being together... or anyone else. (Not that is mattered but it was fun keeping the secret too!) So we stayed "just friends" on the outside. Although those who really paid attention could tell that there was so much more going on in the looks, the proximity of our stance and the dancing! Ooooohhhhhh the dancing! When I think back it is absolutely the best moments... dancing. Plus he was great with McKenzie. She was about 2 years old and they got along great... He has always loved her and has grown up a little with her, as I have too. Things just keep getting better and better.
We made up a date to celebrate "Our Day" and that is March 13th. We had many... many... many fun... fun... fun trips! We went to Tahoe (again) and we took a few trips to San Diego, thanks to our crazy friends. I remember one trip we left Oakdale at like 3am or something like that and got there before we could even check into our room, we had to go to Sharise's dorm room and sleep on her carpet for a quick nap! When we were in town we went out to dinner ALOT... and movies were also a regular thing. After a few years of that the bar and club scene got a little old. Luca was taking courses at Stanislaus state and we got to do a few things there that were very different from our normal routine. We saw an art exhibit including a few acts of some scripted art pieces, and this also showcased some of Luca's own sculpted rock sculptures! They are beautiful! He is so talented. In addition to that we went to several plays at the school which earned him some extra credit with me (and in the classroom too!)
Kenz N Luca
Takes a strong man...
It really was by the grace of God that Luca came into my world at the time he did. McKenzie was very very little. He has been here for her in an amazing way. There are so many things about him that are "just right". I remember him putting her Barbie jeep together with me in the garage at my dad's house for like 3 hours at least! He was in the hospital the day she was born, and I know it was in a circumstantial way, but he was there and that is what matters now. Luca makes it a point to be there. He went to McKenzie's first day of school, first (and every) soccer game, choir performance, band concert,cheer performance and dance recital! He is a wonderful father. She loves her daddy. McKenzie has waited a long time for this event. She is a super big helper too! She is an organizer and a planner just like her mommy! We all have a really good time together as a family and this is such a big step for us all!
6 months Engaged!
Getting ready to get ready
Well here we are nearly 6 months after Luca popped the BIG QUESTION! I am just now starting to want to look and start planning. My main concern is setting a date! That is such a HUGE commitment to everything. We have to then check if the venue is available, book a Pastor, reserve everything and be sure that is the date we want. I don't want it to be hot or too cold! Hee hee hee hee... I love being outside at night, but I don't want the weather to be a huge factor. Mild weather months is what we are looking at folks... how can you set a date with that being so unpredicatable? Oh well... First things first I guess so we will start here and go from there~
How we picked the date
This was not easy!
So once Shanna had the ring on her finger, she felt justified in thinking about the wedding details. However, she didn't want to rush into planning mode right away. In fact she shied completely away from the idea, swearing friends and family to silence of the subject for 3 months. Well then 3 turned into 6 months and here we are... Shanna is now looking at the calendar and realizing that the year is heading off to a speeding start!
We are getting married on February 28th 2009. 02-28-09
We have booked the church, the venue, the photographer and are working on the dj, florist, and cake. My WPP (Wedding Party Posse) took me Wedding Gown shopping today! It was sooooooooooooooooooooooooo fun! Oh my gosh! I LOVE it! We found the bridesmaid dress and now I have to take McKenzie, my mom and Luca's mom in to find dresses.
YAY!
Engagement Photo Shoot
Well we had waited forever to take these pictures (and when I say we I mean me, Shanna). You can see more photos in the gallery section of our page and on myspace too. This photo session was particularly meaningful to me (Shanna) because I had refused to take any professional portraits before we were engaged. After 777 we took Christmas family pictures and that was so fun. This session was done by our wedding photographers Amy and Jesse. Amy has a personality like mine, very bubbly and Jesse is laid back like Luca. They are a perfect match for us! I am so happy that we got to mingle with them in this casual way before our big day. This session was about a 2 hour shoot and it was SO FUN! They were taken downtown Modesto near the Modesto Centre Plaza and at Tressetti's Restaurant. The posing was new to us but so fun (especially the kissing poses I loved those). It was a magical evening and McKenzie got to be there too. She thinks we are silly. I was so thrilled that they had her pose with us for a few. Now we have some great family portraits!
Check out our MySpace for a TON more pics!
CLICK HERE to link to our MYSPACE page.