The wedding is real!

We agreed not to get engaged until Chris was done school, but we also want to get married asap! So we're in this awkward place where we're getting married next summer but I don't have a ring on my finger. We just can't afford it until we're both working full-time.

To be honest, I want the ring, but I don't need the ring to know I want to spend the rest of my life with someone and make that happen.

We've picked our location and photographer; we've made our guest list; I'm looking at dresses. It's happening. August 2012.

I don't have a ring, but I'm engaged to be married. And it doesn't feel any different.