Going to the Chapel....

Well, it finally happened. A Handley/Hughes girl is engaged. In our family there are four girls. We range in ages from 32 to 20. And of course - none of us are married. My dad makes fun of the fact, in his own loving way, that we haven't even had a nibble of a proposal - but deep down I think he is glad - weddings cost so he has had time to save up for hopefully four nuptials. Naturally you would think that the 32 year old (aka me) got engaged. But, sorry to disappoint my blogging audience - its not me. Or the other two closest to me - its the baby of the family - the 20 year old - Nicole. Ronald and Nicole have been dating for a few years now and we knew it was coming. He had asked for the hand in marriage back in May. So, we knew it was only a matter of time. Everyone is excited for them - I think it might be a little bittersweet actually. Happy, yet sad, the baby of all people is engaged. Its not supposed to work that way, so they say. The older girls have needed to prepare the parents for marriage - not the baby. But, I say why not get prepared and jump in head first with the baby! :) Not sure if the date has been set yet. Sometime next year I think. It will be sad and exciting for everyone all at the same time. Exciting to make plans (new blog topic in the next year) and see them happy and in love! Sad because it is the baby and she is all grown up now - she is still supposed to be that little cute 6 year old who we wrestled with all the time. I know she is going to make a great wife and Ronald a great husband. They love each other very much and we are very excited to have a brother in the family. Congrats Nicole and Ronald!!!

Here are the Handley/Hughes girls in 1996. Our first official sisters portrait. Nicole was so young then...

And now 12 years later - here's Ronald proposing to our grown up Nicole!