LoVE biRDs

I have some fantastic news!!!! My little/big brother is ENGAGED!!! He met this amazing girl years ago and on occasion, randomly would hang out with the same group of friends. They never thought twice, or maybe just the wrong timing in life, but they were never more than that person that they see sometimes when everyone hangs out.  I do remember Craig talking about this girl he thought was pretty at someone's wedding but nothing ever came of it...maybe she had a boyfriend or word just didn't get around to her that Craig was interested. It's ok though, a little while later we had a new renter in our house who was Laura and Craig's friend Maggie.....and her friend who came over all the time was Kaitlyn. Even though they kind of, sort of knew each other, it wasn't until then that they really got to know each other. Still with a few obstacles they remained friends and nothing more. A few months after that, the timing was right and they fell in "like" with each other. Craig has been waiting for the one to come along for a while, he said when he found her one day he would know right away. They started dating and we quickly learned Craig has probably found that one he's been waiting for. A few facetime convos with Craig and we heard all about Kaitlyn. It wasn't until I went home in October to surprise a friend for her birthday that I got to meet her. I was excited to meet her because I heard such great things from Craig, but also nervous because I wanted her to be right for my brother, I didn't want her to hurt him, I didn't want him to get heart broken, I didn't want to see him sad and I definitely didn't want her to be a snobby, all about me, selfish person who was going to one day take my brother from me. I was pleasantly surprised (at 6 months pregnant) when I walked in the house and this girl with a big smile on her face got up from the couch and gave me the biggest hug like she's missed me....yet she's never met me. All those doubts in my mind instantly faded and I felt an immediate connection with Kaitlyn, like i've missed her too!! Since that day, they grew into a loving, caring, fun couple. In May they came to Barbados for a week and it was great to spend good quality time with them and really get to see them together as a couple. Kaitlyn fits perfectly with our family dynamic and when we're all together things just flow like normal, we've never felt like we had to "fit" someone else into our lives. She's very easy going, enjoys life, loves our family, adores my brother and as nervous as us Zubli girls were for the girl Craig would one day marry, we have nothing to be nervous about anymore. 

A few weeks ago, Craig picked up the engagement ring he'd been designing with a friend of the family who is a Jeweler. Besides Kaitlyn, we were all involved, got updates of drawings and everything, so it would only make sense for all of us to go with Craig to pick up the ring on his lunch break....I of course was on facetime so technically I was there :) My mom cried, then I got kind of choked up, it's just so special seeing my brother design and purchase something that means so much to him and he's become this great man who's found the one he wants to spend his life with and I can not be happier.

He went out that night with Kaitlyn for their 1 yr anniversary but he didn't propose because it was to obvious....so he waited until the next night. He hatched a plan and proposed in downtown Winter Garden FL in front of the fountain. I was impatiently waiting for updates from Laura who was the ring holder and picture taker. When it was over, we facetime'd quickly but it was loud where they went to celebrate so it was pretty much hand gestures of excitement because they couldn't hear us lol.

 It's so awesome having my family who is so close, we want each other there for things because it's important and we can't imagine doing them with anyone else. Keeping the bond is what's most important in life and Kaitlyn is part of that family bond. Darin, also an in-law, fits in perfectly too ;) and i'm grateful for the relationship he has with my family as well. He's become a best friend and brother to Craig and Laura and I love that! He means so much to Craig, that Craig has asked Darin to stand with him at his wedding....my heart is so happy, I married such a great guy who means just as much to my family as he does to me. Just like I can't imagine someone else for me, I can't imagine someone else for Craig, Kaitlyn loves and adores my brother so much, he's changed as a person over the last year (in a great way) and I can see the change he's made in Kaitlyn as well. They make a great team and they make each other better in the process.....I can't wait to watch them start their lives together as husband and wife on January 31, 2015!!!!!