After my second day at work as an engaged man, I've heard every joke there is about the ol "Ball and Chain" and "Losing my manhood", and... I'm beginning to think they're right.

In between all of the actual work I have to do, and trying to pick out the manliest groomsmen gifts I can find, I keep getting IMs like "Should we do 'Save-the-date' magnets or cards?" or "What do you think about a string quartet?" and I find myself actually considering answering these questions. Even worse, I actually used the word "Cute" today. I'm beginning to think Haley may be right. I even know that it's a runner, not a rug.

I've heard all my life that once you get married, the woman is in charge. No one cared to tell me that that day actually came well before the wedding day. Not only is the woman in charge, but her mom, your mom, her sisters, your sister, her grandmothers and your grandmothers, and even women you've never even met before get to boss you around and all you can do is smile and nod. I don't think I've spoken in 4 days.

O... and apparently ITunes has wedding music. Sooooo guess what I got to listen to on my way to the gym today. Ashlea's not crazy, she was just asking me what I thought about each song, but they all sound the same to me. I just hope you bridesmaids are as pumped up before the wedding as I was before my squats today, cuz that music will really get you going.

This is my first ever blog, about my first ever engagement. I have A LOT to learn. I assumed that all I had to do was buy a ring, propose, pick a date, and it was all done. I was W R O N G! The minute I bought the ring and showed it to everyone, they all wanted to know "What are the bands going to look like?" I had no clue I had to buy an engagement ring based on how we want the wedding bands to look. What guy knows that stuff before the little kid with the pillow brings his ring to him.

Anyway, that was just the first question. There were MANY MANY more once I told everyone I had to propose immediately. "How are you going to do it?", "Have you thought about a wedding date?", "Is she gonna say YES?" I can't handle all the stress already, and I hadn't even proposed at this point. BTW... she said YES.

I don't really want to tell the story about how I proposed because I've either told it, or heard it, a gazillion times. Whatever she says, I did not get down on one knee, and I was not sweet or romantic. I have an image to uphold.

We're currently trying to plan this "small" wedding, and have gotten absolutely nowhere so far. It's only been a few days, and all we know is we want a beach wedding. Apparently small beach weddings are just as difficult to plan as a presidential inauguration bash.

I'll keep everyone updated on the planning as we go along.