I'm Engaged

In case the word on the street hasn't reached you yet, I'm engaged. I, Susanne Michelle Goldstone will become Susanne Michelle Rosenhouse on December 28, 2008. My initials will go from SMG (smug) to SMR (smear). Not sure which is worse. I think they're both alright.

I apologize for the delay. Its taken me a week to post something on here. I've been ruminating a lot about what to say on here. In addition to the story of how this all went down, I'd also like to give you some thoughts about how I feel about simchas in general.

Now to preface, I'm not the type of girl who enjoys being the center of attention. Contrary to popular belief, I am pretty shy and having people singing, jumping, and dancing around me (literally) is not my cup of tea. That said, last Tuesday my boyfriend, now fiance (holy crap, thats like the first time I've uttered that aloud, well, not actually aloud, but still), and I became affianced.

Evan and I met on SawYouAtSinai. This is a Jewish dating site like no other. Instead of direct contact you have a shadchan or intermediary matchmaker set you up. Ours was Kim Davis Solomon. You may know her as Happy Kim. Kim was that girl in Stern who always had a smile on her face. She was always happy to see you. Always had an anecdote to cheer you up. Always made you a little bit happier. I tell my friends, "remember Kim Davis? She set us up." They go "who?" I go "Happy Kim." They go "ooooohhh HAPPY Kim, course we know her!" Point is, shes an incredible incredible person. So incredible that I sincerely believe that she is more happy about our engagement than both Evan and I put together (as if that's possible). I am so happy we were able to make her so full of joy and able to give this amazing woman the zechus (merit) of making our match.

As for the proposal which I know all my rabid female readers are waiting for, here goes. Was I suspicious that this was coming soon? Yes. It started over Pesach when I went to Dallas to meet my future in-laws. The day before I came to town Evan nonchalantly says, "so I went shopping today." I asked, "oh for a new suit?" "Nooo." "What then?" "Jewelry." "Oh..." Thank goodness the meeting went well. I get along with his family (at least the 90 of them that I met during my 3 day visit) and his grandparents LOVE me (its mutual, they are awesome!). :)

Evan asked me like a week earlier if I was free Tuesday night the 13th. I was like, um, we aren't the couple that makes plans in advance. We are mucho laid back. So that kind of tipped me off. He wanted to get tickets to the show I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Thats kind of random. He never mentioned the show before. Plus, he suggested we go to dessert after, something we've never done after a show. So I was super suspicious at this point. So I cancelled some plans I had with my girlfriend's on Tuesday and told Evan I would go to show on Tuesday. I passed up Smokey Joes's for you Evan. Now THATS love!

We went out on Tuesday and nothing was too weird. I suggested we get a bite to eat. We went to Le Marais one of our faves since you can get a good kosher steak for an affordable price. Then we were off to the show. Evan didn't seem nervous or do anything out of the ordinary. We then walked to the show. It was a small theater but a very fun show about the trials and tribulations of being single in this day and ago. The show ended and I noticed Evan didn't take a program at first. So I thought to myself, if he was really going to propose tonight, he probably would have taken that with him as a memento. I went to the bathroom which I always do after a show (I have the world's smallest bladder, honest, look in the Guinness book for my picture). While I was in there I remember berating myself thinking how lame I was to think it might be tonight. I left the bathroom and found the lobby empty of our fellow theatergoers. Only a couple ushers were left in the room. And Evan said, "Susanne, can I ask you something?" I was like, "Um, I guess." Then he went into a beautifully planned speech using the elements of the show and ending with the question of whether I'd like to CHANGE from his girlfriend to his wife. The last part was done on bended knee. After gratefully accepting and exchanging hugs to the ecstatic cheers of the two ushers, the first thing out of my mouth was, "my God Evan, what if the play ended badly and everyone decided to stay single?" I don't think he had thought of that part. I'm glad it ended the way it did. Happily.

Of course, being me, I needed photographic evidence of this occasion. So I asked Evan to reenact the proposal while the ushers greatfully snapped pictures. We made our requisite phone calls to our family and friends and ventured out to find a cab to take home. The subway would put us out of cell phone range for too long and our well wishes were pouring in.

We got back to my apartment to find that my roomy Sharon had decorated my door. Back in Stern there was a custom to decorate the door of the latest 20-year-old to get engaged, in order to make all the other girls on her floor feel inadequate. I always wanted one...but sadly, I graduated YU without my MRS degree. So Sharon made up for lost time. See video here.

My favorite part about this whole experience has been the outpouring of mazel tovs. I've haven't had a real mazel tov in my life since like my Bat Mitzvah. Or I guess my college graduation. I've been stagnant without a simcha for at least 6 years. Simchas bring people together. They help old friends reconnect. So far like 10 friends who I haven't seen or heard from in 5-10 years have either called me up, emailed me, or signed my guestbooks on OnlySimchas or Shmais. People I know well (and some even vaguely) have stopped me on the street to tell me how great they think I am and how highly they regard my friendship. They've told me memories they have and other positive things about me. But most importantly, they want to say how happy they are to hear about my simcha. My question is this: Why wait for a simcha? Why not tell your friends and companions everyday how much you care about them? Someone told me yesterday that she doesn't think she'll ever get a mazel tov. That saddened me so much. I challenge you all to treat others like they have simchas in their lives. Call someone you haven't spoken to in a while and reconnect. Do it now, because who knows when you'll get a chance.

Now folks, please feel free to hit me up for brachos. Brides and grooms apparently have superpowers where we have an open line to God. Ask and you shall receive. Take advantage of my generosity.

My heart is bursting with all the warm Mazel Tov wishes! I may not get back to all of you, but they mean the world to me. Thank you!

For more pics visit my Facebook photo galleries. Enjoy!

L'Chaim Gallery 1
L'Chaim Gallery 2
The Infamous Bucket of Cheesy Poofs