A Very Semi-Parmed Engagement!

No one ever told me just how quickly things move after you get down on a knee and ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you.

The day before my birthday, at a barbecue at my house, I decided to ask my girlfriend of eight months to marry me. In my ignorance, I did not realize I was effectively pulling the switch that would take us from zero to ludicrous speed in a matter of minutes. My semi-parmed life had gone to plaid. (Ok, my self imposed quota of Spaceballs references has now been satisfied, I promise!)

Two weeks later we had already started looking at wedding venues. This was a task that required our due diligence and one I’d figured would take months before we finally settled on something. The first two venues were nice enough if not totally thrilling. We wanted for more.

We booked the third place we looked at.

Sure, we could have waited, we could have taken our time, but you should believe me when I tell you that this had to be it. I saw it in Mina’s face from the moment we set foot in the place. Without giving too much away, sadly there will be no chicken parm or gabagool at our reception. You can’t always get what you want but trust me when I say that I believe it will be an incredible affair despite that.

While I was a little nervous about making this decision so quickly, I reminded myself that just weeks prior I made a much larger decision that also defied the generally prescribed timeframe. And so my apprehension soon subsided. I knew very early on that Mina was the person I wanted to share my life with and so this must be the place.

Anyway, I was getting hungry. And no one likes me when I’m hungry, so we decided to have lunch at Metro Diner in East Brunswick. I’d never been and so I perused the menu until I came across this:

Well, that settled that. I opted for 99 cent upgrade to a side of onion rings because I will never not do that when the opportunity presents itself. I go outside and have a quick cigarette and soon after my return our food arrives.

Hmmmm. The bread is definitely thick cut, but I think they’re reaching with the “Italian” part. That shit is white bread. Texas Toast at best. Still, I’m willing to forgive if the sandwich is good enough.

Ok. It was good. Chicken was a decent thickness, cheese melted just right, a perfect amount of inoffensive sauce. The onion rings were on the money too, the family Soprano would have no doubt approved.

I’m still confused about the bread thing but I’ll let it slide. I just booked my wedding and I’m really excited about the whole thing. I’m obsessing over certain very specific details and Mina is being a great sport about it all. Here’s hoping she still wants to marry me in 15 months!

As for the lack of parm at the wedding proper? It is what it is. Besides, there’s always the rehearsal dinner!