The Engagement

I am thrilled to announce that Jim and I are expecting….. a son-in-law!!! Until I get around to catching up in person or by phone, I thought I’d get it out via email.

I’m guessing most of you know Katie has been head over heels in love with Fred Laliberte (fondly known as “Freedom Fred”) from Ontario. They met last summer at Fishers Island. We’ve gotten to know him quite well and see why. He’s absolutely fantastic and we’re in love too!

Katie has been Fred-less while working for a family over at FI for the month of July so Fred surprised her by appearing at the beach Friday night for what she thought was a bonfire with friends. While Katie was at work the next day, Fred came by and after breakfast through his tears told us what Katie meant to him and wanted to show her and us how committed he was to their future and asked for our blessing for his proposal and pulled out a lovely bag from Tiffany’s (hands shaking like a leaf) and pulled out her ring to show us. After Fred left, assuming we didn’t know, Katie stopped by with the woman she works for to tell us that Fred was here and was gushing she was so happy. Brianne joked that maybe he’s here to propose and I made some comment that it was way too early and Katie left slightly dejected and not too happy with her mother.

He proposed to Katie the next day (one year anniversary of their first date) in the bird sanctuary by their favorite tree. We have never seen Katie so happy or sure about anything in her life (and we all now how sure she is about so many things). A year ago I would have bet all my money that it would be a good amount of time before she would find someone worthy enough in her eyes to join her in her adventures but then came Fred who just seems to make her shine even brighter!

Katie will be home mid-week and then going to Toronto in the next few weeks to explore job possibilities and get settled. I think they’ll start thinking about a wedding once they know where they’re going to plant themselves. I do think a Fishers Island wedding will be explored for sure. We’re hoping to meet Fred’s family soon. We love the fact that he thinks the world of them. He told us he was struck by the idea to go to Tiffany’s to look at rings and found the one he liked and planned on bringing his brother and two sisters by to see it before he purchased it but woke up the next day more determined so he went back and bought it sooner than later.

Speaking of other family, Jimmy leaves tomorrow for four weeks for more Marine training in North Carolina, then home around 8/26ish for a week and then out to Missouri for 12 weeks. So he’ll be back in mid-November to continue weekend Reserves. At this point he’s still planning on continuing college but at UConn branch in January. I am so thankful he was here to see all of this unfold. He’s quite happy to finally have a brother!

Colleen is gearing up for the production of Les Miserables at L.P. this coming weekend and next. This is definitely a show worth going to if you have the time. The talent of these kids (up to 23 years old) is amazing and it will come close to a professionally staged show. Fred is scoring big points with Colleen because he’s timing the pick-up of Katie so they can see her show.

I was sitting on the beach by myself on Saturday watching Daddies walk their little girls on the beach and it seems like just yesterday Jim and I (8 months pregnant with Katie) were taking a picture on FI beach writing “see you in September Baby Katie or Danny”. Every summer it evolved…diapered baby on the beach turned into bathing suits, sun hats and sand castles then grumpy teenager to bikinied young woman and now evolving into a married woman! What’s the commercial…Life comes at you fast.

So…. that’s our exciting weekend at Fishers Island. For everyone that heard me complain that because of all of our commitments we were squeezing in a 12 hour family vacation, it certainly turned out to be our best to date.

Peace and happiness!!!
MB