Paige Drummond's Surprise Engagement Party

Paige thought she was going out to a special dinner with her roommates since their lease was up and they all were about to move out of the apartment they've shared in Dallas. Instead, her friends "conveniently" drove by a beautiful park (where David was waiting) and kicked her to the curb! So sweet. (More engagement photos to come!)

Our immediate family was hiding out in our cars on a side street, and once we could see the coast was clear (i.e. the engagement had happened), we headed down to congratulate them. At this point, I think Paige was still a little on the stunned side. 😂

Paige and David stayed behind at the park to take some more photos together, while the rest of us (Ladd, me, Paige's siblings, and David's family) high-tailed it to a top-secret location, where a special gathering of friends and family were waiting. I would like to state for the record that it was 101 degrees in Dallas at this moment, and before Ladd and I headed to the party, we looped around and dropped off some paper towels for David. (Why do I always have a roll of paper towels in my car?)

David has picked out the venue for the party---a rooftop bar next to an old theater. Alex and I had told him we would help him organize details for the party because we survived the great wedding of 2021 and a small engagement party seemed like a pure pleasure to help with, haha.

One of Paige's best friends, Anna, works in events in Dallas and hooked Alex and me up with a planner who helped us wrangle and set up all the details. Alex mostly coordinated...and would you like to hear what I picked out? Yes. The food. Ha. I always want to pick out the food!

At this point, it was close to 7 pm and I think it was 178 degrees on the rooftop. So these ranch waters were lovely and refreshing! Here's a fun tip: Use Tajin (chili-lime) seasoning on the rims of your cups when you're making margs or Ranch Waters! So delicious.

Paige was so excited to see her friends, and they all just huddled in a big circle of love and friendship and excitement. I think Paige was a little choked up, and then I got choked up. Then I looked at my sister Betsy and she got choked up. And then it was a domino effect.

Paige, by virtue of being the second child (and second daughter), has happily enjoyed all of Alex's celebrations, from her and Mauricio's engagement and wedding to their recent news about expecting their first baby. So it was fun for Paige to be front-and-center of some big ol' news.

My dad and Patsy flew down to Dallas for the weekend. They wouldn't have missed it! I was glad they flew, as the drive to Dallas is not for the faint of heart and you have to fight for your life with those Texas drivers. (Kidding, Texas friends!) Anyway, I was so glad they both took the time to come.

For those of you who have read my blog through the years, you may be shocked to see this young man sitting in this photo. It's Elliot, also known as the baby I blogged about back in 2008 when he was born. He just turned sixteen. WHAT?!?

I have this exact photo of Sutton on Alex's wedding day, when Alex first appeared in her dress. So much sweetness, innocence, and wonderment. I love this child!

Ladd gets to see Tim all the time since they've been working hard on the ranch all summer, but Missy and I are always like two ships passing in the night. So we rely on family happenings and get-togethers to be able to see each other! I love these two.

Our nephew Stu was there!! He flew down from Chicago, where he now lives and works, to congratulate the happy couple. I miss Stu so much since he's moved on to full-blown adulthood, and I loved that he was able to be here. Considering Paige has Stu to thank for her life, his presence was fitting. (When Stu's mom gave birth to Stu, I visited her in the hospital and was overcome with baby fever to the point that I called Ladd on the way home and informed him that I was, in fact, getting pregnant that night. And I did. Was that TMI?)

David has two sets of grandparents - one lives in Texas, the other in Washington - and they all made it in for the party. My mom and dad and their spouses were also there. It made me sad that Chuck and Nan weren't there, and I know they would have loved every minute of it. Chuck loved family get-togethers and Nan and Paige had such a close bond. I hope they were watching. ❤️

You can tell a lot about a man by the way he interacts with the women in his life. David is such a great guy, and has such a sweet, easy manner about him. It's such a mystery how couples find each other, and I'll always marvel at the great match he and Paige make---not just vertically (haha), but in all the other ways that matter.

I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree. I love David's mom, Heather!! She raised a great son, she is hilarious and laughs at herself, and I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, to quote Humphrey Bogart. I didn't get a photo of her husband Rob, but I do need to tell you that we all first met on Fourth of July in Pawhuska, and I incorrectly introduced him to everyone as "Rod." I have had nightmares ever since I discovered the error.