What does being engaged really mean?

Photography: Mr.Bru I San Diego, California

This topic naturally was discussed during recent coffee catch ups, whatsapp chats and girls night outs. I asked my newly engaged friends what does being engaged really mean to them.. many answered with similar responses while others differed, making each engagement custom. We talked about the happiness and challenges throughout this journey. We shared our unique experiences being newly engaged. Some of us were going through the excitement of getting to live in the same house for the first time with her fiancé, others still haven’t lived together and waiting for after the wedding, others have been living together all ready.. different backgrounds, cultures and responses. 

What does being engaged really mean?

I'll go ahead and start!
To me, being engaged… 

1. Involves a shift both in identity and emotions. 
2. Is a period of major adjustments and transformation.
3. Tradition!
4. Is a time for celebrating love, loyalty, commitment, fidelity, and a promise bringing our exclusive relationship to a top-tier level as a couple and announcing it to the world… while mourning the loss of my last name.
5. Is a unique chapter we get to enjoy calling each other ‘fiance’.
6. Being engaged is when we continuously embrace and practice Wabi Sabi Love. (Thank you to my life coach, mentor and friend; Leslie J. Saul of Hold Thee Onion for introducing me to this concept and tool to carry with us through life) 
7. Its the culmination of finding our soul mate.
8. Its the peace of mind, body and soul we are gifted with. 
9. Its the time where all of a sudden champagne has a new meaning in my life and I try figuring out which will be the best tasting for my bridal shower, bachelorette and wedding toast.
10. Its the months we figure out whether we have a BRIDEZILLA or GROOMZILLA on our hands (Tommaso has won the Groomzilla title in our case)
11. Its the planning we do as an engaged couple to create our plans of building a future together and designing our road map to how we will make these plans happen. 
12. Its the time where we continue dreaming about our fantasy wedding yet become a little more realistic with what is possible and what truly matters most to us with less sparkle, fireworks and horse-carriage entries. 
13. Its the days in which we get to plan our wedding as a couple along with family and our friend Morvarid/wedding planner from Olive + Wheat Designs. 
14. Its a sacred initiation where it brings a mother and daughter even closer
15. The engagement period emphasizes the meaning of promising one another continuos respect, eternal love, compassion, generosity and to cultivate an ever-lasting loving relationship.  

I have slightly tweaked a quote by Barnett R. Brickner saying; “Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate”… to…

“Success during your engagement does not come merely through finding the right fiance, but through being the right fiance”. 

So ladies, lets be good fiances and enjoy this once in a lifetime moment and have a meaningful engagement and a stress-free journey getting to: “I DO”

What does being engaged mean to you? 
Share your comments and I’m sure you’ll inspire fellow engaged ladies. 

​Ciao Bella!
​ Love, Dais

#gettingtoido
​#LoveDais