Dear Daniel

*Warning: Please excuse the extreme mushyness ahead.*

;)

Dear Daniel,

I know it's only been about four months since we started dating, but I feel like I have spent some of the best moments of my life with you.

The long awkward silence when we met for the first time...but then we ended up talking for hours for the rest of the weekend.

You sending me "snow" for my birthday.

Ice skating by The Bean in Millennium Park in Chicago.

Seeing Chicago and kissing you from the top of the John Hancock Building.

You teaching me how to make latte art and the giggles that ensued.

You waiting for me and hugging me at the end of my first half marathon.

Stuffing our faces at Paula Deen's Restaurant on Valentine's Day.

Sharing my favorite coffee shop, Coffee Underground, with you.

(Coffee Underground)

Sitting in a swing by the Reedy River and talking about the future.

Watching the sunset from Caesar's Head.

Dancing with you at your cousin's wedding in Charleston.

Still getting butterflies when I look at you...

Thanks for sharing in our adventures! It's been a wonderful journey so far!

I love you.

Making Memories

While I was in Milwaukee, Daniel and I visited Alterra, the coffee shop where he works. I, of course, walked out with a pretty cup and saucer and a t-shirt.

The bag they were placed in had such a pretty design that I didn't want to throw it away, and it was a fun keepsake from my trip. However, I didn't want a random bag just sitting around in my room.

So I decided to make it the background for one of my favorite pictures from the trip!

I bought an inexpensive 5x7 frame from Target and cut the portion of the bag without writing to fit. I then printed the picture from my computer slightly smaller, glued it to the bag, and put it all in the frame.

Here we are at The Bean in Chicago!

:)



Chicago, Chicago!

During my trip to Milwaukee, Daniel and I drove down to Chicago to spend a day exploring with my aunt and cousin.

We met them in Millennium Park and went ice skating!

(I am not the best ice skater by any means. Daniel had to drag me away from the wall. I consider it a successful outing if I don't do a face plant.)

Daniel's "Man Pose" on ice...

...and by The Bean.

We all tried the Man Pose...and I ended up giggling.



I think this picture from Giordano's needs little explanation other than yummy.

This picture from the Hershey's store needs no explanation at all.

We waited until after dark to visit the observatory of the John Hancock building, and the views were gorgeous!

I'm pretty sure I have a sixth sense when it comes to finding H&M stores, and I just have to go in when I find one because we don't have one in Greenville. So there it was - on the Magnificent Mile - calling my name. Cue my "I'm-really-sorry-you-have-to-go-shopping-but-we're-going-in face" to Daniel, and a happy hour was spent buying a cozy sweater and pretty dress while the boys tried on goofy hats.

And apparently Daniel has a modeling career in his future. Pretty good, no? ;)

We later went on a carriage ride!

Ahh, the perfect ending to a very lovely day!

:)

Chocolate Milk. Oh, and Milwaukee.

I'm back from my trip to Milwaukee!

(And a trip this weekend to Augusta to play with the symphony.)

Daniel and I had a great weekend together exploring Milwaukee!

He picked me up from the airport, and during the car ride to his house he told me that there was a present waiting for me in the refrigerator. (Wait, what?)

Yes! Chocolate milk! He apparently read this post, and there was chocolate milk waiting for me.

He's a keeper, right?

That night we went downtown to dinner and the symphony, where we saw one of my favorite violinists, Itzhak Perlman, play! It was a beautiful concert!

Here we are all dressed up - and freezing - waiting for the bus.

On Friday, we drove down to Chicago! Lots of pictures to come!

The next day, we went on a tour of Lakefront Brewery. It was a fun time...

...and we met up with a friend of mine from Florida State who is now living in Milwaukee.

By the end of the tour, I was pretty giggly, and Daniel and I tried to take some photos. He and his family often make "The Face" in pictures, and I tried...and failed. It's hilarious!

On Sunday, we made some yummy breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and some real bacon...

...and drove around Milwaukee for a bit looking at some huge houses, including one by Frank Lloyd Wright. (At one point, I wanted to be an architect, and I love Wright's architecture!)

We stopped for some coffee at Alterra, the coffee shop where Daniel works, and I ended up buying a cute mug and a t-shirt. (I have a thing for coffee mugs. And teacups. And t-shirts.) I also had my first taste of chai - so yummy!

There happened to be a yarn shop across the street...more on that later. Let's just say that if there had been more time to shop and more room in my suitcase, my bank account may have been depleted...

So, on Monday, it was time to say goodbye, but we got to hang out again this weekend in Augusta!

:)

You'll Lose the Blues in Chicago

Daniel and I are heading to Chicago this morning!!!

(Chicago Skyline)

This is my first trip to Chicago, and I am super excited!

We, of course, have plans to visit the Bean, among other things...

(The Bean)



...including pizza at Giordano's.

Yum.

(Giordano's)

We're meeting up with my aunt and a friend from Greenville, who are going to show us around the town.

I'll be sure to have pictures when I get back home!

MKE. Brew City. The Wauk.

Yep, I'm heading to Milwaukee today!

(Milwaukee At Night) 

Although when I get there it will probably look more like this...a little frozen over.

(Milwaukee)

I've had my fair share of cold and snow this week, and I'm hoping that I can get out of the South without too many problems!

I'm going up until Monday to visit Daniel, and I am so excited!!! We haven't seen each other in over a month now!

We have plans to see Lake Michigan, drink coffee, travel to Chicago, visit the Milwaukee Art Museum, go on a brewery tour, and go ice skating.

But tonight when I get there, we're going to see Itzhak Perlman, one of my favorite violinists, play with the Milwaukee Symphony!

(Itzhak Perlman)

What to wear to said concert in frigid temperatures and still manage to look cute is a bit of a head scratcher, but I'll figure it out. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get back!

Have a great day everyone!

:)