Nickels.. . Dimes and Dates... . Times

Dear God, 

It's me Maxine... .. and I don't know where to start!?

6 miles of violent running, 1 cupcake, 1 Chick-Fil-A sandwich inhaled with waffle fries and a small oceans worth of polynesian sauce, and a mild anxiety attack later... .I think I'm ready to get this show on the road. I was under this naive impression that all I had to do was say "yes" and EVERYTHING else would automatically come to fruition. NOTHING in life works that way so of course it was completely logical of me to assume that planning a wedding would be so effortless. 

Yesterday my incredibly attractive fiancee and I met up with our very talented, artsy-fartsy, chaco wearing, red-headed friend, Sarah-Cate Buckner for round 1 (of 57) of engagement photos. What we thought would be a brief and informal rendezvous turned out to be an obscure and extensive 5 hour photo shoot. Candler Mansion in Decatur was our first destination. . . ....we were incredibly disappointed to find that the rustic, abandoned chateau had  already been converted into a church (y'know... .as opposed to a crack house) but we made due with what we had. From there we ventured to the North Avenue bridge to capture some city scape and midtown madness, after which we indulged in The Varsity (natures laxative) and then back to Historic Norcross to play on the train tracks and attempt to off-set brick structures with polka-dots and polos. I have to take a second to advertise my very close and genuine friend-- She has an incredible artistic eye and the ability to capture more than just a cheesy-unoriginally posed photograph (although we did take some, it's obligatory). Aside from the fact that she's oozing with talent and vision, she's very fairly priced and incredibly fun to work with. We are counting seconds until we get the finished results which unfortunately won't be for another week or so (did I mention that she's quick and efficient?!) but from the sneak peek preview we got before parting ways--- these are going to be some monumentally incredible pictures. Boogers, ring-pops, pockets, and trespassing. Really, you wouldn't expect anything less.. . .would you?  In other wedding-related news.. ..we might have found our venue! We're thinking... ..

 Feast your hungry eyes on Greystone @ Piedmont Park. Clearly we wouldn't utilize the entire building... .but you get the jist. The ceremony could be held either doc-side facing Lake Clara Meer or somewhere inside. We love Atlanta and there's something about the ambiance of Piedmont Park that is captivating. You can't beat the skyline existing in harmony with the green grass. Of course we are looking at other options as well but so far this is one that Zach and I both agree is pretty awesome. Our plan is to visit this week/end to check out the facility-- cross your fingers that it's available on the date we've not-so-strategically selected. Stay tuned for more details on the venue.. . .we would love input/suggestions... . .

In between Zach juggling being a Georgia Tech hot-shot/a Porsche expert and me juggling being a legitimate "adult" (whatever that means.. .) we're escaping to the beach this weekend after we see our good friends get married. Our next post will be full of photographic fun... . start counting seconds.

-Zach + Maxine

Our Story is Better than a Fairy Tale.. . .It's Real

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This is the story of boy (Zach) meets girl (Maxine). Or, girl meets boy. Or, boy strategically plans for girl to become interested in him thus manipulating her into making the first move. Either way, this IS a love story.


We wanted to create a blog so that we can effectively communicate with our friends and family (yes, that would be you) as we start our life together. So, this first entry is introductory. It's the beginning; where is this going!?, butterflies in your stomach, anxious eye contact, sweaty hand holding and of course a clumsy first kiss--- the middle; butterflies in your stomach, anxious eye contact, sweaty hand holding, and well, we got over the clumsy kissing-- and now here we are at a new beginning; butterflies in your stomach, anxious eye contact, sweaty hand holding, and a sparkly rock and life-long commitment. It's interesting. The only thing that's really changed between Zach and I over the past year-ish is that we continually become closer, cheesier, and love each other more as seconds past. Our hands still sweat, we still get so excited about each other that we forget to breathe, we bat our eyelashes at each other like it's the first date, on every date. Okay, so maybe it's just me who does the batting but can you blame me?! In short, and I do mean short, James Zachery McClure is my best friend, both my motivation and inspiration as well as the love of my life. And this is how it started.. . .


The Beginning.. . . ...
Let's all hop in our time machines and travel back to June-- err, May-- err, sometime in 2009. Or was it 2008? Kristi (Zach's model-gorgeous sister) and I met at a birthday get together and consequently became Facebook friends. Some odd months later, whilst flipping (stalking) through her pictures I came across a photo of her next to this painfully handsome brown-eyed boy with a soul-warming smile. It didn't take long to figure out that it was her brother (Zach! Are the pieces falling together yet?)-- and I couldn't resist commenting on his good looks. Of course, Zachery sees said comment and files my name away in his brain along with the other 57,000 girls who were pursuing him. Fast forward to November of 2009. Zach is in a studio class at Georgia Tech with one of my very best friends (Carly Hansen). After what was probably a substantial amount of facebook stalking on HIS end, Zach had made the connection that Carly and I knew each other. Casually, because Zach NEVER does anything in an "uncool" manner, he drops my name and gages her reaction. Carly informs me that "this guy named Zach in my studio class knows you. He said you're friends with his sister? Maxine he's so cute. Oh! AND HIS CAR! And, his name is Zach. C'mon! I think it's Zach Mc.. . " It took me all of 15 seconds to hop on the computer and send him a message. Something to the effect of, "apparently you know me... " A simple "hello" turned into novel length messages DAILY, to the point where facebook could no longer handle the capacity of our conversations. After a few weeks of internet-talk-therapy I gave him my number in a "how do ya like 'dem apples" kind of way. Our first date led to a series of 2am photo sessions in 40 degree weather, hanging out until 6am doing NOTHING but talking, laughing and reveling in the unexpected, and the possibilities of what could come next. In an emotional discussion freakishly early in our relationship, we admitted how strongly we felt for one another and since then it's been a snowball of adventures and bliss.


The Middle.. . .(more specifically, the build up + the proposal)
Now fast forward 8 months-ish. The Peachtree Corners Ward (the church where Zach's parents attend) release a false statement that Zach and I are engaged. After a weekend of failing to avoid the relentless questioning--"WHEN ARE you getting engaged?!"-- Zach and I were both a little exasperated. We'd decided long ago that we saw a happily ever after in one another but we were trying to pretend like we were in no rush. Not to mention, Zach was pretending to have no money on account of his new home in midtown.. . he even went to the lengths of purchasing an XBOX and then returning it the following day because "I'm so broke!" I wasn't expecting a proposal for a loooooooong time. In an effort to cheer my lil' bug up after such a weekend, I picked up a ring pop on the way over to his house and semi-jokingly proposed to him. Sugar and diamonds/PotatoE PatatO. He laughed at me and I declared, "you don't take me seriously!?!?" 
My birthday was rapidly approaching and we'd had a few discussions about what to do. I had begged him not to spend much on my gift. So when the big day (August 20) arrived, I popped over after work and he showered me with a Nike Plus (to support my obsessive running), a home made card and CD and a few tubes of my favorite chap stick. He had made reservations at a nice place in Midtown for dinner but after some coordination with 4 of our close friends we decided on a casual dinner, comedy show and trip to East Andrews. Sounds good, Right? It would have been. After (im)patiently waiting for 1.5hrs outside of Tin Lizzies in the pouring rain, we decided to try our luck at Taco Mac which threatened us with only a 30 minute wait (plus another eternity for our food). Roughly 4 hours later, everyone was cranky, sleepy, and annoyed so we decided to part ways. Zach and I arrived back at his house and Pout Fest 2010 ensued. Zach mischievously looks at me and tells me that he has another birthday present for me and that, "you're gonna be mad at me!" I immediately become interested. Until I see him pull out a ring pop. I think to myself "of ALL the times you pick to mock/make fun of me...THIS is it!? SERIOUSLY!? SERIOUSLY!? NOW!?" Zach attempts to open the packaging when I notice that he's violently shaking and seems to be having a ridiculous amount of trouble opening said ring pop-- My sarcasm kicks in and I start GRILLING him, mainly because when I "proposed" to him I had the same issues with that dang wrapper! He stops for a second and says "Are you going to take me seriously?" I'm sure I rolled my eyes at him and wondered what in the world he was talking about. I glance down and realize THAT AIN'T NO CANDY. James Zachery McClure was there in front of me on one knee holding a beautiful diamond ring. I'm pretty sure I slapped my hand over my face and buried my face in a near by pillow. When I recovered from the wave of disbelief he asked, "Maxine, will you marry me?" 


So. Here we are. Exactly where we want to be.


We are SO appreciative of the endless love + support that we continuously receive from all of you-- our family + friends have been so fun to share in the excitement. I'm sure we'll be planning a get together sometime in the near future, once we catch our breaths and Zach has unpacked his new home. 


I promise NEVER to write a blog this long again. But stay tuned for updates on our wedding planning.... .as of now JUNE 24, 2011 is the date we're looking to book for. We'd love to personally share every detail of our journey down the aisle with everyone on an individual basis but there simply aren't enough hours in the day.. . so, follow us here. I'm sure we'll update frequently with photos and progressions.

This is my PERFECT princess cut engagement ring & one of two wedding bands. Zach picked it out with NO help from me. It's a beautiful set. Make sure you put your sunglasses on before you ask to see it... ..




-Zach + Maxine