Derailed! (A Love Story)

With all the chaos that is the holiday, we are often so on-the-go that we forget to maximize our quality time spent with family. It seems that everyone puts so much effort into getting back to our central location, Nonnie and Tini's (yes, I do now refer to my parents as Nonnie and Tini) and making Christmas perfect, that we don't really all sit down together until Christmas morning. Planning in advance, the Train decided we wanted to dedicate one pre-Christmas night to spend with each other, doing what we do best, getting stinkin' drunk! Tini is normally the leader of the pack, but he and Nonnie needed some alone time with their new best bud, Claire, so they let us roam the crazy streets of downtown Plano, sans parental supervision. Of course, Danette and Chris were also in tow!

In much anticipation of this night, I even posted on my Facebook:

"A Stanga Train outing. With this many cable cars, one is bound to derail. I just hope it's not the caboose!"

First stop: Kelly's Eastside!

Since the old brick roads of Plano are now on the up and up, you can go bar hopping within one little quaint block. The boutiques are donned in garland and the trees are strung with lights, it's the perfect holiday night out! After a few rounds at Kelly's, we decided to chug along down the street to the Filmore. We simultaneously ordered another round and tabbed out, so we weren't done there quite yet. Chris was conflicted with staying for our final round at the first stop or handling a very important business call, and much unlike the Stanga's, he chose work and promised to meet us at our next destination. With an extra beer on the table, we had a little bit more drinkin' to do before we left. Larry and Molly decided to take a photo op outside with the giant horse statue while we finished up.

Apparently, I was off in my own little world while Danette was trying to get my attention to leave but that was completely unsuccessful. Instead, she got my sister-in-law, Maegan's, attention which in turn got mine, for sure! I hear this high-pitched squeal and suddenly turn around to find Maegan staring at me with a shit-eating grin and trying to rush me out the door. At this point, I am completely confused and Maegan keeps telling me "We've got to go! We've got to go!"

What is going on here? We gather up the boys and walk towards the door. Danette is rushing me, Maegan is rushing me, what the heck, people? Danette says she may be asking for my camera in a few minutes and it finally all clicks.

WHY DO I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS ALREADY???

The boys are still left in the dark, just stumbling behind. As we're approaching the Filmore, Molly suggested we walk a bit further and take a stroll through Haggard Park. This park is a historical part of downtown and has such a quaint small-town feel to it, and is also the scene for all the prom pictures of many generations of Plano East students. It was all Molly's idea to head to the park, which is decorated beautifully for the holidays, including a gorgeous garland-strung gazebo.

Larry was questioning her sanity at this point, because it was freaking cold and why in the world would we want to go to a park when we could drink more? He finally agreed and we continued strolling through the streets. He didn't even need an excuse to get her to the park.

Hook.Line.Sinker!

We pass the Filmore, to which Mark's drunkass states "Hey guys! The bar is back here!" Maegan quickly grabs his hand and whispers for him to shut up and just keep walking. That'a girl!

Both of the brothers are looking at me confused, and I finally silently mouth what is about to happen. They immediately smile and start chuckling as we enter the park. Molly is giving the standard girl-brings-boy-to-hometown-tour of the park and says that everyone takes prom pictures here, especially in the gazebo. Weddings, even! Larry, a guy that is far too keen on a good picture op, wants to snap some shots. At the steps of the gazebo, he asks Molly to walk up with him and she notices there are roses everywhere.

"OMG! It looks like funeral roses. Someone died here."

{Larry was probably second-guessing his decision right then...} He stops her and laughs and urges her to walk up with him.

"OMG! Maybe someone got married here earlier."

{That law degree did not earn her any common sense.}

So they walk up for their picture and she is all basking in how sweet it was for someone to have a Christmas wedding in the gazebo. You know, on a Thursday...

Before she knew it, he was down on one knee asking her to marry him. At this point, Chris jumps out of the bushes with his video rolling. Nice work call, Chris.

Have you ever heard the squeals from a dying pig? I hadn't until last night. We're still not sure if Molly has even said yes, but she her "Are you serious?" and "Are you kidding?" inquiries were about as frequent as a two year old asking 'why?'

{I realize this video is outside my post width, but damnit, I'm still trying to fix all my kinks.}

It was the perfect proposal that completely surprised all of us. I'm still pissed I wasn't let in on the secret until five minutes before hand. One of my favorite parts was how Molly said it was so perfect and that she really loved that all of her siblings were there with her.

...Speaking of siblings. Can we please dedicate one short moment to my eloquent brothers. Now, I realize my language is not all that refined at times, however...

NOTHING says precious little family-centered Christmas proposal like the shouts from the two remedial brothers looking on. An "Oh fuck yeah!" and a screaming "Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye" like someone just busted open the pinata really bring it full-circle for the Stanga Train.

Oh, and we can't forget about Mark's kind gesture to his sister. After Scott went in for his brotherly-hug, Mark approached Molly and put his ear to her belly. No Mark, she's not pregnant. Larry wasn't trapped, he volunteered for his duty!

After we all said our congrats, {and I shed a few tears} we walked our way back up to the social scene where we ordered the finest bottle of champagne they had.

Wycliff.

In wine glasses.

Talk about a headache!

{I swear, Molly does know how to smile normally. She was just completely incapable of doing so last night.}

Hello, red eyes! Hey...I was just so happy!

We ended the night just in time to wake up and head back to Nonnie and Tini's house for a big brunch. It was originally planned as our traditional Christmas brunch so Christmas morning wouldn't be as hectic, however it turned into a celebratory engagement brunch. Pretty good timing, there, 'ole Lar!

And don't you think we didn't take the opportunity to take their first unofficial engagement picture.

So, I guess at the end of the night, I was right. My post on Facebook was a bit foreshadowing and I didn't even know it. One of us derailed. Shit, she damn near jumped off the track and is giving up her Stanga Train namesake.

I've cried a lot in the last 24 hours. I'm just so damn happy for them! ...and the ideas are whirling in this Maid of Honor's head.

EEEEKKK!!!

I'm a Maid of Honor!

And, I couldn't be any more honored than to stand up with my best friend and sister as she starts this journey with a wonderful man.

Congratulations, Molly & Larry.