The Magic of a Long Engagement

I believe that there’s a unique magic in the experience of a long engagement.

So often, there’s a conversation around how engagements should only be so long or women who are simply ready to just be married.

For me, there’s something almost nostalgic or sentimental about the engagement season and I don’t want to wish it away.

It reminds me of those summers when you’re 16 – the days stretch out in front of you, endless and filled with possibility. There’s a certain magic in those moments – when time feels like it’s standing still and you’re caught up in the whirlwind of what COULD be.

Those summers that we wish we appreciated more when we had them.

The Anticipation of What’s To Come

Remember counting down the days until summer break?
The anticipation was quite literally almost too much to handle – that’s almost how it feels when you have an inkling that an engagement is coming soon AND how it feels when you’re counting down to your wedding.

Every day is bringing you closer to that moment that you’ve been planning – almost counting down to the beautiful moment when you finally get to say, “I do.” It’s a countdown filled with dreams and plans, just like those summers when you were planning epic adventures with your friends. The excitement is palpable, and you can’t help but daydream about all the amazing things that are yet to come.

The Beauty of Time

One of the best things about those childhood summers is how time just seemed to slow down.
Every day was an opportunity to just be – to learn, to grown, to live fully in the moment you were in.

A long engagement gives that same gift.

It’s given me the most amazing chance to savor the present and soak in the little moments that make up your love story. It feels like every day, I’m getting the opportunity to retell our love story and tell people what’s led us to this moment, but every day could be the only or last time we do this as fiances and not husband and wife.

We’re growing together as individuals, just like we did in the midst of those lazy summer days.
Like the ways that we’d spend days lost in books, we’re spending time lost in each other and setting ourselves up for the rest of our lives with the best versions of ourselves.

There’s no rush, only the sweet unfolding of time.

Cherishing the Small Moments

There’s something incredibly special about the everyday joys during a long engagement.

It’s in the quiet mornings spent planning your future, the laughter shared over inside jokes, and the comfort of knowing you’ve found your person. These moments are like those perfect summer days when the sun is shining, and everything feels just right.

You’re building memories that will stay with you forever, like the golden haze of those teenage summers that you’ll always look back on with a smile.

The warmth you feel from your partner’s support during this time is like the sun’s rays on your skin during a summer afternoon. It’s constant, unwavering, and fills you with a sense of peace and happiness. The love you share glows and grows, much like the endless sunshine of those summer days. It’s a time to bask in the warmth of your love and let it fill every corner of your life.

The Journey Ahead

As summer winds down, there’s always that bittersweet feeling of looking forward to what’s next. A long engagement is similar—each day brings you closer to your wedding, to the start of a new chapter. It’s exciting and a little nerve-wracking, but you know you’re prepared. Just like how summer readied us for the new school year, this engagement period prepares you for the incredible journey of marriage. It’s a time to dream, to plan, and to get ready for all the adventures that lie ahead.

A long engagement is something to be treasured, much like those endless summers of our youth. It’s a time filled with anticipation, growth, and the beauty of everyday moments. It’s the warmth of love and the excitement of what’s to come. Like the best summers, it’s a period you’ll always look back on with fondness and gratitude, knowing it set the stage for the beautiful seasons of marriage to come.