Telling Our Family and Friends

When Chris and I got engaged, we returned home from the Bahamas and posted our news to Facebook for all the word to see and share (you know...as one does to announce all life-changing moments).

This was clearly when Facebook was in it's "simpler" days. No tagging of people in posts, no geotagging, I didn't even attach a picture!!!! What was I thinking?! ;)

Nevertheless, it was an exciting night, and the congratulatory emails, text messages, and phone calls that came in were heartwarming. I tried so hard not to say anything when I called my roommate, Molly, to tell her I was on my way home. She asked how the trip was and I tried to play it cool: "Oh you know, it was fine" before I busted out with "OK I CAN'T HOLD IT IN ANYMORE WE GOT ENGAGED!!!" Molly was obviously super excited for us and waited patiently for my arrival back at the apartment. But I had ruined a potential "in-person" reaction, and I had tried so hard to hold out!

So when I came back to my Astoria apartment, I went downstairs to my neighbors, Bruce and Alisha, to thank them for feeding my fish while I was away, and to reveal to them my new bling. I gathered them in front of me, and with one motion thrust my hand out and waited. I watched as their faces looked down, and together they both realized what I was telling them. They both immediately started screaming at the top of their lungs, lunged forward to hug me, and together the three of us jumped up and down in their kitchen, screaming at the top of our lungs, for a good 10-15 seconds. Unfortunately, I don't see Bruce or Alisha anymore - but those two will forever be engrained in my memory and heart. It was the one and only genuine, in-person reaction I got to my engagement, and it was one I wouldn't trade for anything.

So when Chris and I were faced with this next round of exciting, life-changing news, I knew I wanted to get more of those in-person reactions. Sites like motherglow.com (which had recently become an obsession of mine) gave me inspiration and ideas on how to reveal the news. It's easier with pregnancy because you typically don't share your news with all the world right away. You have time to prepare and tell people at your own pace, without a ring to immediately give you away.

Telling Molly and Mark over Breakfast

As Chris and I revealed our news to our family and friends, I tried my hardest to capture each moment on video, or to at least get the audio of the initial reactions. I learned a LOT as I went along, and got better and better at it with each person. Unfortunately, that means there were a few failed, or even missed attempts at getting some reactions and as a result, I have a few regrets.

Telling my Grandpa

First: I didn't get a video of us telling our parents or siblings. Obviously, they were the first people we told and so this whole thing was just beginning to even process in our minds, let alone theirs. We told them one week after we found out, and I didn't have time to plan anything special or interesting. I barely had time to even convince myself that it was true. Surprisingly, I was ridiculously nervous to tell our families. I was shaking, my heart was racing, and I couldn't even finish my slice of pizza (!!) I don't know why I was so nervous...I just was, and I was only able to get the audio of their reactions. Still, better than nothing.

Champagne Toast the night we told our families

Secondly, I learned that my husband, bless his soul, is not a videographer. Through poor communication and last minute spur-of-the-moment video taking, he manged to stop filming exactly as three of our close friend's reactions were beginning. I'm still baffled...but I digress. At least there are pictures.

The night we told Mandy, Billy and Matt

One reaction I regret not capturing, was my Uncle David, who is a natural jokester. Out at brunch with him and my family I said:
Me- "Hey Uncle Dave! What do you think about being a Great-Uncle this November?"
UD- "This November? Um...I don't know, I don't think that will work for me. What about January or February?"
Me -"Oh...well...it's going to be November, so..."
UD- "Oh! You mean, you didn't consult with me before this was a thing?"
Me - "Haha, no, it's already happened."
UD -"Oh, that's awesome! Congratulations!"

I also regret not recording Chris's brother, who looking back, I don't even know why I didn't even at least get audio for it! We were very rushed to tell him on Easter because people were coming and going and it was hard to find the right time. He was very stunned by the news, and I think almost skeptical at first that we were playing a trick on him. But of course, he was excited and happy.

At a local bar the night we told a bunch of friends

Whether we were able to get everyone's reaction or not, Chris and I have each and every one of them to remember by either on video, or in our hearts. Each one was priceless and amazing in its own right, and we are so blessed to have such amazing and supportive people in our lives. I have a full video (as in 5 minutes long!) of everyone's reactions to share next week, but I made a teaser trailer video highlighting some of them that I will share tomorrow. I'm so happy with how it came out! If you're impatient, like me, and want to view it today....click here.