What a Beautiful Day!

How do I even begin to describe our wedding day?  I think if I tried to say it with words, I would never get something posted - it just wouldn't be perfect enough!  So I'm going to say it in pictures instead...

This is one of my favorites - it captures our happines so well!

Mr. and Mrs. Franck

More pictures to follow as they become available!  A huge thank you to everyone who shared this amazing day with us, in person or in spirit!

Map to the reception

We're planning on adding a map and directions to the reception on the back of the wedding program, but I thought I'd post it here too.

St Mary's Cathederal 25 8th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301 (320) 251-1840
		1. Start out going southeast on 8th Ave S toward 1st St S.Map	0.1 Mi
		2. Turn right onto MN-23 W / 2nd St S. Continue to follow MN-23 W.Map	2.3 Mi
		3. Turn left onto MN-23 E / MN-15 S.Map MN-23 E is 0.3 miles past 33rd Ave If you are on CR-75 N and reach Waite Ave you've gone about 0.4 miles too far	0.2 Mi
		4. Turn slight right onto 2nd St S / MN-23 W. Continue to follow MN-23 W.Map	14.1 Mi
		5. Turn right onto Main St E.Map Main St E is 0.4 miles past Chapel Hill Rd If you reach MN-23 E you've gone about 0.3 miles too far	0.4 Mi
		6. Take the 3rd right onto 2nd Ave N.Map 2nd Ave N is just past 1st Ave N Winners Sports Bar & Grill is on the corner If you reach 3rd Ave N you've gone a little too far	0.2 Mi
		7. Take the 2nd right onto 2nd St N.Map 2nd St N is just past 1st St N If you reach the end of Creek View Dr you've gone about 0.1 miles too far	0.2 Mi
		8. 2ND ST N.Map If you reach the end of 2nd St N you've gone a little too far
	Frogtown Park 2nd St N, Cold Spring, MN 56320

Total Travel Estimate: 17.48 miles - about 23 minutes

My fiance - the AFLAC agent!

Dan received his writing number, so he is now officially and AFLAC agent!  I couldn't be more proud!  And he looks amazing in his suits :)

The RSVPs are in!

Our wedding is less than 8 weeks away, and we are so excited!  We're looking forward to sharing our special day with all of you - those who can be there with us, and those who will be with us in their thoughts and prayers.  We're grateful to all of you for your love, support and friendship!

Remembering Donna

     A little over a year ago, the world lost a wonderful woman - Dan's mom, Donna.  I was blessed to know her for a few months before pancreatic cancer took her from us, and I miss her very much.  Donna made everyone who knew her feel special and loved - almost instantly!  Shortly after I moved to Minnesota, Donna invited me to spend the weekend with her while Dan was at drill - she had found out that my birthday was coming up and didn't want me to spend it alone.  I will always treasure my memories from that weekend and the other opportunities I had to spend time with her.

     After we found out she was sick, Mike (Dan's brother) recorded her telling one of my favorite stories from Dan's childhood.  I wanted to share the video here so that those of us who knew her could remember her together.

Woo Hoo!!!

Dan passed his exam, and he is now a licensed insurance agent in the state of Minnesota!  I'm so proud or my soon-to-be husband!

Leap Day!

According to folklore, on leap day it is acceptable for a woman to propose to a man.  So I proposed to Dan today, and he said yes!!!  What makes it even funner is that this is also the day when many of you will receive your invitations and check out the blog for the first time - welcome!!!  And remember - RSVP ASAP!

99 Days To Go!!!

We're down to double digits!!! 

The Proposal

     Dan asked me to marry him on our one year anniversary of coupledom - September 2nd.  It was a Friday night, and I had to work until 10:30, so I was expecting to celebrate over the weekend.  When I got home, Dan asked if I felt like going for a walk (we often go walking around Lake George after my shift).  I said yes, and when I went into my bedroom to change, I found a huge bouquet of red roses waiting for me.  I thought that this was my anniversary present - I thought it would be at least another year until Dan was ready to get engaged, so his proposal was a HUGE surprise. We went out to the lake and walked a few laps, talking about how great the past year had been - so many big, scary, wonderful changes! Dan asked if I wanted to sit down for awhile and pointed to a bench by the fountain.  We continued talking about how far our relationship had come and how much we cared about each other, and at one point I said something about feeling like we had always been together and not being able to imagine life without him.  He said "I'm glad you feel that way" and he got down on one knee.  As I realized what was about to happen, I started getting dizzy (the park bench was spinning!) but I thought to myself "You have to remember everything about this!"  Dan pulled out the ring, looked up at me with that sweet smile, and said "Sara Meridith Marie Galey, will you join me and be my wife?"  Of course, I said "YES!"  After about half an hour of happy tears, excited squeals and lots of hugs and kisses, Dan ran behind a utility building and came back with another surprise - he had pre-staged another bouquet of roses and a big box of chocolates for me!

     I called my mom to tell her the good news, but it turns out she already knew - Dan had called to ask for her blessing a few weeks before.  Then Dan took me out to Perkins - my favorite restaurant (breakfast served all day - what more could you possibly need?) and we got home, he had a nice bottle of wine waiting for me - we drank the wine and ate the chocolates and talked about our future until the sun came up.  I was so glad that he asked me the Friday before Labor Day weekend so we could have 3 whole days of celebrating, making plans, and being excited and in love :)

Dan was HERE!

Dan and I are big supporters of Newt Gingrich, and I think if you take the time to watch this video, you just may support him as well ;)  What's really cool is that Dan was lucky enough to be part of the cheering crowd!  Check it out and let us know what you think!

Watch live streaming video from theuptake2 at livestream.com

Spoiled by my sweet fiance

I just couldn't resist bragging a little about how sweet my fiance is and how well he takes care of me.  I've been fighting off a cold for the last few days, but Saturday morning I woke up and realized that I had lost - I was sick, and there was nothing to be done about it except rest up over the weekend and try to be ready to go back to work on Monday.  Dan went out and bought every possible medicine and comfort item he could think off!  Pictured here: spicy chicken wrap from Wendy's, Mucinex, Dayquil, chicken noodle soup, Nightquil, Advil, extra soft tissues, and Reese's ice cream bars!  He is so good to me!

Hotel Rooms

I've booked a block of room at the Grand Stay Residential Suites hotel.  The rooms feature a full kitchen, pirvate bedroom, and a living room area with a pull-out couch.  The hotel is within walking distance of the cathedral , as well as downtown Saint Cloud, and it offers a pool, fitness center and free breakfast.  To receive the discounted rate of $99 per night, please book by April 25th and request one of the rooms for the Galey-Franck wedding.

Welcome! 133 days to go!

If you're here, it means you probably got your save-the-date.  Check back here for updates on our ever developing wedding plans!  Feel free to post questions and comments too!