Week Thirteen ~ Missy

Him: Casey

Her: Missy

Married: August 1, 2003

Mt. Timpanogos Temple, American Fork, Utah

Where do you currently live:

Omaha, Nebraska

Children:

Riley, Age 5

Ryan, Age 3

Cooper, Age 10 months

What is the first thing that attracted you to him?

It was the way that he always put others first. He is a great listener and was always willing to be there for people when they needed someone to talk to. I also liked that he could throw farther than me :)

How do you like to spend your free time together?

We both really love playing sports and we like to watch movies together. We are also pretty geeky and love to play video games together :) On my first birthday after we got married he got me a Gamecube. It was perfect!

What is your best marriage advice?

To always put each other first. Have fun together. Say “I love you” everyday!

love story:

Casey and I met while we were both attending Brigham Young University. We lived in an apartment complex called The Elms. We kind of knew each other just from seeing each other around our building and we were also in the same ward. The first time we really spent time together was during the summer of 2002. Casey had invited me to go and see a movie that was being shown outdoors at a High School football field. We went with a large group of people, and I remember spending most of the time with his roommate. I had fun with Casey, but we didn’t start dating right away. Casey and I became pretty close friends, but he and I continued to date other people. I remember always being able to talk to Casey about anything, and he was always there for me. My whole summer was spent hanging out with Casey, yet we never dated each other until just before school started. Our friendship continued to grow until we realized just how much we meant to each other. I knew that I loved him and he would always be my best friend. We started dating in September and dated throughout the whole school year.


engagement story:


We got engaged the summer of 2003. I remember going with Casey to look at rings. That was so fun! We looked at a lot of different stores and I tried on a lot of different rings so we both could get an idea of what I liked. I was excited for the “official” engagement but I didn’t know when he was going to propose.


Casey made plans one day to take me to Salt Lake for a date at temple square. We both dressed up nice and he took me to eat at the Garden restaurant in the Joseph Smith building. I just knew he was going to ask me that night! We had dinner, we walked around temple square, then he lingered at my doorstep when he dropped me off at my apartment...but nothing. No proposal. I was so mad, haha {not really}! The next day he took me to a park for a picnic. We ate lunch and talked, then we went for a walk. We stopped on a bridge and he got down on one knee. I was so excited! He got out the ring, and then it slipped out of his hands and fell into the river! We both ran to the side of the river to try and find the ring. That is when he took my hand and got down on his knee. He pulled out the real ring and asked me to marry him! He’s lucky I said yes, j/k :)


Our life together:


We spent the first two years of our marriage in Utah. We had our first child, Riley, in October of 2004. When Riley was about 8 months old we moved to Omaha, Nebraska so Casey could attend Law school at Creighton University. While living here in Omaha we have had two little boys, Ryan and Cooper.
My life with Casey has been amazing! He is a wonderful father and husband. It seems like I love him more now than I did when we first got married. I love being married to my best friend and I’m excited to see what the future holds for us!

*****
Missy is Nate's older sister....so that makes her my sister too!  And I love her and Casey like family!  I remember when I met Missy, she was VERY pregnant with Riley!  Nate & I went to visit them in the hospital when they had her, and I will never forget watching Nate hold baby Riley. 
 
I'm going to brag about Missy for a moment...  She is gorgeous.  Like insanely gorgeous.  The entire Wood family is....  Missy is also just plain awesome.  She threw javelin for BYU....we got to watch one of her meets....and she was awesome even after having a baby!!  I don't think I could even lift a javelin, let alone chuck it further than the rest of my competition!!  She's an amazing mother.  Her children are her life.  I truly look to her as an example.  And finally, she's a smartie pants....she designed her own blog background/accessory site, so be sure to check her out at Lilly Puff!
 
Haha, I don't think I'd heard the fake ring story!  That's hilarious!  Casey is awesome.  He's a lot of fun to talk to and laugh with.  Love you guys!!  Hope we get to see you SOON!!!

Week Twelve ~ Lesley

Meeting a guy is always difficult, finding a husband is...not sure what word to use there. I'll leave it up to the readers Becca. Our story begins in January of '89. I had just joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints a week before and was going to my first YSA conference at the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Stake Center. Just a note, I thought when the missionaries said stake center I thought they meant STEAK center. Needless to say, I prepared myself for an evening of chowing down. What a surprise I got when I found out there were no steaks but a "get-together" of young people my age. Just for the record, I was studying for exams while investigating the church and didn't really pay attention to the name of buildings, lol! Anyway, the Friday night of the conference, I was asked by some random person to draw Prince Charming and his Princess because that was the theme for the weekend...finding your Prince or Princess, aka, eternal companions. Now let me jump right in here and tell you a little something about myself so you can understand my thoughts on the whole "fairytale" idea. I was a 23 year-old university student and a single parent to a beautiful 3 year-old little girl. I was determined to make my own way into the "big, bad world". I had dreams of buying my own home with no intentions of getting married or having anymore children. I also wanted to be financial secure by the time I was 35. Okay, so those of you who know me, go ahead and have a good laugh right about now. For the ones who don't, you'll understand as you read on. Anyway I was right on track and then I became a member of the church. That Friday night at the conference, a young man came up to me in the empty cultural hall, introduced himself as Darren Fraser and asked what I was doing. I didn't think much of him and barely gave him a glance. Little did I know that, that was a very difficult thing for him to do since he was very reserved. He asked if I was going to the dance the following night, at which I replied, "I wasn't sure"(I had a boyfriend)...fast forward to Saturday. The missionaries had found me a drive and so off I went to the "Ball". There were no words to describe my reaction when I saw the nondescript young man from the night before. He was HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!! Apparently he had just returned home from Hawaii where he had finished serving a mission the year before and had gone back to date all the girls he couldn't date while on his mission, lol...YEAH, you read that right. Let's just say he got my attention. I forgot in that instance that I had a boyfriend and thought only of getting HIS attention. I did what any woman would do under the circumstances, I made my self noticeable. I stayed within his sights the whole night and made sure he could see me talking and laughing but not quite within hearing distance. Before the night was over, I had the last two dances with him and he had asked for my phone number. That was the start of a beautiful friendship. I still had a boyfriend and Darren had some sort of understanding with a girl in Hawaii. He lived an hour away from me so whenever he was in town, we would see a movie, strictly as friends. Sometimes my boyfriend babysat while we went out. I know, I know, CRAZY! During this growing friendship, I became more involved in the church, learning more about it and made the commitment to be married in the temple. So much for my well-laid plans, lol! I remember telling my mom that I would be getting married in the temple and that she had to prepare herself to be able to go. I was the only membor in my family. As time went by, I also realized that my boyfriend and I were going no where fast and decided to end our relationship. We had been together for 2 years and even though we knew it was going to end it was still rather painful. I remember crying and called Darren just to talk to someone. It was the first time I had ever called him and to this day couldn't tell you why I did. During our phone call, we were experiencing a really bad storm and sometime after my conversation with Darren I received a phone call from him letting me know he had tried to drive out to see me because I was so upset but it was too stormy and he had only gotten halfway and had to turn back. This is just a small insight into the kind of man he is. Anyhow, he then told me he would be coming to see me in a couple of days because he had something serious he wanted to discuss with me. I was a little worried after that. The day arrived and I was pretty nervous, though not sure why. Needless to say I was shocked when he propsed to me and YET, I found myself saying YES! This was only 5 days after I had ended my last relationship. Thank goodness Darren took one look at me and told me that he couldn't accept an answer right away. I had to pray about it first. He then left my home and I didn't see him again for 3 weeks. During that time I prayed faithfully and still, I didn't receive an answer. I was actually freaking out at the thought of hurting my friend by rejecting him. Sometime after three weeks, I received a phone call from him telling me he was coming to town. I started to panic...what was I going to do? Not long after, I heard the doorbell and with dread, dragged myself to let him in. I actually thought of not answering it but being a coward wasn't my style, so I squared my shoulders and mentally prepared myself. I opened the door and took one look at him and fell, "truly, madly, deeply" in love with him. Corny I know, but totally true. I had received an answer to my prayers and again said yes when he asked a second time. We became engaged and started dating immediately. I learned many things about the man who was to become my best friend and husband. I remember him telling me that if I ever felt for any reason that I could not go through with the wedding, even if it was at the Temple doors, I was to tell him because he didn't want me to do something I wasn't sure of. He patiently answered all my questions and even taught me to love the game of hockey, lol! I remeber telling him about my childhood which had not been pleasant for me and about my life before joining the church. I thought he would have changed his mind about marrying me but instead he told me how he knew that person didn't exist in me and the woman he was marrying was the person he had been waiting for all along. Eight months was a very long time, too long it seemed. However we were married December 04, 1990 in the Brampton, Ontario Temple. For so long I had told myself that I never wanted to be married and have more children but that all changed when I chose to take a different path and follow the Saviour. That path led me to this moment, one I hope I'll never forget. This year will be our 20th wedding anniversary and in the space of those years, we have raised 6 beautiful children, celebrated many milestones in our lives. We look forward to reaching more of them in the future as the children grow up. Life has not always been a walk in the park for us especially with having such a large family. However we have trusted each other and our strong faith to get us through the difficult times. Marriage is not an easy thing and it's not always the popular choice these days, but life has been fuller and more meaningful than if I had been raising my child alone with a secure income. I couldn't have asked for a better friend, father or eternal companion. After all these years he still waits for me to sit down and take the first bite of the meal before eating his. He open doors for me and surprises me with flowers he picks himself. While I was pregnant, he only missed one doctor's appointment with all our babies and when I craved ice he would bring me home snow cones after work, even if it meant leaving all the windows down and no heat in the car(I was always pregnant during the cold months). As of 3 months ago, we were blessed to have had our first grandchild welcomed into the family and so now we begin another chapter in our lives. The real secret to marriage, is to constanly fall in love over and over again as if it's the first time but with the same companion.

*****

Thank you Lesley!!  Those pictures are CLASSIC, and they totally made my day!  Awesome.  Darren looks like the lead singer from an 80's band, haha (even Nate agreed with me on that one)!!  No wonder you were so smitten!

Lesley is easily one of my most favorite people I know.....and we've never met!  Over the past few years, we have logged hours and hours of emailing, FB chats, bloggy-ness, and webcam chats.  So fun!  For some reason (that I still don't really understand), we clicked and became close, close friends.  We have talked about things that we don't talk about to other people.  I can't count the number of times that we've both said, "You know what, I've never told anybody this before...."  For whatever reason, we trust each other like that.  We know things about each other that only our hubbies know (haha, my lips are sealed, Lesley!).  We have had amazing conversations about the Gospel.  We've cried together.  When I need advice or am having a hard time with something, I immediately go to Lesley, and she always knows JUST what to say.  I look up to her so so much.  I love you, Lesley!!!!!

Your family is gorgeous.  You have such a beautiful life, and I'm so glad you have a husband like Darren.  Someday I will meet you both, and I can't wait! 

Sorry LSS readers.....no story this week! 

So I'll just give those of you who have signed up a reminder to get your stories in to me EARLY!  I send out reminder emails the week before, but it's always safest to get your stories to me as early as you can so we don't have a week with no story again....sad! 

Also, our list is getting shorter....so please be sure to let me know if you want a week!!  Otherwise you will just end up hearing more from me!!

So....just to give us something to read, leave a comment and tell us:  How long was your engagement??

Week Eleven ~ Erin

Him: Brandon

Her: Erin

Where do you currently live? A basement apartment in Sandy, UT

Children: Aiden 2 yrs. old, Lucas due April 5th

When/ Where Married: Aug. 20th, 2005 Salt Lake Temple

What is your best marriage advice?

Pray together and laugh together a lot!

What first attracted you to him?

His enthusiasm for life and the fact that I finally found a guy in whom chivalry was not dead!

How do you like to spend your free time together?

LOL, honestly we spend our free time sitting side by side at our computers...When we aren't doing that we are usually cuddling or watching a movie together.

How did you meet?

On a blind date set up by our friend Adam.

Love story:


Her version
Once upon a time there was a young damsel in distress named Erin Ferguson. She was in distress because even though she went on the occasional blind date, there was not a single boy who would ever ask to take her to lunch, dinner, or out on a date. You see, she was distressed because she thought college to not only be a time of study, learning, and homework, but that it also ought to be a time for dating, meeting new people, and inevitably at some point meeting a knight in shining armor to carry her away on his white stallion. Little did she know what the road ahead held for her...


Our young damsel had a few months previous, run into an old friend named Adam at the Salt Lake Temple baptistry. It seemed odd to her to see her friend in this setting because previously he had been a drum circle, doing my own thing, kind of guy. Nevertheless, the two started to keep in touch with one another on a somewhat sporadic basis and one day she e-mailed him saying, "If you know any cool guys who'd like to go on a date with a fun girl, let me know."


Well Adam e-mailed her back and said, "The only cool LDS guy I know that is single is my roommate Brandon good man, your age, and a return missionary from the Chicago Mission… I should hook you up if you want to sometime!" And that is exactly what happened. The fair damsel asked Adam to have his roommate call her (she refused to call him because she had always made the most effort in past relationships and was tired of it.) so that they could plan a date to Pioneer Theater's production of James Joyce's The Dead .


Here is where our knight in shining armor, Brandon, enters the plot. Brandon called our damsel on February 16, 2005 to make arrangements for their date. After this call our damsel wrote this in her journal, "I had a lot more on my mind but a boy called and it was a good talk and everything else faded into the background a bit and so I am going to go to sleep with this feeling of anticipation forth right in my mind. :) Goodnight. Brandon seems cool."


Our knight called again a few nights later on February 20th and our damsel then wrote this in her journal, "I spoke with Brandon again today. Very cool guy thus far. Outgoing, friendly, funny, personable and I get the sense, just an overall good guy. Brandon Wilhelmsen. Kind of funny, I was waiting for Adam to call me with Brandon's # and he called instead and when I was thinking of asking about church he asked first...Also, I was thinking about mission stuff on our first call and never did and he just brought it up which was cool and I'm trying not to have any expectations or get excited about his coolness. I mean, I guess I'll see how things go on Tues. eh? Oh another thing too, I was going to suggest ice cream or cocoa after and he beat me to it! Bah, though I ought to have asked if I should bring money. I will just in case I suppose. Anyway, I'm not over-analyzing I just think it's cool. I also think it's pretty awesome that he's so outgoing and like, ah, open. We'll see, we'll see. Perhaps Adam does know me well enough to match me up accurately, eh?"


As you can see, even after two phone conversations our fair damsel was amazed at the ease with which she and our knight communicated. She tried not to get her hopes up too much, but needless to say she was already intrigued.


Well, the fateful night when our damsel and our knight met was on Tuesday February 22, 2005. Our knight arrived before fair Erin's sister, and her sister's date, which left a bit of time to talk one on one. They talked easily, and any awkwardness that one might expect on a blind date, was simply non-existent. The knight in shining armor was fun company and as he opened doors and paid for their after dinner treat our damsel's curiosity grew and she became even more intrigued then she had been previously. To top it all off, the knightinvited the damsel in for a bit of a show and tell. His show and tell made the damsel smile because of the enthusiasm and excitement of the knight.


At the end of the evening our valiant knight took away all question of whether or not he enjoyed the evening by saying, "I'll definitely be calling you again." The result this comment had on the damsel in slightly less distress, was that it made her smile from head to toe, not only as she drove home, but also on into the next day. :)


After this evening our damsel and knight spent time together about once a week, and they continued to correspond by cell phone, and e-mail. The fair damsel enjoyed the knight's company more and more each time they got together and everything little thing she learned about him amazed her more and more to the point where she was in disbelief. Why you may ask? Without fail each time she talked with the valiant knight she found out one more quality, belief, or personality trait that the knight had was similar or exactly like what she wanted in a man. He even had some of the more nit picky traits that while the damsel knew they would be nice to have, were probably not very likely. Chick flicks? Traveling? Similar music taste? Willingness to dance? Knows spanish? Is more childlike than not and yet knows when to be serious and responsible? Wow! Not to mention that she had finally met a man who is a hopeless romantic? "Oh my goodness!" she thought, "this has to be too good to be true! It has too! There's no way this could really be happening." Nevertheless, there right before her very eyes, slowly but surely, our knight was showing her that the man she had dreamed up and dreamed of, but didn't think truly existed, stood right before her very eyes.


Now normally, our fair damsel would be full of worry, fear, and doubt by this point, due to past experiences in her life. However, this time she seemed to know that everything would work out if she just trusted her heart and brought the Lord in as a major player in this relationship. She also felt like Heavenly Father was guiding both her and her knight to ensure that this whole thing went as smoothly as possible. As a result, our damsel kept inviting the valiant knight to activities and as she did so a crush developed and started to grow. :)


Then one memorable day the fair damsel and valiant knight exchanged a series of text messages in which they expressed how great they thought the other was and the next evening on April 7th, 2005 our valiant knight asked our fair damsel if he could call her his girlfriend. She said, yes, and was very giddy! :)


A couple of evenings later on April 9th, 2005 our valiant knight told our fair damsel (no longer in distress) that he loved her and she didn't return the thought. She did however write the following in her journal, "Brandon told me that he loved me tonight. :) I thanked him and explained why I couldn't say it back just yet and explained my deep care for him." He didn't have to wait too long for our fair damsel to return that love for she did so in an e-mail on April 12th, 2005.


Our fair knight and damsel no longer in distress shared their first kiss on April 13th, 2005. Which put the hugest grin on both of their faces! When our damsel got home she wrote the following in her journal, "Oh my gosh sakes! :) He kissed me!!! :) He asked, "Would it be alright if I sent you home with a goodnight kiss," and I said, "Yes," and he KISSED ME! :) Two times! Do you know what? It was such a nice gentle good kiss too and I am grinning like and fool!! :) It is all, every part of it, almost too good to be true and yet, it is true. Every fairy tale bit of it! From beginning to now."


Well, admittedly by the time our fair (and now giddy) damsel met the valiant knights family on April 23rd, 2005 she was in LOVE! Utterly! And she adores her knight with all her heart. So the rest as they say, is history, and our fair damsel and valiant knight will ride off together on his white stallion and their happily ever after will just be beginning.


His story:
Once upon a time there was a youthful knight named Brandon Wilhelmsen. This young warrior was frustrated because he saw other nobles with their shining armor and the fair damsels they attracted. Brandon was well versed in the precepts of chivalry, but had thus far failed to find a suitable damsel to romance and seek marriage with. Maybe the reason lay in the types of ladies he met. Some were too plump, too tall, too short, or too distressed - but more that this, there was never a strong connection with any particular damsel.


Also important to this story is Sir Brandon's young squire, Adam Weiss. In his years as a page, he spent time being trained through a program called Peace Trees. There he associated with many young women who were to become active, beautiful, and noble women. Adam met Sir Brandon while in the graphic design program at Salt Lake Community College. They found a friend in each other and eventually became roommates. Through this time, Sir Brandon would comment to Adam that this date or that date went bad and explain his frustration that though he had shined his armor, no damsels seemed to notice.


One day Adam received an email from Erin Ferguson, one of the damsels from Peace Trees. She asked if he knew any cool guys who might be willing to go out on a date with her. Adam recommended Sir Brandon as a worthwhile option. True to the form of chivalry, the damsel asked that Brandon call her. Adam called upon Sir Brandon, saying that there was a girl available for a blind date and asked if he would like to go. Brandon replied that he would like that. Squire Adam told him, "Good, because I already told her that you are excited!"


Sir Brandon sat on his bed in the evening of February 16th, 2005. He began dialing Erin's number, silently praying that he would not sound nervous and that this damsel would be charming and fun to talk to. During the conversation, the two nobles planned their date to Pioneer Theater Company's production of James Joyce's The Dead. Brandon thought that her voice sounded cute and hoped that she had a face to match. Our young knight was impressed with her based on the ease that they talked. They ended their conversation, and Brandon fell back on his bed, feeling excited about the prospect of a new girl for him to get to know.


The night was February 22nd, and our hero stood before his mirror, freshly showered and dressed. He smiled slightly, partly because he had done his best to look dashing, and also because his excitement for the evening's date was almost tangible. He left his house and made his way to Pioneer Theater. Upon arrival, he saw very few people and decided that he would wait inside the building for this young woman. As he browsed the several paintings that grace the walls of the hall, he spied out on the front steps, the figure of a blonde-haired girl. He thought, "This must be her!" He wanted to give her the impression that he had just arrived, and so he exited a different door and walked a short way around to the front. Walking toward her, he called out, "Are you Erin?" She replied that she was and they began to talk. She was short, with glasses and a pleasant smile. Ok, truthfully, her smile was infectious, and Brandon had a hard time not being interrested immmediately. "Best to not look too eager," he thought. Erin's sister arrived with a friend and the four entered the theater. The play was short, and what it lacked in depth, it won back applause for the Irish dancing and witty humor.


Following the entertainment, the company went to eat at Village Inn. This damsel was silently impressed at Sir Brandon's willingness to pay for their ice cream, and how he began to open up and show his personality. After some friendly conversation, Erin suggested that she drop Brandon by his home, as his 'stallion' was confined to the stables. Her intention was to say goodbye and give in to sleep's call, but when Brandon invited her to "come in and say hi to Adam," she couldn't refuse. After all, he had been a gentleman, and seeing an old friend would be welcome. What ensued was pure silliness. Brandon offered to give a short tour of the house, and while leading her through, couldn't hold back his enthusiasm. He showed her his drum set and guitar and played a bit for her. He played a song from a favorite CD for her. He even showed off his Samurai sword. After all this show and tell, he walked her to her car and bid her goodnight, with the assurance that he would call her. Throughout the evening, Brandon had paid special attention to open doors and be as charming as he could. He was sure Erin had enjoyed their date.


For the next month and a half, Sir Brandon called on this young damsel as often as occasion would permit, and the more he was near her, he began to see new, wonderful attributes that made her irresistible. Her smile was infectious; her eyes sparkled, and her laughter would float softly on the breeze and could illuminate the darkest corner of any room. He began to see her as more than a casual friend. Brandon had been dating several people up to this point, and began to eliminate the other young ladies so that he could focus on courting Erin. By doing so, our valiant knight had set in motion a series of events that would lead him swiftly toward a happy life with a beautiful woman.


Then, on April 6th, these two young nobles told each other how great they felt the other was through a series of txt messages. Sir Brandon was becoming especially enamored with Erin and was feeling so comfortable near her. He was aware that her plans for life would take them different ways, and though all they had was a friendship, this young knight could not bear the thought. The next evening on April 7th, 2005, after a very nice, long talk, Sir Brandon asked Lady Erin if he could call her his girlfriend. She gladly accepted the gesture, and the two were quite giddy.


Brandon knew that he needed to let Erin know of the fullness of his love, and told her on April 9th. The courage of this brave warrior was tested when he said, "Erin, I love you." This damsel answered, "Thanks!" Normally, a young knight would be discouraged; shaken, but because of Brandon's patient understanding nature, he held on for dear life. Luckily, Erin proclaimed her love in an email three days later, much to Brandon's relief. The day following that, The couple shared their first kiss. You might be looking for details, but a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell! Since that time, Sir Brandon and Lady Erin have fallen deeper and more hopelessly in love. The two will eventually marry and share a legendary life and love together. This is the stuff dreams are made of.

 

*****

Brandon is right....Erin has one of the best smiles ever!  I met these two when we moved up here to the U.  They moved shortly after we got here, but Nate & I have always remembered this sweet couple and their adorable little boy!  Thank you for sharing your Love Story! 

 

I love your marriage advice to laugh a lot!  Nate's sense of humor is one of the first things that I liked about him, and he only gets funnier!  I think laughter in a marriage is completely vital to staying best friends and keeping it fun. 

 

Miss you guys!  Erin, good luck with the delivery of your baby coming up, I'm sure he'll be a cutie pie, just like his big brother!