Week Twenty One ~ Emilie

The best first date...EVER.


Let me preface this with some background information about myself. I had a boyfriend in high school for three years. Yes, that's right, three straight years. We broke up near the end of my senior year, and I went crazy with dating after that. However, there was a problem. Guys hardly *EVER* asked me out. I had to do the asking and chasing and what have you. I've even paid for a few first dates. I never thought I would have done that, especially when I consider how shy I come off to some people. Anyway, back to the point. I was *so* very sick of having to pursue guys, and just wanted a guy to pursue me for once. I mean, come on, I couldn't be *that* bad could I?


Then comes Bryan. We met through a friend of mine, and boy did I love seeing that tall dark handsome man with an awesome smile (did I mention he was tall?). After we had met, he asked me out on a date. I was ecstatic that he asked me on a date. A GUY asked ME on a date. It was a miracle. He asked me on a date to go to a concert. At first I was very hesitant about this (no, not because I'm deaf :), because the last concert I went to was awful. It was Rage Against the Machine, and it was just not my cup of tea. So much pot, smoke, swearing, flashers, etc. I demanded to be taken home after the first song was performed by Rage (I suffered through the awful opening act of Gangstar). So you can just imagine how scared I was to go to a concert. Then Bryan told me which band it was, Jars of Clay. It couldn't have been a better choice. I love the band (still do), and it was very much a clean concert.





Another thing I was nervous about...it was a double date. I've never gone on a first date that wasn't a single date...meaning my first dates were always just me and the guy. A double date was actually making me nervous. Imagine that. Anyway, along came October 29, 2002 (the date was October 30, 2002). I'm so nervous and excited about this date that I cannot stop talking about it with my mom. So...we go shopping. We went shopping for a first date outfit. I still remember what I bought (a green shirt that ended up being dry clean only, and sort of was hippyish. I miss that shirt, but it's long gone). I have never bought new clothes just to look good for a first date before, so I knew that I was already kind of smitten with this guy. So I got all ready, get all dressed up, smell good, put my make up on, etc. He comes and knocks on the door. I open it and there is Bryan. Tall, dark, handsome....and with a FLOWER. He is the *only* guy who ever brought me a flower before going on a date. I knew he was a winner already.





So off we go. The other couple drove in a separate car, so we had some time alone to talk before the concert. I have no idea what we talked about, but I loved it and was just on cloud 9 the entire time. We went to the concert, and I learned that Bryan has an amazing voice. Trust me, I did not sing. You do not want to hear a deaf person sing, no matter how noisy a concert may be, you still don't want to hear the deaf person sing. I just remember that there was this lady next to me who was...REALLY into the songs and the concert. It may have been mean, but it made us laugh like crazy, cause it was just pretty insane. We stood up, clapped, boogied, he sang, we laughed, had fun. It was honestly an incredible time. The one thing that did not happen that I wanted to happen...was holding hands. Yes, on the first date, I wanted to hold hands. I was just that crazy about him already. I found out later that he wanted to hold hands too, but wasn't sure if it would scare me off. I KNEW I recognized the nervous back and forth movements of his hands trying to decide if he was going to hold my hand or not. I was very tempted to grab it, but decided to be a lady, especially since he was treating me like one (and I was loving it!).


Then we got into the car to meet up with the other couple to get some ice cream at leatherby's in Provo. We had fun talking in the car. Again, I have no idea what we talked about, but it was fun, I laughed a lot and just loved being with him. As we're turning off of University Parkway into the Leatherby's parking lot, he almost hits the freaking road sign! I still choose to believe that it's cause he couldn't take my eyes off of me since I was so hot that night. I also told him this when it happened, and he, every so smartly, agreed with me. The ice cream was fun, but I didn't like having to share my attention with two other people. I just wanted to be with Bryan. Sadly, the date had to come to an end as I had to go to class the next day and needed some sleep.





He drove me home, walked me to my door and.....gave me a hug. I loved/hated this. I wanted to kiss him SO bad, but I knew it was the first date. But I really did not want that hug to end. It was a rare thing to be in the arms of a guy who was taller than me, let alone a guy who was taller than me AND that I was starting to go crazy for. We said good night, and I was just on cloud 9 all night long. I called my mom and told her about the date, etc. It was just that awesome. It may not seem like a big deal to other people, but honestly, this was a date that I was never going to forget, and never will.









And an added bonus!
10 things that I absolutely love about Bryan, and 10 things he loves about me.
What Bryan loves about me (I'm quoting him word for word here):
1. I love that you're klutzy.
2. I love how you mix up your words.
3. I love how you always kiss (I'm a darn good kisser).
4. I love that you found something that you love to do.
5. I love, how many is that? 5? (I said 4), oh.....I looovvvee.....how patient you are with me.
6. I love your humility when learning new things.
7. I love how passionate you are about the things you believe in.
8. I love that we're a good match for each other.
9. (Are you not going to say anything about my body?) That's not something I love ABOUT you, (insinuating that physical appearance is sexy, but it doesn't really make me who I am...he's good :) ). I love that you gave us a second chance (that's a whole nother story).
10. I love that you don't like fruit (sorry folks, it's true).




What I love about Bryan:
1. I love that he supports me in everything that I do.
2. I love that he gives me big bear hugs, and literally squeezes all the air out of me.
3. I love his voice. I may be deaf, but I can tell it's a good voice.
4. I love his passion for music/singing.
5. I love his passion for other cultures and languages. It makes life a lot more interesting.
6. I love that he's tall. Much taller than me.
7. I love that he's such a good father to Kiernan.
8. I love that we can still talk about everything and nothing. It seems like we never run out of things to talk about.
9. I love that he knows how to laugh about my klutziness instead of being embarrassed about it.
10. I love that he puts his foot in his mouth all the time about me (ask him about the time he called me a walrus....or tubby). :)

*****
First off....love Leatherby's!  Haven't been there since before my mission though...way too long!  And I love Jars of Clay too!  I haven't listened to them in awhile, I should bust that out....  Concerts are so much fun...becoming one of my and Nate's favorite splurges.  (Another reason we'd LOVE to live near Nashville!)  And how can you not like fruit?  Have you not eaten a fresh raspberry??  Watermelon?  Peaches?  Pears?  Oh yum....you're missing out, girlfriend!!  Take a trip up to Oregon and pick some blueberries or blackberries fresh off the bush.  Heaven.

The hand-holding thing is hilarious....Nate & I still joke about that.  The nervous movements, so funny!!  Sometimes when we're watching a movie, he'll put his hand right next to mine...you know, like in middle school or something. We're nerds.  But you remember...you'd spend the entire movie analyzing in your head if he was trying to hold your hand or not!  Dating is so funny to look back on once you aren't doing that anymore! 
Nate gives good hugs too.  And he totally ran a stop sign in Salem when we were first dating....maybe I looked hot that night too??  Those were fun lists to read....maybe we'll make lists too, if I have another no-story week....although apparently Nate can't keep things "appropriate" when I try to get his input on anything, ha!

Be sure to check out Emilie's first Love Story in Week Two HERE!

Thank you my dear for sharing another story with us!  Hope you're enjoying your sunny vacation!!  Ya'll need to let me watch Kiernan again soon so you can go out!

Week Twenty - Becca Jane - Engagement Story

See....this is what happens when people don't sign up...you get to hear more from me!  Be sure to go back to Weeks Eight & Eighteen to read the beginnings of my Love Story, if you haven't already.  And please, please....SIGN UP!  Otherwise this blog will end...because even though Nate & I have a fabulous relationship and love story....I don't know if I can think of enough for the rest of the year!!

***
So we got engaged on October 28, 2004.  After school, I drove up to West Jordan.  We had looked at rings the week before, but I wasn't sure if or when he was choosing a ring, and definitely thought it would take longer to order and arrive.  So we went out to eat at a cheap Italian resturant (Fazoli's....yeah, we are poor!).  Nate asked if I wanted to go walk around the temple grounds.  I was slightly suspicious at that point, but still just assumed that the ring couldn't have been ordered and sized and ready so soon.  And there was no box in his jeans pocket!  It had been raining all day, sort of rare for Utah.  I loved it though because I just love rain.  So we drove over to the Jordan River temple.  We parked and slowly started walking around toward the front of the building.  Nate didn't seem nervous, so then I started wondering if maybe he wasn't going to propose that day.  I just assumed he'd be acting sort of nervous....I know I would have been!  I was nervous myself!  So about halfway around the building, it stopped raining.  We got to the front, where there are gorgeous gardens and a fountain. 

We walked over to the fountain, and suddenly Nate held out both of his fists and said, "Pick a hand."  It was in his right hand, and I picked that first.  I was soo excited to see my ring, it was gorgeous!  In his sweet, quiet voice that I honestly noticed about him in Korea, he asked, "Will you marry me?"  I gave him a big hug and said Yes.  The ground was soaking wet, so he didn't get down on one knee....but in all honesty, I'm glad he didn't.  There were lots of people coming and going from the temple while we were there, and I seriously hate attention and people looking at me.  We were in our own little moment, and I'm glad the people around us didn't realize what was happening.  Nate & I are the exact same in that aspect of our personalities, so it was perfect for the two of us.  So anyway, I said yes, and then I was all flustered and couldn't remember which hand to give him to put my ring on!  The ring fit perfectly.  I absolutely love it and wouldn't change anything about it.  It's a 1/2 carat princess cut solitaire diamond and you can see the diamond from all angles.  It looks like this, but it's a solitaire.

Well anyway, so after I put my ring on and gave him lots of smooches, we looked out over the valley and suddenly the rain clouds all broke and blue skies peeped through.  Suddenly a HUGE rainbow stretched across the entire sky.  It was gorgeous, and I couldn't believe it.  And it was just such a beautiful gift to me from my Heavenly Father on my engagement day....a confirmation from Him that I had my man.  Nate was my gift, my blessing for being patient and obedient, and I have felt that confirmation every single day since. 
I love you, Nater!

Okay, so if you remember our little interview from Week Eight....I tried to do another one and pretty much got the same results:

Do you regret proposing to me?

No, why?  Do you?  Do you think I'm chunky?  (this is only funny if you've seen the dude hippo on Madagascar 2!)

Were you nervous when you proposed?

Yes. Who wouldn't be?

Did you think I was going to say no?

No.

Why did you propose at the temple?
Cuz I'm a corny Mormon.
Were you bummed it was raining so you couldn't get down on one knee?
I didn't want to get down on one knee, I didn't really want to do the traditional thing. Sorry.
That's okay.  It was perfect.
We looked at 3 rings, how did you pick my favorite?
I could tell by the twinkle in your eye when we were looking at them.
Yeah, okay.
Is there anything else you'd like to say about me, our marriage or our relationship?
Can you re-phrase the question?  Um..it's been the best 5 years of my life.  And that's an innapropriate question, I can't answer that with a 3 yr old in the room.
Okay, nevermind.  Geez!

Week Nineteen ~ Marie

Him: Stephen

Her: Marie

Our Love Story: His story…….Her story

Since they seem to be somewhat different, I thought we should tell it like we saw it happen.


His story: The singles in Tooele got together once a week to play games and socialize. So I decided to go and see if all these singles got together to complain about their sad lives after being divorced. I went the first week and there were a few singles and it was okay. They told me there were several other who were not there. So I decided to go again the next week. I was sitting there playing games and eating chocolate. When this cute blonde from across the room comes over and asked if she could sniff my chocolate. I wasn’t sure if that was a pick up line or not so I let her sniff my chocolate. She later would throw candy to me and then come over and sniff it. She was beautiful and fun. I knew I better go next week to see what would happen next. She asked me to come out in the hallway of the church so she could talk to me. So I played it cool and leaned up against the wall with one foot up as to look cool and tease her. We talked and planned to go to an upcoming dance with other singles. I loved the chase for love.


We later went to the dance at SLCC on Saturday night. She was with this guy and his mom. I finally got the courage to dance ask her to dance. I went up and grabbed by the hand while she was standing next to the guy she came with and took her out on the dance floor. They played two slow dances. The first was a James Blunt song. The second was a Keith Urban song. During the second song, we fell in love. I couldn’t help it because I had this beautiful blonde in my arms and her arms around my neck. The dance was over and I went and sat on the couch wondering what was happening. How could I have feelings of love for Marie, I barely knew her. We met later at Denny’s and all I could do was sit by this cute blonde and wonder if she had feeling for me. When we left Denny’s she gave me a hug and said in my ear “Call me.” I didn’t even have her number when I got home.


Then on that Sunday morning I got a call from Marie. I hadn’t even gone to bed because I couldn’t sleep and I hoped she would call me and she did. I was in love and didn’t know what to do. We talked for quite a while until I was late for church. At the end of the phone call I wanted to shout out “I love you.” I went to church and after church I called her again. During church I decided I would call her to go on a date. I asked her when we could go out. She was available on Tuesday. We went out on our date and it was wonderful shopping for dishes in the Wedding section of the store. I hugged her several time that night. At the end of the night I invited her over for ice cream. Of course I kissed her. We then had a date on Thursday at my house because my son Noah was staying over night. Marie was great with my son Noah. I was falling head over heels in love for this woman. It just felt right to love her. She would take my breath away every time I saw her.


So 29 days after our first date we got married. She is the love of my life. She has made my life complete. She is the first thing I want to see in the morning and the last thing I want to see when I go to sleep at night. I love you forever babe. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. Thanks for taking my breath away!

Her story: There was this guy that all of the single ladies called the “church guy”. We called him that cause he was this sweet and innocent man. (so we thought). He would act all cool and taunt me with chocolate at singles night cause he knew I was watching my weight and wouldn’t eat it, just sniff it. He would never ask me out. No matter how I flirted with him, he was so frustrating. We went dancing a couple of times together as a big group and he would dance with all of the other girls but me! I was about to give up on this cute guy when all of a sudden he came walking across the floor and took my hand. (I was holding the hand of the guy who had brought me to the dance at the time) and then he led me onto the dance floor. I thought who is this guy. Well we danced the first slow dance then my favorite singer of all time Keith Urban came on. So I smiled and Stephen thought I was smiling about him so he slid his arms around me way tight. Then he stared at me the whole dance with those beautiful eyes. All I kept thinking was “oh crap, I am falling in love”. Well after that he didn’t talk to me the rest of the night! So after the dance and after we all ate at Denny’s I went up to him to hug him goodbye and said call me. HE DIDN’T CALL! So I was mad, who does he think he is dance with me like that, make me fall in love with him, then not call! So I called him and I soon forgot I was mad and we talked for hours! When we went to say goodbye he kept hesitating, I found out later it was cause he wanted to say I love you. I thought it was cause he wanted to ask me out, which he didn’t! That night he did call back and ask me out. We went to Olive Garden and then to the mall to walk around. He took me to pick out dishes in the wedding section! Who does that? Then we went and bought ice cream and went back to his place. He showed me pictures of his ex wife. Once again, who does that and on a first date? And he didn’t kiss me at the end, I kissed him. He kept taunting me ‘leaning’ towards me, getting right up in my face then nothing! So yep, I kissed him. Then are you ready for this…..he told me that he had a rule about asking the same person more than twice in a row on a date. Who does that? Tells a girl on the first date that you have a stupid rule so don’t get your hopes up for a next date. So, you guessed it, I asked him out next so he didn’t break his rule. I had to do all the work, but to tell you the truth it has been worth it and more! This guy (as soon as I hooked him) promised to love me forever and asked me to marry him on the 4th date and 29 days later he did just that. It totally freaked out my kids. My youngest daughter and her fiancé was in Boston visiting his family and I called her and said so what are you doing this Friday when you get back into town and she said why you want to go to dinner? I said sure we can go after the wedding k! And we did, we all went for Chinese food after the ceremony. Is that true love or what? It has been 3 ½ years since that night and it has been the most amazing feeling to know that somebody loves me that much and I love him back. I know he always says that I am the one who takes his breath away but to tell you the truth, before Stephen I didn’t know what breathing really was.






The real love story is…..Marie and Stephen found each other after 40 years of searching. Stephen has 3 children Nick 17, Noah 12, Chloe 12 and Marie has 2 children Kasie 25, Kamie 24. We found a way to mix together children and families. We are still waiting patiently for clearance from the General Authorities for us to be sealed together for time and all eternity. We recently became the very proud grandparents of Kaiah our sweet little girl and we have a precious grandson on the way who will be a part of our family in August. Being parents and now grandparents is truly what love is all about. For us, not only sharing each day with each other but with our children is what love is all about for us. True Love means believing, trusting, forgiving, unconditional, honesty, friends, and never giving up. Knowing that someone LOVES YOU BACK is all that anyone needs to live. (well, that and chocolate!)

*****
Marie is Nate's aunt.  And she is one of the million reasons that I feel SO lucky to have married into this family!  I have always admired her cheerful personality and love being around her.  Stephen is one of the kindest people I know, and we love Kasie, Kamie & Kaiah so so much!  Thank you for sharing your great story!  True love is so wonderful....no matter when it finally knocks on your door!!
 
This was so much fun to read!  You guys are so cute.  Haha, Marie, I can just picture you flirting with him....trying to get his attention!  "Who does that?"...that cracked me up too!  And sniffing chocolate...I remember Marie sniffing cookies one year at Christmas, too funny!  I really love you guys! 
 
Happy Mother's Day Marie....and to all of you wonderful mothers and mothers-to-be out there!!

Week Eighteen ~ Becca Jane ~ Our First Two Weeks

You can see the story of how we met HERE.


So here's what happened next.


After our first date on September 18, 2004, I remember hugging Nate after the football game.  I was really happy and knew I was definitely intrigued by this guy.  But I still wasn't sure if it had been a real date, or if we were just mission friends hanging out.  That night after he drove home, he sent me an email and asked me if I wanted to go play tennis sometime.  I just smiled.... of course I did!  Overall with Nate, the best thing about him was that I didn't have to do anything.  He did the asking, the initiating, the calling....  I LOVED not having to analyze his moves or wonder if he would call or if there were other girls.  It was such a relaxing feeling to just sit back and be pursued!  People ask me how I knew I was going to marry him and how to know if it's the "real deal".  My answer is this:  "The relationship is easy.  It just works.  No games.  No worrying or wondering.  It just works and nothing stops it or gets in the way."


So a week later, I drove up to West Jordan.  He met me on his driveway looking all fine again... (if you read my last post about him, I'm quite smitten with his hot-ness).  I remember being soooo nervous to play tennis with him because I had not picked up a tennis racket in 5 years.  I played in high school, but I was never that good, it was always just for fun.  So we drove up to Copperton and played for awhile.  I was awful.  He was not.  To this day, I'm convinced he let me win when we played a match.  There is no way I really beat him!  But he insists that he was playing his best.  I don't believe him because in all of the times we've played since that day, I've never won again!!  After tennis, we went back to his house and watched Bourne Identity.  I think I met his mom and one of his sisters that day too.

I think due to work & school, we had to wait another week to hang out.  That next Friday was our mission reunion for the Korea Seoul West mission.  We made plans to meet up early to hang out and then go together to the reunion.  I think that was a really long week!  I couldn't wait to see him again!  We met up in American Fork, had dinner at Wendys, and we stopped at Target.  Nate knew I loved John Mayer, so he bought me his 2nd album.  Good move, Honey.  Listening to those songs still takes me right back to these weeks with Nate.  We also had to buy something to take to the reunion, but we were both cheap and lame, so we bought these 88 cent cookies that looked like cheap Oreos. 


So...the mission reunion cracks us up.  Still.  Only one of our mission friends knew we were "hanging out".  We hadn't talked about our "status", and I honestly wasn't sure what we were.  Should I tell people we're dating?  Is he my boyfriend yet?  What if I tell someone we're dating and he thinks I'm just a good friend?  What if he tells someone we're dating and I say we're just friends and then he hears that and stops calling?  Oh my poor mind!  We pretty much stuck together like glue during the whole thing.  It was so much fun because we're both so comfortable around our mission friends.  At one point, we were sitting at a table with an elder that we both knew.  Right in front of Nate, this elder turns to me and says, "So Warner, you dating anyone?"  I know I turned bright red, and I didn't answer right away.  So I just casually put my arm around Nate and said, "Well, kind of, I've just been hanging out with one of my best friends."  Haha!  I didn't know what else to say! 

I know I already posted this, but here is us at the reunion:

Well, after the reunion, we took our 88 cent cookies (I don't think they had even been opened, ha!) and decided to take a walk around the Mt. Timpanogas temple (the reunion was just across the street from the temple).  In Korea, it's really common for people to link arms when they walk, so I linked my arm through Nate's.  About halfway around the temple, he grabbed my hand.  Yay!  We went back to the cars, and I didn't want to leave him!  Ever!!!  I wanted him to kiss me, but I knew he was nervous, so we just said goodbye.

The Mt. Timpanogos Temple

(also the place where we were married)

The next day, I drove up to West Jordan for the Saturday session of General Conference.  We snuggled all during the sessions.  In between sessions, we played tennis again, and we also took his little sister Megan with us to the animal shelter to see the cats and dogs.  It was so fun playing with the cute kitties....and we talked about how we want a big dog someday.  That night, I REALLY wanted him to kiss me....I was tempted to just make the move, but I wanted him to initiate it.  So I went home falling really in love, but still smooch-less.

The next day, he drove down to Salem for the Sunday sessions.  More snuggling.  In between those sessions, we took those 88 cent cookies over to Salem Pond and fed them to the ducks, haha! I also gave him a big kiss on the cheek, and he says that after that, he "knew that it was safe to go in for the kill" (his words, he's standing in the kitchen and just said it!!).  After the 2nd session, my dad pulled me aside and told me how highly he thought of Nate and how happy he could tell that I was.  After that, I knew I was going to marry this boy!  So we decided to take a drive up Elk Ridge to "watch the sunset"....but really I was just going to kiss this boy because I couldn't stand it anymore!!  So we drove up, and I didn't really know where to go to get a good view of the sunset, I hadn't been in that area very much.  So I ended up just stopping in front of some random person's house on a dead end street.  We both got out, walked to the back of the car, and both went in for the kiss.  Finally!!  And then we started laughing hysterically about how our first kiss was in front of someone's house who was probably watching and wondering why there were strangers kissing in the street.  Then we drove around for an hour and started quoting Napoleon Dynamite, and I was laughing so hard that I had to pull over.  Fun day. "Tina...come get some ham!!"


The next day, I drove up to West Jordan after school to watch Napoleon Dynamite...he hadn't even seen it yet.  After it was over, we sat there in the movie theater as the credits rolled and Nate told me he loved me.  I told him I loved him too, and then we laughed all over again about how random and weird we are!  I love us! 


So yeah, that was a whirlwind weekend!!  We went from a matter of "are we dating?"  to saying I love you in just 4 days!!  It was awesome though.  We were (and are) just so happy together and so perfect for each other.  He is exactly the kind of guy I always pictured myself with.  We still just laugh together and never have to explain our weird-ness to each other.  We get it.  We're still best friends.