My Real Life Love Story

I've been tagged by Johanna, so here are some "early days" facts (most of you probably already know!)

1) Where did you and your husband meet? The first time Darrin and I actually met was when I was 14 and he was 17. We met at a Stake Dance. He remembers telling his friends "If she were older, I would date her." We do remember dancing, but it wasn't monumental enough because that was as far as it went till after his mission. Then we met during Winter Break at the Singles Branch. Darrin came over and said "You look familiar, do I know you from somewhere?" He seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn't figure out from where. After telling him my name, he realized it was from the Stake Dances. We chit-chatted, he was about to start his first semester at UVSC, and I was about to go back for my second semester at Weber State. That was it, we parted ways, and then things really picked up when we both came home for the Summer.

2) First thing said? Maybe..."Would you like to dance?"

3) First date? Our first date was the Summer of 1999, in Grand Junction. He called to invite me to a movie. I was so excited I rushed to jump in the shower. As I was showering he realized plans had changed and he called back to cancel. My sister answered the phone, and told him how excited I was. She told him everything (not that there was much to tell we had just barely met, but she did tell him I was so excited to go out with him). He now says that helped things progress, because he knew I liked him and so he felt more confident about pursuing me. Thanks Sis! So because he canceled we went out a few days later, to the Rodeo. There was a group of us there. We were visiting so much, that we were actually SHUSHED by a parent that had attended. I remember thinking "I didn't know you had to be quiet at a rodeo!"

4) First Kiss? Our first kiss was really awkward. Darrin was a slow mover (maybe it's a GJ guy thing!). He had set a personal goal that he didn't want to kiss the next girl he dated till there was a good friendship foundation first. I was fine with that, my parents on the other hand would ask me after every date if he had kissed me yet! So finally we had been dating over a month when we went to the Manti Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah. Sometime in the middle of the Pageant, I knew he wanted to kiss. He just kept leaning in and then backing away. I started laughing, just as he really did go for the kill and we totally clashed teeth! (Johanna, I was so happy to read this happened to you too!) The 2nd kiss was much better, no teeth involved.

5) When where "I Love You's" first said? Another awkward story...I had been feeling like I wanted to tell him, but not sure where he was at with the whole I love you thing. So I kept waiting. Well one night we were watching a movie and he was like "I love you..." before he could get another word out I rushed into say "I love you too!" then he finished his sentence (which I didn't know had a finish) by saying "At least I think I do, I don't really know." I was mortified, then I switched quickly to the defense and said "I know I love you, whether you love me or not!" A few days later, he told me that he did know, and he did love me. Whewww, I was glad to get that over with.

6) Long or short courtship/engagement? Start to finish 6 months. We dated for 4 months, engaged for two months. I don't know if we would have lasted another week of engagement (that was rough!)

7) Where did you get engaged? I was living in Ogden, Utah. He was living in Provo. We would often see each other on the weekends. The weekend we had set up to go ring shopping he came up. Unknown to me he had already picked out and bought the ring. So he came up (it was the night before my birthday) and we went out. We saw a movie, and then he gave me my present (A Dixie Chicks CD). On our drove home we decided to drive past the Bountiful Temple. We got out and started walking around the gates, because it was locked up. To pass the time Darrin asked if I wanted to play a game. I said sure. He said it's the "Yes Game" the rules were, everything he asked me I had to say yes too. I have to insert, I was CONVINCED he was NOT proposing, so I easily fell into his trap. He asked if he could step closer to me...Yes. Asked if he could put his arms around me...Yes (while giggling). He asked if he could lean his head close in...Yes. He asked if he could move his lips...Yes (this seemed to be a lot of work for a kiss) Then he did that thing that kids do when they want to make a funny sound with their lips, by moving their finger quickly over their lips (do you know what I am talking about?) Anyway, I was like you are crazy, pushed him away and started walking. Then I heard him say "No but really, can I get down on one knee...Yes (very confused, then mad, because I figured he was joking again.) He pulled out a box, opened it up and said "Will you marry me?" I was so shocked, I screamed Yes!! Right then a car drove by and honked, perfect timing!

8) Where did you get married? In the Bountiful Temple. December 16, 1999. It was a cold day, but I didn't even notice.

9) Where did you go on your honeymoon? We waited till the Summer, and then we went to Las Vegas for a couple of nights. We now know this was a really silly idea, 1-being a Mormon couple and 2-I was only 20, so they wouldn't even let me on the gambling floor! 3-Las Vegas in August is never a great idea (way too hot!) For the the rest of the week we went to his parents cabin. This was so nice. So relaxing. Probably one of our best just Darrin & I trips to date.

10) Where did you make your first home? Our first home was a little 1 bedroom apartment in Provo. We lived on the top floor, and the lady on the bottom controlled the heat. So it was BLISTERING hot, even in the Winter, we had to keep the windows open.

I just have to add a little plug. I NEVER knew marriage would be so good. I was excited to get married, but it has exceeded my expectations. Darrin is my bestfriend, and still so much fun to be around, all this is said 8 years and 3 girls later, and I am still loving him!