Sunday's Story

Our lives are filled with events.

Some events are bigger than others.

Some teach us lessons.

Some are Joyful.

Some bring tears.

Through each of them my hope is that we learn and grow from them.

It is these events, both big and small, that make us who we are today.

They are the 'stories' of our lives.

Our stories need to be told.

I decided to start a segment on my blog called "Sunday's Story."

Each Sunday I will post a 'story' about something that has happened in my life. This is just me trying to document pivitol moments in my life, but hopefully it will be interesting for you too. I would love if you joined in along with me...so I can get to know you better. Just grab the picture, and post it on your blog. Be sure to leave a comment so I can come read too! Can't wait to hear all of your stories!

Start thinking of what you would like to share...I already know what I will be writing about. It might just have to do with a little man that came into my life 2 years ago. "See" you on Sunday!

The First 'Real' Date

Lots of fun things have been going on around here. We were able to go on a Disney Cruise, and had fun on our Anniversary yesterday. Not to mention the fact that I have yet to post about Christmas. Maybe someday I will get around to it. Until then enjoy another post about Shawn and I. :o)

This pic was not on our actual date, but we don't even have a pic of our first date!! :( I just like the picture.
Shawn and I met on August 28th, 1999. From the day we met we spent every day together (minus a few days he spent in Utah a few days after we had met). We always seemed to have a reason to get together with our friends. So even though we spent alot of time together and he had already said "I love you,"...we never really had been on a 'real' date. (You know where he actually asked me out, planned something, and paid for my dinner.) He finally got up the gumption, and planned something...and it was a date to remember.

It was September 17th, and he told me to 'dress up.' I was interested to see what he had planned, although I was not looking forward to driving in his car. He had a red Mitsubishi that seemed to have its exhaust pipe connected to his a/c system. The few times that I had been in his car I had practically gagged. So I was surprised when he showed up at my house in a very nice green sports car (he borrowed his Aunt's car).

He walked me to the car, and when he opened my door there was a Martina McBride CD on the seat. During those first few weeks of us meeting, a group of us went to see Runaway Bride in the theatres. Martina sang the song "I love you" in it, and that eventually became "our song." We put the CD in, and we were on our way.

Shawn had made reservations at a restaurant in Scottsdale called Sandolo's. It is an Italian restaurant at the Hyatt Regency. They had singing waiters, and then at the end of your dinner they gave you vouchers for a free gondola ride (the restaurant is still there, but it is called something else, no more singing waiters :( but you do still get a free gondola ride). While on our gondola ride, the driver sang to us, and then allowed Shawn to sing to me. It was very nice, and I love to hear Shawn sing every chance I get. I think he was just trying to schmooze me.

Later he wanted to take me to his friend, Keaton's house. Keaton was visiting home for the weekend, and he wanted me to meet him. I think his plan was to have him and Keaton sing songs to me or something (since he knows how much I love hearing his voice). We drove over to his house, and waited. We kept thinking Keaton was going to be showing up soon. We ended up sitting on his lawn, and started talking. We talked alot about what was going on in my head. What I had thought about his song, and how scared I was. Then he leaned in and kissed me. I think he was glad that Keaton never showed up, (although we found out later that he was there the whole time...but had crashed from pure exhaustion from his travels.)

I still can't believe our first kiss was on someone else's front lawn.

10 Years Ago

Ten years ago today,

I was at my sister's house with my dear friend Jenny.

She did my hair, and we left for the temple.

I was nervous & excited all at the same time.

We laughed at the fact that I forgot your wedding ring.

Uncle Jim was happy to loan his.

(I guess we got the 'something borrowed' in)

You stepped on my train right before we went to meet our family to be sealed.

The old ladies scrambled to bustle it back up.

It is amazing what a bunch of safety pins can do.

We finally were able to join our family and friends.

We knelt across the alter.

I tried to stifle laughter when I noticed my mother had fallen asleep.

We committed ourselves to each other.

I entered those doors a single woman...

and left a married one.

It was one of the happiest days of my life!!

Thanks for choosing to love me each and every day!

I can't wait to see what the next 10 years hold for us!

I love you!

Stay tuned for more of Our Love Story...coming soon

The Tape

Jenny & I before we went out

To read other segments of "Our Love Story" just click here.

Our Conversation

One of our engagement pics

For those of you just 'checking' in...I have been trying to document "Our Love Story" in honor of our 10 year anniversary this Friday. Just click on the link above to read the other segments. :)

"I'm sorry...what did you say?" I knew it was coming, but secretly hoped it wouldn't...I tried to act like I didn't know what he was talking about.

"My email, did you get it?"

"Which one (he sent me lots of emails)?" Again I professed ignorance. I was trying to dodge the inevitable. Then he just said it anyway...

"Well, I decided when I say goodbye to you I am going to say "I love you"....because that is how I feel"

There it was again. Crap...what am I going to say.

"Ummmm...well....Thanks. I am glad you feel that way, but I can't really say that right now." (imagine crickets chirping)

I felt awful. Was he going to hate me? Did I totally hurt him by not returning it with an "I love you, too." ?

I went on to explain. It wasn't like I didn't care for him. I did...but I wanted to make sure that I actually loved him before I told him. In my past relationships, I immediately felt like I LOVED the guy. Yet, in reality, I really had no idea what love really was. I was finally strong enough to not let myself go. To not just say I love you because he told me that too. I didn't want to lie to myself or to him. So I couldn't say it back.

For whatever reason, Shawn didn't seem to care. From that night forward, and any time we shared a conversation...he always told me 'I love you'. For me, that was a very humbling experience. How in the world could this guy continue giving with out getting anything in return?

My heart knew what it wanted, but my mind was holding tight....that is, until I got his tape.

The E-mail

This photo was taken 4 days after I met Shawn.
As I have mentioned before, I was not really interested in getting into a relationship. I had made a decision that I was not going to tell someone "I love you" until I was REALLY sure that I meant it. So it made for an interesting beginning when Shawn and I met.

We seemed to get together every single day since that Saturday for some reason or another. I really enjoyed being around him, but I was determined to keep us as 'just friends'. I didn't need the drama of another relationship. Yet as the days went on...denial totally set in.

I had to keep telling myself that I didn't really 'like' him. I just liked being around him. He made me laugh. He was easy to talk to. We always had fun when we together. Besides...we hadn't even been on a 'real' date...we were just 'hanging out.'

After only a few short weeks, I got an email from him that scared me to death. I don't remember exactly what it had said except for the end....it read something like this.

"So when I say goodbye to you, I am going to say "I love you"...because that is how I feel."

Holy Crap! I have only known this guy for about 2 weeks, and he was already professing his love to me!!?? I was taken back. I was still in denial, and didn't even want to think about if I 'thought' I loved him too. I decided to ignore it. I hoped that if I didn't respond, he would just let it go, and I wouldn't have to talk about it. I didn't want the awkwardness to come when I did not return the sentiment.

We met up later that day, and ended up talking about whatever when it happened...he asked me if I had gotten his email. Shoot!!!

I had to have this conversation after all....

The Day After

A few years ago I had started writing about Our Love Story. My plan was to continue on and finish it through out that year...obviously life took hold of me and I stopped after only two posts.

Well this coming Friday, February 26th, Shawn and I will have been married 10 YEARS!!! Over the past few weeks I have been thinking alot about those first moments that I had with him when we met. I was awful at documenting it in an actual journal and don't want it to go unwritten. I will start off where I left off, and hopefully post a little bit each day.

Enjoy reading. :o)

I remember waking up that Sunday morning. I went to my regular family ward, but also planned on going with Jason to the 'Singles Ward' where Shawn had invited him. At this point, I wasn't really looking for anything. I had a fun time with Shawn and his friends the night prior, but did not really want anything further than that.

We showed up at the church building and sat with Shawn. I noticed he took great care at explaining to Jason what was going on. It was a typical Sacrament meeting. It was interesting seeing him in a little different atmosphere. He was still very outgoing, and helpful to Jason. Yet he was very considerate of Jason and his feelings. I guess that was the missionary in him. He was very eager to share the gospel with him. After church we hung out a bit again. Someone had left some music near a piano. I picked it up, and began playing again. Shawn joined in singing. It was then again that I noticed how beautiful his voice was. I seriously could listen to it all day long.

Somewhere during that day he pulled out his rusty ol' planner (remember this was over 10 years ago...people didn't use their cell phones as much as they do today.) and he asked for Jason's phone number. I sat there wondering if he would ask for mine, but at the same time didn't really think much about it either. Then he turned to me and did. My heart jumped a little, but I shrugged it off....we were just friends after all.