Months Before Nine Years Ago Today

In April 2003 Devrie, my roommate and closest friend of two years, introduced me to her cousin Justin. The three of us went out for a quick lunch, but not much was said between the handsome cousin and myself. A few days later, on May 2, I attended a wedding with Dev and her family, I had known most of them for close to two years and had learned to love them as my own. While waiting out side the Idaho Falls Temple, Justin's mother walked up to me smiling. She turned her back to her son and said quietly, "my son is really scared to talk to you, so could you try and talk to him?" I kind of laughed and tried to push aside my own fear of talking to him.

Later, I went with the family to hang out at the hotel room until the reception. It was really crowded, but I made my way pass the piles of bags and cords of curling irons to a seat in the corner. I was enjoying watching Justin in his tuxedo, standing in front of the mirror straightening his tie when his grandma sat down beside me. "You're a really sweet girl. And my grandson is a really sweet boy. Do you need help getting a date with him?" I was so embarrassed. She must of caught me staring. Luckily, someone interrupted and changed the subject.

Once at the reception, I went to say hello to Grandpa Karlson, a huge financial buff. After a little small talk, Grandpa cut straight to the chase. "Before you get serious with my grandson you need to make sure he has a portfolio together." Instantly I turned red! And what was a portfolio? It seemed like everyone was in on it!

An hour or so after the third "matchmaking" encounter, I wandered off by myself. Justin must have been waiting for a time when we could talk. My heart fluttered as he walked up, but I took comfort in his mother's words from early and knew he was just as nervous and scared as I was. I don't think we got two sentences out before his great Grandpa Bolleschwieler appeared. He put his arm around me and looked at his grandson. "You got your eye on this pretty girl?" Ha! A family of matchmakers!

I hung around the reception as long as I could, knowing if I stood around long enough he would get the courage to ask me out, but it didn't happen. I ended up leaving confused. I wasn't two blocks away before my phone rang and it was Justin. (I learned later that Devrie gave him and ultimatum.)

On our first date, Justin showed up with flowers. He opened my door and there was another bouquet of flowers. "Those are in case I say something stupid," he said. Now, Justin will be the first to admit how charming he was and that his charm worked! Later, he sent me home with three extra desserts. One each for me and my parents. This guy was smooth!

After a few months and lots of talk, I finally convinced Justin he couldn't live without me. Both him and his little sister let it slip that he had purchased a ring. On Septemer 22, 2003, he picked me up for a date and we headed to Idaho Falls. On the way there I thought I felt a small box in his pocket and I quickly began quizzing him about the ring, but I believed him when he said it was still getting sized. We had a nice dinner and went for a short walk at the Greenbelt. In "preparation" for a goodnight kiss, I asked if he had any chap stick. With a sly smile, he held open his pocket. Now, a girl who has been waiting on a ring didn't find this joke very funny. He knew what I was waiting for, and he was getting a kick out of the situation. I told him I wasn't reaching my hand in there, because if I came out without a ring I wasn't going to be very happy. I huge grin swept across Justin's face and my heart fluttered at the excitement. This was it! Justin reached in and started emptying out his pocket one thing at a time. I cupped my hands like an eager child waiting for more candy as he placed them in my palms. He paused and his face lit up. I watched his hand closely as he reached in his pocket. With agonizing slow speed, Justin started to pull his hand back out along with the inside of his pocket. Empty. He laughed so hard. I handed him all his "crap" and slugged him lightly in the gut. I was honestly mad, but tried hard not to show it. He realized quickly that I wasn't very happy and got down on one knee. By then I was frustrated. "You're not serious. Please get up this isn't funny any more." He looked at  me and said, "I am serious." He pulled the ring box out from his sock, where he had it tucked away all night (I guess he knew I'd be checking pockets) and opened it. Honestly, I was so excited at what was happening, I didn't pay much attention to all that was being said. Something about "you've made me so happy....the rest of my life and eternity..." and then I said "YES!"

On December 12, 2003 I married the most kind, selfless, hardworking man I know. I married my best friend. Thank you for loving someone who is not so easy to love and I love you all the more for that!

Happy Anniversary