lovestory

Our story starts off with me sitting cross legged on a dirty girls apartment living room floor, waiting impatiently for the arrival of what I didn’t know then.. but my husband. I remember it was a Monday evening. How do I remember this? FHE usually falls on a Monday. Yes.. My husband was in my FHE group. In fact, he was my FHE dad. yes. dad. And he claimed me to be his adopted wife.. But more on that later.

When those grimy looking boys finally walked through that apartment door, I scoped each of them out. Typical FHE group. We had the Smart A premies looking for action. The basketball, chocolate milk lover, giants. The RM hipsters. Let me tell you, I thought they were a good funny group but I definitely did not think I would marry one of them. I didn’t even want to hang out with them. I remember letting them all know bluntly that, “If we don’t plan FHE to be fun, I’m not coming.” My husband now tells me that at that point, he thought I was a very negative person. Hmph well I am. About FHE. 

Turns out, we planned some pretty fun evenings. But that was my doing. The FHE “Dad” somehow got ahold of my digits and would text me an hour before and say “so what are we doing?” leaving it up to me to figure something out last minute. I think I was kind of OK with this though. I think I secretly thought he was the most adorable thing ever. 

Now let’s be honest here. During this semester I was NOT looking for any sort of FHE dad to come and sweep me off my feet (any sort of dad or male in fact). And I KNOW he wasn’t looking for anything either. I was actually preparing for my “high school sweetheart” (oh dear) to leave on his mission at the end of the semester so my mind was in the missionary girlfriend mode. I knew deep down though that this guy was not good for me. Or to me. I really didn’t believe I deserved much better. Those thoughts changed.

On the last day of the semester, my FHE dad asked me to go to Monkey Rock to try to get behind the water falls. I remember feeling really hesitant, and I almost didn’t go. But luckily I went, and it was one of the funnest days I’ve ever had. I still didn’t think too much of it though. Missionary girlfriend remember!

But that missionary left and so did my feelings towards him. This sounds harsh. but it was the most enlightening time in my life. I finally figured out who I was without someone telling me what I should be. It also gave me the freedom to spend more time with my FHE dad. More time texting that is.. He had left Rexburg to return home for the seven week break and I was left in loser town. He claims that I told him I missed him during that time.. wheres the proof baby?! :) 

The first day he got back I remember being surprisingly excited to see him.The seven week break was pretty lonely actually and I was happy to have someone to hang out with again. I met him that night at snow shack with his buddy (my FHE brother). That night was the first night of being inseparable. Literally we saw each other every single day after that. He was the funniest guy I had ever met and seriously made me laugh every time. That was something new to me. No other guy could make me laugh that much. And I have laughed every single day since then. 

Here is a little side track.. I was actually hanging out with another guy at that time. He was cool and nice and all but.... I remember being so annoyed of him one day. The reason behind this was because I showed him a hilarious cat video (that Paul showed me) on the youtube and he didn’t laugh. I was bugged and said “Why can’t you be more like Paul??” I'm kinda embarrassed about that no. But lets be serious. Why aren’t more guys be like Paul? 

Alright so here comes the crazy part of the story. Paul and I established that we were “best friends” after a while (two weeks). Those “best friends” somehow ended up in the middle of a potato field with a scary movie and fifty blankets one night. mmmhmm you guessed it. He kissed me right on the mouth. At that moment I realized we went from FHE kids, best friends, to confusing. What’s even more confusing? Two weeks later we were in that same potato field.. that is when we both realized that we were more then best friends. Lets make it even more confusing shall we? That is when we both realized we loved each other. Let’s take it up a notch. The very next night, same potato field, I blurted out “wow, I want this forever.” and he said “me too.” and from there we started planning our temple date and how we were going to tell the folks and a million other details. 

My casual writing does not do this night and time justice at all though. I believe it was one of the most spiritual moments and times I have ever had. My Heavenly Father was letting all these things fall into place so that I would know that this was my eternal companion. I’m so grateful that I was listening to the spirit throughout that time. 

Now, wouldn't you think it would be all daisies and roses after that? mm nope. I personally believe that Satan was out to ruin this perfect relationship. Even people who I loved, and loved me would tell me that I was doing something very wrong to be married so young. It felt as if every thing was against us but Paul and I never once let our love sink for even one second. Sometimes i felt like it definitely would have been easier if we had just given in to everything people were saying, but I knew this couldn't happen. And it didn't. I knew that marrying Paul was a good decision. Turns out that it was the best decision I have ever made. 

The proposal was perfect. I was visiting him in Arizona for thanksgiving. He drove me up on a hill where we could watch the perfect Arizona sunset on top of the car. Suddenly there was our song and tears and "will you marry me" and "well of course" and gasps of air. Oh it was perfect. 

Paul and I were separated most of our engagement. I was on track at BYUI and he went home to AZ to make some moneys. I hated this. I still hate it. It should not have been that way, but if anything, it only "made our love stronger" (sorry for the cheese).  I still don't know how we did it though. The next time I saw him was the day before our wedding. 

I absolutely believe our wedding day was perfect for us. Everything was so simple and calm.  Well except the weather of course. But that was expected from a Rexburg wedding day. We were sealed forever  in the Rexburg LDS temple and it was beautiful.  Our reception was at the church and we had cookies and milk for refreshments. I had my perfect Pinterest cake, and danced with my dad like I had always dreamed. Most importantly, I was married to my FHE dad, my best friend, and my eternal lover. 

This is just a small portion of our love story. 

 It's a never ending one.