New Home!

We got an apartment! I am beyond thrilled. I've never actually seen the place; John took care of everything... I hope to see some pictures before I move in! (I'm moving in a couple weeks before we get married) It's in downtown like we wanted, and I'll be SO close to work!

Everything is working out so well (or coming up Millhouse as John likes to say :-) ). I can't wait to be able to see John everyday. What a novel concept to actually see your Fiance everyday!

I'll be sure to be more consistent in updating when my life is more than getting ready for wedding, packing, working, and moving!

First Date

John and I had started talking more and more in the end of December/beginning of January. We had made plans to meet at my mom's Vegas house in the middle of February, but John decided that was too long to wait and decided to drive the 12 hours down to see me in the middle of January. I was helping out at the Ventura Sephora store and was anxiously awaiting his arrival. He kept sending me text updates and would send pictures of where he was. Finally, (at the VERY end of my break) he got there and ran through the mall to come say hello before I went back to work. He ran around the corner and gave me the biggest hug of life... and then I had to go right back to work. Ridiculous! He went and changed and then came back to the store and hung out until the end of my shift. The entire time he was in there I was so giddy and excited! The other girls kept commenting about how it was so cute that he was there waiting for me :-)

We left the mall (holding hands maybe? I can't quite remember) and started to drive back to my house in our separate cars. I, unfortunately, am not the best at being followed and almost lost him so many times. Sorry, Dear! At home, I changed and got ready and we left for our date!

Our plan was to head down to Hollywood and have dinner. Since I am such a sickie, I had to stop by the pharmacy to pick up a prescription before they closed. After we parked and were headed into the pharmacy, he kissed me! I was so surprised! We then made our way down to Pink's Hot Dogs in Hollywood because John really wanted to try it. It was super fun and we had a great time talking and just enjoying each other's company. After dinner, we headed over to my favorite cream puff place at Hollywood and Highland and had delicious cream puffs. Yum!

It was a super fun night and I was so glad he came down before our Vegas trip to see me. It's strange after talking for hours on end but not seeing each other, how comfortable we were with each other. It was a delightful evening and one I'll remember for always.

How we met

I don't actually remember how we met, so I recruited John into helping me figure out the timeline of sorts. Here is John's version of events:

How I met my (soon to be) wife

I left BYU in December of 2003 to join the Navy. While I was waiting for boot camp I was spending a lot of time hanging out with my sister’s boyfriend Steve. We would mostly just play a lot of video games. On one occasion, sometime in January of 2004, I went over to Steve’s dad’s apartment to play Halo with Steve and his brother Jake. We were playing Halo on the X-Box. I was doing horribly so it was mostly a battle between Jake and Steve. While we were playing, Steve’s sister walked in the front door. She was 16 years old and beautiful! I actually stopped even looking at the TV. She was wearing a short skirt and one of her many band t-shirts. She was the most beautiful punk rock princess I had ever seen. Steve said something to her and she responded by making a face at him and saying something sarcastic. She walked out of the room to talk with her dad and I didn’t see her for the rest of the night.

The next memories I have of Jen are from after I was discharged from the Navy. It was three years later. I remember going to see a movie with her and Jake. Another time we went to see a movie with my family and her family. I saw the last Die Hard movie with the guys while the girls saw a cartoon. Afterwards we went to the mall because Steve wanted to get some dice so we could play Magic: The Gathering. Jen and I drove together in her car. It was the first time that we had done anything alone. We all went camping together with her dad, Jake, Kristi and Steve. I was trying pretty hard to impress her. I remember trying to show her my muscles. She was holding onto my arm and called her dad over to show him as well. I thought I had made my intentions pretty obvious, but she didn’t think so. I found out that she was dating someone and backed off.

The next time my path crossed Jen’s was in 2010. Jen came up to Utah to pick up a wedding dress with her friend Sara. She stayed the night at my parent’s house while I was staying there. Just before she went to sleep I told her that if she had any scary dreams that she could sleep with me in my bed. A few months later we started to talk on the phone pretty regularly. It would always start off with 20 text messages back and forth and then I would call her and say, “We might as well have an actual conversation, instead of texting all night.” One night I decided to be extra bold. I told her that I could remember the first time that I met her and that I had feelings for her. She responded by saying, “Really”?

I have come to learn that I have to be very clear with things when it comes to my dearest! She makes every day wonderful and I can’t wait until she is the first person I see when I wake up and the last person I see before I go to sleep!

Isn't he sweet? He makes me look so bad by remembering all of these things! In my defense, 16-year old Jen didn't know to pay attention to her brother's girlfriend's older brother. However was I supposed to know that walking through my dad's living room would eventually change the course of my life?!

Here is what I remember...

My brother Steve had been dating John's sister, Kristi, since I was 12 years old. They've been happily married since pretty much forever. So, John's just kinda been around. I don't have as clear a memory of the first time I came across him... sorry, Love!

The first time I really remember John being around was after I had surgery when I was 19. We must have been talking or hanging out at the time because after my surgery, he brought me some get better Ben and Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. I thought it was so nice of him! My mom tried several times to convince me that he wouldn't have done that if he didn't like me, and I fervently denied her claims and told her he was "just being nice". Clearly mom's are right and I am oblivious. Again in my defense, John is 7 years older than me, I NEVER thought he would have any interest in me until he said it straight out. Oops.

I do remember the camping trip as well, but I do not remember any displays of muscles or calling my dad to see. Again, oblivious. The next memory of John that I have is him meeting me at Joe's Real BBQ while I was babysitting 2 kids for my friend. He taught 2-year old Xavier that rocks say, "I'm a rock!" while putting their fists on their head. It was hilarious and he was so good with the kids!

I also remember the Utah trip very well. I thought it was so sweet and considerate that John offered for me to come sleep by him if I got scared. Again, oblivious.

Luckily, John finally came straight out and told me one night around Christmas 2010 that he had liked me for years. Oh goodness, I was SHOCKED! We talked more and more and John drove 12 hours to come out and take me on a date in January. We've been starting our happily ever after ever since!

I am so lucky to have this man in my life. I can't wait until we live in the same place and can be with each other everyday! (Awww... mushy, mushy!)

Joining the blogging world!

Well hello interwebs! Since it is inevitable that a blog will be started post marriage, I thought I'd start one early about pre-wedding shenanigans!

John and I are getting married January 7, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. Planning an Arizona wedding with me in California and John in Utah has been an adventure all on its own! Luckily, we have the best friends and family that have helped one ton. I can't wait for our lives to start together!

BTW AZ friends, my cousin Erin (photosbyerinleigh.com) is AMAZING!