Sunday, February 14, 2010

Lovey Dovey

Because today is Valentine's day, I am going to post a little something about Husband.

I met Husband when I was 21 years old, and planning on serving a mission for my church. I had just moved back to Utah from California after a long, and arduous break-up and recovery from said break-up. I felt like gravity was pulling me East rather than securely keeping my feet planted where they were. I didn't know why I would need to be in Utah, but I knew I had to be there. So, with about $100 in my pocket, some gas money to get there, and a suitcase full of clothes, I drove back out across the salt flats.

Within a day I had found a place to live, and within a week I found a job.

Around the same time, my friend Jeff, was coming home from Zurich, Switzerland, after serving a mission for our church. I went to his homecoming party, and that is where I first lay eyes on the future Husband. He was wearing these nerdy black framed glasses, and had an amazing smile.

One night, a few days later, I was hanging out with Jeff and some other people, and Husband was there too. Apparently he had had the worst day earlier that day, and was telling a very animated story about what had happened.

He made me smile, and at that moment something in me changed. I didn't know his name, only his smile. So, I decided to introduce myself. I thought he was another friend of Jeff's, but it turns out he wasn't who I thought he was. When I said, "You must be so and so," he smiled and said, "I wish I were." Then he told me his name, and for some reason, it sounded familiar. It was really strange. I knew I had read, or seen that name before, and it bothered me the rest of the night, though not enough to distract me from that smile.

I came home, and looked through all the letters I had from Jeff that he had written me throughout his mission, and then, I found it. Jeff had sent me a picture in the second letter he had written me. There were four boys, and as I looked at the picture, all of these feelings came flooding back from two years prior.

When I had first received the letter with the picture, I remember looking at it and seeing the names on the back, and being drawn to this one boy in particular. I had this feeling that he was going to be a big part of my life. "That's CRAZY!" I thought. But this feeling kept nagging me to write this boy a letter and start a correspondence. I ignored it completely. I was in a bad relationship at the time, and didn't want to get out of it for some crazy reason, and felt that it wouldn't be right to have a boyfriend and write another boy at the same time.

So, all those buried feelings came rushing back when I saw the name on the back of that photograph, and I realized that perhaps this boy in the picture was why I had felt I needed to move back to Utah.

Over the next few months we started hanging out almost every night. Then, Husband asked if he could go with me on a road trip to see where I was from.

On that road trip, EVERYTHING changed. He became more to me than a friend, and though I didn't know it yet, I had become more to him as well.

When we got home to Utah, things felt different between us, though neither of us really addressed it.

Two days later, on Halloween, we were hanging out at Jeff's house for a Halloween party, and Husband asked if I wanted to share the loveseat, and then if I wanted to share a blanket. Then, he tried, so awkwardly to put his arm around me and make his move to being more than friends. He was struggling with the right opportunity to put his arm around me, and so I helped him out. I leaned in to him and put my hand on his other hand under the blanket. We were holding hands! Then, he felt more comfortable to put his arm around me. His heart was beating so fast and hard, I could feel it pounding.

After the movie was over, and everyone went upstairs to leave, Husband tugged my hand to stay down stairs. He hugged me close, and I gave him a little (inside joke) advice. "Why haven't you kissed me yet, you jackass?" I laughed, thinking we could laugh it off, but then, he kissed me. Even though it was a little awkward, (I found out later that it was his first kiss) it was magical. That kiss instantly made me happy-and kept me happy throughout the next day!

Things moved pretty fast after that. By February 28th, I was wondering where things were going. (The story of this night is a LONG one, so I will save it for another time) but by the end of the night, I was leaving, and crying, and was pretty sure things were going to be over, though I didn't tell Husband that. He chased me to my car, and sat with me. In a very strange, and spiritual experience, he asked me to marry him. "Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes. Will you marry me?" He said again.

I didn't know what to think, what to do, but I knew the answer was yes, and I told him so. I couldn't believe it. I was getting married to the boy with the black rimmed glasses and the beautiful smile.

Two months later, on May 10th, we were married for eternity, and our life together took a new turn.

We are now Mr. and Mrs. Husband, and as I sit here now, I can't believe it's been as long as it has. We were two crazy kids in love. Things moved and happened so fast, it's amazing we knew what we were doing, though maybe we didn't know. We just knew it was right and we needed to be together. It was gravity. Gravity has kept us together.

I know he is my soul mate. I know we are supposed to be together. I know that no matter what life brings us, as long as we are together we will be able to get through anything. (Ask me about it sometime if you are interested, we've already been through a lot and tested that theory).

8 years later, and I love him more deeply than I thought possible. I love this man so much.

When I look at that picture, I still get those butterflies and get that feeling that told me, "This boy is going to be a big part of your life." Boy oh boy, I had no idea!

 
(This was taken at about half way point from the wedding and now). 
Cyndi Lauper concert, Las Vegas, 2006.

ISN'T HE GORGEOUS?!!!!
I still find myself looking at him some days and thinking, "Why did he choose me? He's way too hot for me!"


With Love,
Suz

3 comments:

Olivia Carter said...

Oh! Such a cute story & I love the old picture of you guys!

Cranberryfries said...

Aw! I love that you took his hand and then he was able to know he could go through with putting his arm around you. And first kiss! Love it.

Jill Hunt said...

I LOVE that story! So sweet! Wow and you were his first kiss! That is awesome! And by the way, he picked you because you are both beautiful inside and out!