The Story of How We Met

I knew from the moment I first met him that he was special. He made my heart so warm and full from our very first conversation. My husband and I met in a small town at a little milk shake bar. I was sitting alone and he came and sat next to me and started talking to me over a milkshake. We were both freshman in college, I was 18, he was 20. He had just returned from serving for 2 years on a church mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (If you don't know about church missions you can read more about them here) As most people who have met a recently returned missionary know they are happy little go getters that are kind of socially awkward, especially around girls (which I thought was super cute).

I could tell he was different when I met him. From the moment he started talking to me I saw what a kind and genuine person he was. You know when you talk to people they ask the stereotypical questions and it's just very surface level, it was nothing like that. I feel like it was the first time a complete stranger was asking questions about me that they sincerely wanted to know. He made me feel so special.

We hung out almost daily after that. A week and a half after we meet he asked me to go on a date with him. It was a group date to the sand dunes for a bonfire. It was fall time so it was a little chilly. We sat close to each other with a blanket just talking and having fun with the group. After the bonfire we all went to his friends apartment to watch a movie. After some teasing and encouragement from his friends he had the courage to put his arm around me (though briefly). It was all just so sweet and that pretty much describes him entirely. He walked me back to my door and gave me a hug goodnight. After that we continued to go on dates to get to know one another better and by the middle of the month we were officially a couple.

At the beginning of the next month I ran off to Arizona with him. It was spring break and I had no where else to go so I figured why not. I met his sweet family for the first time. We said our first I love yous at a park near his families home. Everything about it was perfect.

Just another month later we were talking about getting married. Crazy, right! But when you know, you know. The following month we were engaged and then married the month after that. Looking back it all happened so fast, but at the time it didn't seem fast enough! In all we had known each other for 5 months when we got married.

My husband and I have been married for 3 years now. We've had a lot of ups and downs just like anyone else, especially with our journey of infertility. But despite our struggles life hasn't been all bad. Looking at the grandeur scheme of things has helped me to realize that I can honestly say that I am grateful for this time I've had with just him. It was not our plan, our even our desire, but we've manged to find some joy in our situation.

This time together has allowed us to really strengthen and take time to enjoy our marriage. I mean, married life these past few years has been a non stop slumber party with my best friend, and who wouldn't want that? We've really taken advantage of being childless the best we could. We took spontaneous road trips, traveled, stayed up late watching movies, slept in, and really just got to know one another better throughout these years. So it's a happy love story despite the challenges we've faced, and I'm hopeful that it will continue to be one.