10 Years ago today

It was 10 years ago today, the day after Valentine's Day, that Dave proposed to me. He didn't want to ask me to marry him on Valentine's Day because it's just too cliche- so he waited for the next day. I still remember that Valentine's dinner out at "Rodizio Grill" in Provo. Dave was acting a little different and was in the bathroom at least 6 or 7 times! He was having some major nerves (I just thought it was Brazil re-visiting). Little did I know that he had already called my Dad and asked permission, he had the whole date for the next night set up, and he had the ring in his pocket.

The next day as I was walking up to campus by the botany pond by BYU, Dave drove by. Neither of us were expecting to see eachother. I never saw him that early in the morning on those days, neither of us had class- but I happened to be going in at a different time. I gave him a big smile and a wave. I didn't know at that time that he was taking a detour by my house right then because he was still so nervous about that night. He just wanted to drive by my apartment, but he said that as soon as he saw me that morning- he was so excited and thrilled and just knew that he was making the right choice. I was just surprised to see him and crazy in love. I had no idea. Unlike Dave (which makes it impossible to ever surprise him) I don't read into things too much. I wasn't thinking about all of these possibilities and what if's. I knew that Dave was the man for me and I wasn't in any hurry to get engaged or married. I was just happy and knew it would happen soon.

That night we went on a double date with my best friend Katree and my brother Gibby. We went to the place of our first date (again, I wasn't reading into anything- I was just excited that my brother was going out with my best friend... and excited to kick Dave's butt on the obstacle course! :) We went to "Extreme Competition" where they had all of these blow up obstacle courses, sumo wrestling costumes, huge foam poles to knock your opponent off of their pedestal, and other fun things to compete. We had a great time playing, laughing, and I kicked Dave's rear on everything! (I don't really remember)

We walked back over to the lockers and I took my shoe out to put on my foot. There was something inside my shoe. I reached into my shoe and felt a velvety, fuzzy box and that was when I knew. I knew that my life was about to change forever. I shakily took the box out of the shoe and just looked at it. Dave told me to open it. Katrina and Gibby were there smiling and Katrina was taking pictures! I opened the box to see a beautiful platinum ring that I had never seen before but instantly fell in love with. Dave got down on his knee and proposed to me. I just remember him saying that he wanted me to be with him forever and then those beautiful, magical, special, incredible words that have been said millions of times before, but were never before just for me, "Will you marry me?" I cried a happy "YES!!" and we kissed and were both shaking and laughing! What a moment!

After he proposed- Gibbs and Katrina went home and Dave and I had a magical dinner at "Macaroni Grille". We just stared at eachother, stared at the ring, and talked about our future together that was no longer a question but a reality. I remember sitting there at the resturaunt completely oblivious to anyone around us. The waitress apologized a few times with how slow the service was, we even got our entree and dessert for free! We didn't even notice. How would I know that I would love him 10 times more now than I did at that moment 10 years ago. I am so grateful for these past 10 years. I am so grateful for the good times, the tough times, and the comfort that comes with really knowing someone. Isn't it crazy how marriage works? You choose someone who is a practical stranger (no matter how well you know them) and you trust them with the rest of your life.

How would I know how Dave would react to his first real career choice or to a move across the country that would take him away from his family for 6 years. How could I have known how he would handle my crazy pregnancy or no money. How could I have known how he would react when he saw his first baby girl born? Changed his first diaper? Dealt with the endless wakeful nights that come with a new baby? How would I have known that he would stand beside me, carry me home from the hospital, help me with my dinners, build up my testimony in the gospel, cry with me at Disney movies, or encourage my painting. Dave has always been there for me. He has always been the first to cheer me on or pick me up when I am down. He is everything to me. Happy 10 years!