How we came to be.

Craig and I first met in the singles ward of our local church. I was totally smitten with him and thought he had the cutest smile. Me being the stubborn and impatient person I am, went up to him while attending an FHE activity and asked him out on a date. He of course quietly, and nonchalantly, said "sure." I went away thinking he only agreed to be kind. Our first date took place on February 25, 2012, it was great.....but then again it was only a first date, and was as awkward as any first date usually is. We enjoyed a night out with friends doing a scavenger hunt and walking the Perrine Bridge.

I left the date thinking things had gone great. But when he didn't call me for a second date, I figured the possibility of us ever going out again was fairly slim. The next day at church he muttered a soft "hi" with his head down and kept walking past. The next week at FHE I received a small wave from him....but NO WORDS. No "hi", "how are you?".....NOTHING!! It definitely wasn't going anywhere. Later that evening as I was driving home from FHE I got a call and was so surprised when I saw his name pop up on my phone's screen. He surprisingly asked me on a second date and I excitedly agreed.

Our second date was wonderful. He took me to see Oliver Twist and it was a fun play. Over the next couple weeks we spent time together at church meetings, institute, and a few other extracurriculars. Within the next few weeks we had our 3rd official "date."....Sometime in March. Craig took me to the movies and towards the beginning he asked "will you hold this for me?. I (supposing he was handing me his drink or popcorn to hold) stretched my hand out only to be surprised by his hand clasping mine. I was star struck, and giddy. Following the movie we went back to my parents home and chatted late into the night. when it was time for him to leave we had that awkward silence that always seems to come before a first kiss, and then our lips met. It was bliss, and I knew from that moment I wanted to be with him forever.

We were inseparable the next several months. We spent time together pretty much every day. Usually with him coming to my home. In June he introduced me to his parents. On the way to his home for dinner I was terribly nervous. I recall telling him "as long as your mother doesn't serve fish for dinner everything should go fine." And guess what?! We had fish for dinner!! I ate that fish like a champ.....with lots of sauce on it of course, and swallowed it whole.

That summer was the best summer, we spent a lot of time together at all kinds of different activities and got to know each other really well. End of July I came home and my dad said to me "So Craig came and saw me at the job site today. He asked me if he could marry you and I had to tell him no." Thankfully that was just a prank my dad thought was funny! The next week on August 3rd, 2012 Craig proposed. I'd love to say it was the most romantic proposal but I'd be lying if I did! ;)

We went to Jaker's for dinner and I kept thinking I saw the shape of a ring box in his pants pocket, but I couldn't be totally sure. After dinner we went down in the canyon to Centennial Park for a walk. Along the trail Craig walked over to the edge of the trail where a big hole was. He insisted I come look at what was over there.....of course I refused thinking he had found some kind of animal or bug, and didn't want to chance him throwing it towards me or scaring me with it! After several times of asking me to come over I hesitantly went, looking over his shoulder. He quickly turned around on 1 knee and asked me to marry him. It was quirky, and silly, but it was Craig. and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

He'll tell you I hesitated to say yes, but in reality I was just shocked that it was a diamond ring in his hand and not some kind of crazy specimen. :) But I was excited, and surprised, but oh so happy to say yes!

That next week had our engagement pictures taken by my two sweet aunts. And the wedding date was set for the next month (yes, the very next month) for September 14, 2012. I know.....sounds kind of crazy. We only knew each other and dated for 5 months, and were engaged for 1. But we JUST KNEW....and I didn't want to spend any more time than I had to not being married to him. <3