Yes, 10 years ago I married a guy that I had only spent 25 days with and whom I had only known for 7 months. It is kind of a cool story of how we met:
I was 25, living in Utah and feeling like I was just drifting. I hated that feeling. I was working full-time, but I didn't feel like I had much purpose. I prayed to know what I should do with my life. I wanted to stretch and grow as a person. I received the inspiration that I should move to Vancouver, WA (where my parents lived) to work and teach seminary.
Seminary is a program that all
LDS high school students go through. The students go to the church before school (that would be 6am) for all 4 years and have an in depth study of the scriptures. It is such a great way to start the day for these students. Seminary teachers are not paid. It is an intense assignment, but so rewarding.
I had taught one year of seminary after my mission and decided that I wanted to go back home and teach again. This year we would be studying the Old Testament. I was excited to go to the Seminary Symposium at BYU to get some great ideas and lesson plans for the school year.
I walked into the first class of the day and decided to sit on the far left side of the room by myself in the 2nd row. I did notice a tall, dark haired guy in the row in front of me, but I am the not the type that will initiate a conversation. Luckily for me, he was.
We made small talk until the class started. I tried to take everything in, but in my mind I was curious about this very different guy I had just met. He really was different....in a good way! He was from Pennsylvania. He was baptized into the church when he was 21. He had gone on a mission to Orange County, Ca (coincidentally, where I grew up) when he was 25 and had just been home a year. He had recently been asked to teach seminary and I could tell that he had an enthusiasm for the gospel. He had the kindest blue eyes and a fun personality. I wondered if we would talk again, or go our separate ways after the class.
Well, the class ended and to my delight, this new friend asked me what class I was planning on going to next. We ended up spending the whole day together and going out that night. We met again the following day and spent the last day of the symposium together.
Soon, it was time for us to go out separate ways. I was moving to Washington state and he was going back to PA. We traded e-mail and phone numbers and promised to call and write. And that we did!
We spent many hours on the phone in the weeks after we met and became so close. We learned so much about each other. I learned that he used to have long hair and played guitar in a heavy metal band. I learned that he preferred to work at night and sleep during the day. I learned that he had a motorcycle and I knew I had met my soul mate when he told me that he had just eaten a bunch of cookie dough and felt sick! I already loved him and knew that he was "the one". One month after we met, he came to WA for a visit and asked me to marry him. I said, YES! and we celebrated by going on our second date.
Six months, many hours on the phone and countless e-mails later, we were married in the Portland, Oregon Temple. Our honeymoon was driving my car and stuff to PA. I'm still hoping that we can go on a real honeymoon someday! I'm thinking Hawaii!!!!
So, 10 years and 3 kids later, I can say that I was blessed enough to marry the perfect person for me. Here's to many more years! Love you Honey!!!!
beautiful story - here's to countless years to you two!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I found you because I googled recipes for Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks! I noticed you had tons of different recipes on here so I decided to add you to my igoogle Google Reader. When this post came up I thought... "Hey that dress is quite modest... I wonder if she is LDS?" Lo and behold you are! I am too, what a small world... I randomly found you on the internet. :) I live in Utah right now with my husband and little baby boy and we use your recipes all the time! Thanks for such a cool blog :) Oh and that was a lovely story about you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! (: I grew up in Orange County, too...small world!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story, Melody! Congrats to you!
ReplyDeleteLove the story! Congratulations on 10 happy years (and all pounds gained the month you celebrate your anniversary don't really count). ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bride and wonderful love story! I'll be celebrating my 10 year anniversary this June.
ReplyDeleteThats such a sweet story :) Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures and great story! congrats!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! Congrats to you both!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wedding pictures! You look so amazing. What a wonderful story on how you guys met. How romantic you guys knew that you were each others' soulmates.
ReplyDeletemelody, i love it! such fun pictures and a wonderful story! here's to many many more years of celebration!
ReplyDeleteYour wedding photos are beautiful, hope your anniversary is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story! The pictures are gorgeous - your'e gorgeous! Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to hear a little history behind the recipes! Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeletePS When I was a teenager I wanted to get married in the Portland temple (even though I was from Minnesota)! I still consider it one of the prettiest, although I've only ever seen it once.
ReplyDeleteOh what a sweet story!! I love to hear how couples met. Happy Anniversary to you and here is to many more!! I love you site!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and sweet story! Gorgeous, gorgeous wedding photos:D
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary.
I love your story! So sweet. Congrats and I love the picures. Thanks for sharing : )
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ReplyDeleteThat's such a sweet story. Thanks for sharing it! Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDelete~ingrid
We were married 10 years ago too at the portland temple...I recognized the pattern on the doors.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 10 years of bliss & happiness.
Melo- I didn't realize you are such a stereotype mormon girl engagement story, hahahaha! JK! thank you for sharing that story, I love it! you both were older and mature enough to know you were each others eternal mates, and I am so honored to know you both! Congratulations! where did you go on your 2nd date? I love ya!
ReplyDeleteLori
I love your story! What an inspiration and how fortunate for you both that your husband wasn't shy and struck up a conversation. A fleeting moment turning into a beautiful life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. Saying that you were a karate mom had me popping on over here to check out your blog and say hi. I'm now following you and I look forward to diving into your recipes and getting to know you better. :)
I don't know if you'll see this, since this is an older post. What a sweet story! :D Thanks for sharing it. After 17 years, I'm still waiting for that "honeymoon" in Hawaii. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the Marjorie Hinckley quote on the right!
Dear Melody, It was fun to read your romantic story It was even better living it with you. I must admit that your mother and I were a little nervous, you having been with him such a short time. We love Bob and know he is taking good care of our precious Melody that we love so much. Your blog is so fun and personal!! Dad
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