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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Happy Anniversary

I'm on a plane right now, but I thought I should tell the world that it's our anniversary!

Nine years ago on this day in history, Andrew and I got married. How did that ever happen? Well...

October 12, 2005: Andrew was released from his mission. Hours after taking off his name tag, he met me in the Harold B. Lee Library and we went on our first date (to the Cougar Eat—soooo romantic).

October 14, 2005: We went our second date (a picnic in the canyon—much more romantic). From that point on we saw each other every single day until we got married.

October 18, 2005: Andrew asked me to be his girlfriend. He said he was finished "dating around" (having gone one one date with one other girl *begin fist shake* Stormie *end fist shake*) and wanted to "be official." We held hands for the first time. By accident.

October 21, 2005: We kissed for the first time. On purpose.

October 26, 2005: We got engaged. By accident.

December 16, 2005: We got married. On purpose.

*****

We "officially" dated for 1 week and 1 day. We were engaged for 1 month and 3 weeks.

In our defense, we had known each other for five years, so I suppose we knew—a little—what we were getting into.

A few stories should be shared in greater detail, like how we accidentally got engaged. I think I mentioned this story once in passing and I think someone (Amy?) asked me to share more about it...but I don't think I ever did.

We were just starting a tradition of going to the temple once a week (a tradition we kept going until Rachel was born (except for a brief hiatus during our semester in Jordan)—and then such frequency wasn't manageable anymore). We met young Italian man in the baptistry. He and Andrew were talking in Italian in the locker room and they continued their conversation as we walked out of the temple. The young Italian man was unaware that I had been taking an Italian class.

"Quando stai sposi?" the young man suddenly asked Andrew ("When are you getting married?").

"Che cosa?!" I sputtered ("What?!").

"Lei parla italiano!" Andrew gasped out ("She speaks Italian!").

The young man broke away from us at a run. "Ummm... It was nice to meet you. Good-bye!" he called out.

Andrew and I walked on in silence for a few paces before he stopped and turned to face me.

"Hypothetically speaking, could that ever happen?" Andrew asked.

"Yes!" I said. "I think so. Do you think so?"

"Yes!" he said.

And just like that we were engaged. We went ring shopping soon after that but then the ring had to be sized so I didn't get it until much later. Rings aren't necessary for an engagement, right?

*****

Since getting married we've...
  • lived in 2 states
  • lived in 3 countries
  • had 3.5 children
  • moved 6 times (plus a couple more, maybe)
  • competed 9 years of school
  • visited 14 countries (collectively)
  • visited 26 states and 2 provinces (collectively)
  • spent 12 years serving in primary (collectively)
  • started a handful of small kitchen fires
  • held down an uncountable number of odd jobs
  • had a really great time
Nine years down. Infinity to go!

I'm hoping the next nine years will bring...
  • at least .5 more children
  • another graduation followed by
  • an actual job, which will probably entail
  • another move
  • more travel
  • more good times

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