A love story

Well, here's a love story, because I know how much we all love those, and I'm partial to mine.

My husband and I met actually back when we were teenagers. I was 14, and he was 13. I moved into their ward (That's mormon for 'we went to the same church'), and we ended up in a solid friend group. Him, his brother, his best friend, and me and my two best friends. The 6 of us spent a LOT of time together.
But don't assume that we were high school sweethearts or anything. Not in the least. My husbands older brother is actually closer to my age, and I had a major crush on him when I was 14-15. Husband was not on the radar at. all.
Well, a week before I turned 16, their family moved to Las Vegas. I was heartbroken. But I had moved before and I knew that keeping up these kinds of long-distance friendships were hard, but I knew that this one was worth it. our families had done spring break together... I did not plan on marrying into the family (though my hopes were not completely lost), but I did plan on staying friends for a long, long time.

Several years later, Older brother went on a mission, and then Husband went on a mission. Husband and I went on a mission at the same time actually. He left one week before I did. I emailed both of them every week. Sometimes other missionaries would tease me about husband, but I knew better. We were just friends, always had been, and always would be, and dating wasn't going to happen.

Looking back, I had had feelings like, if Husband wanted to date or something, it could be fun so I would be up for it, but I didn't think he would ever want to. Plus he was younger than me- so no thank you. Plus I had liked his brother for a long time- so no thank you, awkward.

I got home, then 6 months later he got home. I visited Utah and when I do I like to see all of my friends, and I saw him while I was there- no big deal.

July 4th, 2015- Husband, his mom, and another girl came up to Idaho. His aunt has a ranch 30 minutes away from where I go to college, so we went there and had a grand old time. Me and the other girl got along great and had a lot of fun... but by the end of the weekend I was third-wheeling it. I wasn't mad because I was jealous, but because third-wheeling isn't fun. you know.

Husband and I had texted some- just chatting, I gave advice on girl. 2 weeks later he asked if I was doing anything during lunch time the next day, because he wanted to skype- he had an idea he wanted to run by me. I assumed that I would be helping him with girl issues, so I got home from class, got into gym shorts and a t-shirt, and started painting my nails. Well, 5 minutes into the conversation there was a knock at my door- a pizza was being delivered under his name. I was shocked! I asked him what was going on, and he said that he thought we needed a skype date! So long distance, we ate pizza, talked, and watched the Stone Mountain Laser Show together. I still didn't really like him, but it got me thinking. (I found out later that he was not necessarily into me, but wanted to save face in case I was into him, because he could see it happening sometime. silly boys).

Two weeks after that, over pioneer day weekend, Husband came up to Idaho again. This felt unusual to me, because he never wanted to come to Idaho, ever, and this was twice in one month. He and I and a few of his friends went out to the ranch again, but we were the only ones that stayed the night. The next day he wanted to go back to Provo, and I didn't want him to drive alone, and I had just finished finals, so I decided to go with him!

That road trip was pivotal for us. We talked a lot, about everything. I didn't have any qualms about talking about anything, because I didn't feel any pressure to impress him- I didn't want to. While talking about dating, I mentioned a story about my mission president, and how in my departing interview he told me to marry my best friend. At that moment, I could watch husbands demeanor change- I swear I watched the wheels in his brain turn.

What was I doing? I was sitting in the car with my best friend.

Needless to say, the next day after church, we watched a movie and he held my hand. We talked about it, and he asked me if I wanted to date long distance... I was hesitant because a long distance relationship had just failed for me a couple months prior, but he seemed dedicated. If he was going to put in the effort to come see me, then it could be worth it.

He visited. Several times. I visited. He called, we skyped, and he put in a lot of effort. I loved that I could feel the difference, and I knew that he was dedicated. It was weird for friends and family, heck it was weird for us at first. It all sort of took us by surprise. But exactly on our month, he flew out to Georgia and proposed to me, and we got married on December 19th, 2015.

The engagement was also long-distance, and one of the hardest things I think I have ever done. But it was also so worth it. A trip to Utah, a couple weekends at a ranch- and now I'm married to my best friend.