March Madness (hahaha)

March 2nd was the first time we actually did proxy work for temple sealings together. We had been sitting next to each other throughout, and other married couples in attendance were sitting next to each other. I had actually been trying to focus on the sealer so we wouldn't be the oogly couple of the bunch, but near the last names Garrett and I looked at each other and smiled. It was only a short time later that the sealer paused, and, saying he rarely said this, informed us that there was quite a magnetism between us. I'm sure Garrett and I looked at him in what only could have been surprise. We gently  let him know that we were dating.... =)

March 5th was a day of study and branching out into crafts. I was glad to contribute  a craft idea that Garrett hadn't yet done. I brought forth my copper foil, dowl, and patterns with which to make a copper foil picture. It's a fairly simple process of pressing a pattern into copper foil with the dowl, and retracing that pattern until it becomes 3 dimensional. Garrett settled down for a few hours and churned out a couple pulling a handcart. I proceeded to press tree branches into my piece of foil, and we used liver of sulfur to oxidize the copper. We then used polyurethane to seal off the copper. Garrett supplied frames.

March 7th was the day you introduced me to mac and cheese from a box. I should say, good quality mac and cheese. I remember you explaining how it was important to get spongebob shaped noodles to better retain the cheese. I had planned on dropping by the store after United Way to pick up a few things, and you ran over to meet me. We decided upon Aunt Annie's white cheddar mac and cheese, and kraft spongebob. I watched avidly as you showed me the proper order of cooking the pasta, adding the butter, then milk, and lastly the cheese. Finally, let it sit for a few minutes to congeal (sorry, I couldn't think of a more appetizing word to describe that process!). We used a free redbox code to grab Hunger Games and made the executive decision to skip Institute. Which we would probably feel more guilty about if we weren't so frequently doing other spiritual activities, made the minimum attendance requirement, and had a choice of institute classes to attend....

The next day Garrett showed me how to play racquetball. He is good. And he is a good teacher. I'm persistent in my efforts to do the same thing over with the same results; I vividly remember swinging at the ball, certain I'd make connection. I usually missed, and would look down at my racket to assure myself a hole hadn't appeared, and then down at my arm to reason out how I'd gauged the distance wrongly (yet again). At one point Garrett slide across the floor in his slippy pants. I just watched (probably with an open mouth) and let the ball go flying past my head. At another point Garrett jumped off the wall to hit the ball. Yes, he is a sexy man.

The next Sunday, March 10, Garrett and I went to a small dinner gathering with two of his brothers and their wives and children. One of the nieces exclaimed that I had curly hair, just like her and Ariel! They were all adorable. We had kebabs and great conversation. An hour or two later Garrett and I headed toward home to do our weekly planning. We decided to head to the parking lot at the foot of the Y-hike to watch the sunset (yes, we are aware of the stigma associated with that lot). We planned out the week, and then did an assessment of things that were going on in each of our lives. It was about this point that, due to the discrepancy between the internal and external temperatures of the car, that the windows began to fog up. As the conversation meandered and we discussed and resolved, we moved on to the topic of our relationship,where we were and where we wanted to go. As the conversation progressed, I eventually took Garrett's face in my hands, squished his cheeks, looked into his eyes, and proclaimed "Garrett, I love you". He too proclaimed his love for me, we had a brief and chaste kiss in the already steamy car, and finished our conversation.

On March 11th Garrett tried to show me the full body relax. We laid ourselves on the floor, and he explained how you relax each part of your body, head down. He closed his eyes and began. I was only able to watch him quietly for about 10 seconds before I started laughing. Let's just say we didn't get much farther than that. We also decided to be wicked and skip FHE to do our own. We climbed up onto the roof and made smore's with a small burner. We also had a great lesson and discussion. On the way down I realized that due to my weak upper body strength, I wouldn't be able to maneuver my body down the hole we had climbed up without some assistance. I only needed help going from straight arms, to dropping my body below my arms (totally doesn't make sense in writing...), but I wasn't able to convey this to Garrett. So, he was there ready to support me on my way down. Awkward story even shorter than it already is, I ended up sitting on his face. Fortunately he's a good sport =)

Garrett taught two classes on March 12th. I was able to attend the first one (he's a darn good teacher!), and then I went off to do a few errands while he taught the other. A little later that day we went to Subzero for the first time together. Later that evening we ushered Cyrano DeBergerac on campus and watched the play.

 We went to my good friend Mikelle's mission farewell on March 17th. At one point, after having met our other coworker and friend, Garrett asked if having curly hair was requisite for working in our department. We all laughed but then realized that all four of us had curly hair. I have no explanation. We then drove to Garrett's Aunt Robin's house, and did a little bit of wedding planning in the car.

On March 29th we went out with Josh and Cec again, to a little place called Black Sheep Cafe. The food and conversation were great. We next drove to Target to gather supplies for our Easter Celebration. Upon arriving home, we dyed easter eggs, and drained the yolk and watercolored some other eggs. It was a lot of fun, the the yolk being blown out of the egg looked unappealing to say the least.

On Easter day we took the eggs (as well as some other goodies we'd accumulated) to Aunt Robin's for a family Easter dinner. Garrett and I took a few minutes before dinner to hide our eggs and candy around the yard. It was a lot of fun, and the candy was cavity-inducing yummy.

Garrett's family has a tradition of filling out March Madness brackets. We both lost. Realllly lost. So I suggested that whichever of us got a lower score treat the other to a milkshake. I provided chocolate milkshakes from Arby's =)

February fun

February 10 We are awesome and decided to do a themed movie night...we decided on the movie Chocolat and with the French them in mind made delicious dessert Crepes. We both really enjoyed the movie and soundtrack and for valentines day I gave Michelle a little "Chocolat" gift of Dark Chocolate and the soundtrack.

February 11 We decided to our own FHE and assembled 72 Hour kits. This is one of those things I've always wanted to do but put off and it felt good to finally get 'er done. It was fun having all of our emergency goodies strewn about the table and coordinating together.

February 14 V-day! No longer single awareness day (SAD). We went out to Macaroni Grill for some fine Italian dining...flat bread pizza and butternut squash pasta goodness. Prego. Afterwards we came back and watched the perks of being a wall flower, a heavy, but worthwhile movie to watch. To finish the night off we volunteered for and watched a ballet version of sleeping beauty...it was SOOOO boring and long! It only got interesting when we made fun of the stallion legs of the head dude and the cats came out. I was wearing Eric's tight hipster pants to make my butt look real good for Michelle. We exchanged gifts...I had got some frames and materials for staining frames for Michelle and she made me the coolest tie I've ever seen. She also littered me with treats.

February 16-19 Orangeville...where the magic happens. We went down to O-ville to visit the grams and had a blast.  I kissed Michelle in a giant tree (highlight) and then we told each other poop stories (second highlight). Initially we had gone down to help lay stone for Janice and Gerri's fireplace, which we did, but most of our time was spent gorging ourselves, relaxing, and cleaning up around the house. It was very peaceful. We went on a walk and pet every dog on the street...it was funny because we both thought the other person had a destination in mind when in reality we were just walking aimlessly. Another thing I really enjoyed was bearing testimony with Michelle in here grandparent's primary class. Lowlight-that stinky show "Keeping up Appearances." Luckily we watched "Amazing Grace" to make up for it.

February 21 Utah Lake; Tasty Thursday is born: Quiche (photos)

February 22 Red Robin and White Collar; Michelle killed by stealthy assassins (dang spencer—you are
dead to me)

February 23 Frames; Walk and Pumpkin Muffins; Personal Docs (we’re so adult)—established we were
on track for marriage today.

February 24 Stake Conference makeout sesh (puke on my face; poop stain)

February 27 Springville Museum of Art and Morrocan Stew; Race to Costco to beat the clock (Garrett
was especially hormonal)

Other fun datee things:  Windshield repair and perusing Center street; Faith and Scholarship Symposium; Timpanogos Temple (more hacking cough); Walmart picture fail and eric’s birthday gift; Heavy weights; replaced m and m’s

After some semi-awkward phone calls and a relaxing Christmas break, Michelle and I reunited and recommenced our courtship. Here are some highlights from January:

January 5 The first week back was a busy one but Michelle quickly redeemed one of her Christmas coupons, so went to visit Ikea. That had to be the fastest Ikea trip I've ever been on. I feel like we talked about a million things while we were there and yet I blinked twice and we were already through the whole building. I like Michelle's taste...and think our home will look pretty dang good with our two creative minds at work. 

We made a stop at IN-and-OUT after. This is where Michelle revealed that she turns into a gremlin if she is tired and hungry...I gave her an extra helping of fries, just in case. :)

January 11 SNOW DAY!! Today was such a fun and relaxing day. I think it was one of the first days where Michelle and I were able to be really comfortable with each other and just 'play.' There had just been a heavy snowfall so we walked over to a nearby drainage area to enjoy the snow. Within seconds of reaching the snow, a snowball fight ensued that resulted in tackling and rolling in the snow. We made snow angels and started to make a sculpture of Mount Rushmore but our presidents looked more like Muppets. 

After we'd had enough of the snow we went to Michelle's to watch the movie Troop Beverly hills—we talked and talked, talked and talked. It was one of the first nights we had really opened up and shared some of our deep, dark secrets. I love how open and communicative Michelle is. 

January 14 So we went to this stake activity at Brother Brinton’s house (he's in the stake presidency) and he was trying so hard to get us to talk about our relationship, show him our engagement ring, etc.; he obviously wanted to take control of our courtship and have the bragging rights when we got married. I hate, hate, hate one people do that so I didn't take the bait. 

As part of the activity, girls shoes were taken and put on the table. A boy had to grab the shoe and go on a date with its owner. Michelle's shoe landed on the table of course, so she hastily snuck it back...I won't share her with anybody! Although if we had played our cards right we might have got a free date out of it. 

January 16 One of my favorite dates was going to the Provo library with Michelle, searching for and reading our favorite children’s books. We read titles like "I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always," "Zen shorts," "The little critter," and many more. It was fun to sit in the children's section and step out of our busy lives for a bit...also, interesting to see what books had an impact in our lives and why.

January 17 A lot happened this night but what I remember most is sitting on the floor with Michelle talking and sharing music. I loved sitting close to you and just talking about anything and everything, listening to each others music, looking up concerts, etc.

January 19 Michelle redeemed another coupon to go to the The Leonardo, an art and science museum in Salt Lake. They had an exhibit all about the work of diVinci.  It was a pretty frigid morning but we hopped on the Front Runner and made our way up. Small world...we had a guy take our picture (the pictures turned out so awkward :) ) on the front runner and two months later he was one of the guys trying to sell us wedding rings at the mall. Crazy. 

So our planning wasn't perfect and we had to walk something like 15 blocks to the museum (oops). It was nice to walk that distance with Michelle but I think we both got a little sweaty. On the way over a homeless guy jabbed me with his elbow. Hello and thank you.

January 21 Martin Luther King Jr. day was packed with fun and service (redundant, I know); We baked bread to deliver to the bishop and he seemed so grateful. He was in sweats, working from home and was so bashful about it--super funny.  We went down to campus for a bit to make homemade journals for youth in treatment as well--a fun crafty project. 

After our service we went snow shoeing and had a blast. Michelle surprised me with how playful she was and how she let loose. I started to like her even more. She got trapped in multiple bushes (hilarious), and was surprisingly agile as she dove in the snow to beat me in a snow shoe race. Her agility was spoiled a bit by her uncanny ability to do the splits in her snow shoes (unintentional) but that just made me like her more.We hiked up to Big Spring in South Fork Canyon and drunk from the spring. Chilly and refreshing. 

That night we got to go out to dinner with her friend Ceeci and her husband Josh. Cafe Rio (yum) on her old boss (Roger's) tab (double yum). 

January 25 Craft night! We both got all our arts and crafts stuff out. This is when I knew we were a match made in Heaven. Michelle made some nice cards for thank you notes, etc. and I made a paper bag owl puppet for Jack and Emma. We made muddie buddies!! Too good. 

After we went to Macey's for some ingredients Michelle saw a homeless man and felt inclined, after the fact, to go back and give him some of our wares. He had disappeared so we went on a hunt for homeless folk, but it was too late and cold I think, and we missed him. A day or to later I had a strong prompting to flip around and give the same treats to another homeless man and did so. I'm glad we both followed promptings...we now keep a little homeless kit in my car!

January 31-Feb 4 California Trip (Long drive, podcasts (pig bung), San Fran, walks in the park; photos

Other dates: Waffle Breakfast and Fun-glish; geocaching...sort of; fondue and fireside; frozen hot chocolate; Jodha Akbar--unofficial sundance film festival. 

I wanted to highlight some of the first dates we went on in our courtship. The best decision I've ever made was asking you out that first night in December. 

December

First date: Went to Stephanie Jarstad's photography exhibit and the MOA. Afterwars we went and talked to over ice-cream. There's something about ice cream that makes what a guy says sound so brilliant...that's the only way I can explain how she'd say yes to a second date with me.

Michelle invited me to see the movie timothy green with some friends. I was so excited to sit with her but ended up having to rush off soon after. Our first movie together...it's a good one!

Second date: Michelle taught me how to make the most amazing Cilantro Lime Quinoa dish. She walked in wearing a simple gray sweater and I thought “oh man, she’s gorgeous"...that's when I knew :)

Other fun dates: Krishna Yoga, Hike on the Bonneville Shoreline, The Artist

After multiple dates Michelle came to help me babysit Jack and Emma. She said she'd be terrible with kids but they fell in love with her of course. After the kids were in bed we sat out in the living area reading and playing games in the friend magazine. I wanted to hold her hand so bad. What a babe! Emma and Jack kept sneaking out of bed. Cuties.

The night we held hands. We were watching White Christmas and even though I'd held a girl's hand before I was terrified to take Michelle's hand. Finally, with clammy hands and a timid voice I said "This may be a little boyish but can I hold your hand." She emphatically said yes and it was a hot, sweaty mess, but it was great.

Right before Christmas we did a gift exchange. I wasn't expecting Michelle to get me anything but she surprise me with an amazing climbing encyclopedia a book for the nieces and nephews and some treats for my drive to California. So thoughtful. I made her some paper flowers and left her with a coupon book for some fun future dates and adventures. Looking forward to an eternity full of adventures.