Chad and I met 10 years ago and I'm all nostalgic and whatnot. Here's our story:
Jan 6, 2014 First class at BYU-Idaho, 7am Calculus. I walked across the frozen campus to sit nervously in a seat. I was hoping a cute boy would sit next to me and guess what...one did! I was pretty excited. Then Bro Saunders announced that who we sat by would be our partner for the semester. Yippie!
Jan 7 Sat down, waiting for my math partner when this skinny white guy sits down next to me! I was so upset. We exchanged information to contact each other.
A few days later I slept through class. I got a call from skinny white kid to see if I wanted help catching up, the group was getting together. I'd go to the group but no way was this guy helping ME (the math girl) with math! I didn't get it, he did help, I was not nice about it.
Skinny white kid (Chad of course) comes in wearing a hockey jersey, telling the group to come to one of his games on campus. He was a goalie. I was impressed.
We found out we lived in the same apartment complex. Then a few days later he asked me if I'd like a ride to class. (Rexburg in January, early morning, across campus, I would have said yes to anyone!) I accepted.
First week in February A serious boyfriend came to visit me for a week. We decided to play football in the snow with my roommates. I suggested we invite a shy kid from my math class. He says yes (I was pretty good lookin'). Chad was terrible at football! But during hot chocolate after I enjoyed a long conversation about our families. Boyfriend said bye and told me he knew who my next boyfriend would be. I said, no way!
I stopped by Chad's apartment to say hi. He was watching Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English. I joined him because it reminded me of home. We talked about crazy movie choices. I challenged him to sit through Monty Python and time for something completely different.
He totally won the challenge.
I decided to ask him on a date. I waited until after a hockey game. He had all of his gear. He turned me down, said he "had something."
I was a little dishearten but a lot more stubborn. So a few days later, I dragged my roommates Sarah and Kay and Kay's fling, NICMO Mike (non-committal make-out), over to his apartment. I must have stepped out at some point because as soon as we left Sarah turned to me and said, "Chad said not to tell you but that he likes you!" I mean we were just outside his door. I had to smile at her secret keeping skills.
Some how we ended up going a date, I don't know who asks who. But as we were sitting in his truck I said, "Sarah told me you like me." (Marvel at my secret keeping skills.) Without looking at me he said, "Guess the cats out of the bag." Who says that? Weirdo. Anyways, we went to Wendy's and 50 First Dates. I was assuming we'd hold hands or something now that we both knew we liked each other. But no. Now that I know Chad, that makes sense.
Feb 14 (Valentines day)
Chad has a date with someone else. I tell him to cancel. He's a gentlemen and doesn't. Stinker!
Feb 15
Chad gave a talk at his ward, I went to it. I straightened my hair and wore a stunning blue outfit. I really wanted to catch this guy! I was behind a large man during his talk and kept peeking around this guy, making faces at Chad. I was a little distracting.During Sunday School, I kept bugging him. Finally he grabbed my hand just to get me to leave him alone. But the way that he held my hand stunned me. He was gentle. I felt precious. I grew up with 4 boys and their friends. I wasn't a lady, I was nothin' but a sister. Not with Chad, I was a lady.
That night I went over to his apartment again. He was drinking hot chocolate from a mug with cow print on it. All of a sudden he said, "Well hello there." There's a statue of a cow in the bottom of the mug and he was saying hello to the cow. I was in love! Someone who made me laugh and was gentle and kind. Not in a romantic way but very genuine.
As he walked me back to my apartment, he pulled me around to face him and gave me a kiss. My last first kiss. A few hours later, we were engaged. All I have to say about that is, the Spirit was strong. I liked Chad...A LOT! But I wouldn't have agreed to marry him. But I felt so strongly that we should get engaged. Shh, don't tell my kids, it sounds crazy.
Moving past that part, over the next 6 months we got to know each other in a hurry. I don't know how we actually went through with it but we did and everyday, everyday I'm grateful I did. He still makes me laugh and treats me like a lady.
So there you have it. Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite.