6 Days

Where You Are Getting Married

The Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

Image from here

7 Days

Something Lost with Marriage; Something Gained

Something I will lose: The freedom to spend money "willy-nilly" if I so choose. I've been budgeting for a few years now, but I've still generally had the financial freedom to do pretty much what I want. Now we'll be on a family budget that will be...a tad more stringent. (I'm also losing the freedom to cover half the bed with my laundry and other things I haven't felt like putting away for days on end. Just a thought.)

Something I will gain: The opportunity to go to bed at a normal hour--even an early hour, on occasion. This period of dating/engagement has been one continuous story of sleep deprivation because if I go to bed, Skyler will go home. And I love Skyler and don't WANT him to go home! So I stay up and just feel tired a lot. When we're married, I can just suggest we BOTH go to bed when it gets late. Hallelujah. (I'm also gaining an eternal best friend which means I'll always have somebody to hold my hand during awkward social situations. Just, you know, another thought.)

8 Days

Three Things I Learned From Dating

1. Women are complex creatures and men will probably never fully understand us. However, there are a few simple things men often overlook that would make things go much easier for them. Namely--we're not THAT hard to win over. Spend a little quality time with us and give us something we love (i.e. Food (that was mine...), Flowers, etc.). If we're fairly compatible in other ways, that's probably all its going to take for us to give things a go for more than one date.
   
   
2. Honest communication is the most important thing in a relationship. Nobody--not men, not women--like to play games. Usually we "play games" because we're uncomfortable and we think the other person is doing the same thing. Do yourself--and the rest of the world!--a favor and just be yourself. In addition, you should feel confident in bringing up any topic/feeling you wish with your significant other. If you can't tell them what you are really thinking or even what's bothering you, this is probably not the right relationship for you. (This bit o' advice was shared by Mr. Ben C. and it made a big difference to me)
   
   
3. The worst first dates are usually ones that drag on and on and on--well past the "expiration date" of the evening, if you will. More men would find success in the dating scene if they would keep that first date short--grab a smoothie at Jamba or have dinner at Smashburger and then TAKE HER HOME. Really. If you have a nice time, ask her out again rather than trying to fit 2-3 dates into one evening. (Seriously. Ask her out again. Even right on the doorstep. I'm just sayin', it worked for Skyler...)
   

9 Days

We're in the single digits now!

Movie that Describes Your Love Story

After pondering this one for quite a while, I have to conclude there isn't a great movie that really captures our particular love story. Well, there might be but I can't think of a film that follows two people who are friends. And then go out on a few dates and eventually start dating exclusively. And finally decide to get married after dating for several months. I'm pretty sure any screenwriter would say the story needs more DRAMA or CONFLICT. Sky and I haven't really had anything major get in the way of our relationship so...yeah. We're our own movie! Something of a heartwarming family tale, I'd say.

I still want to answer the question appropriately so here's one film I can {barely} relate our story to:

I know. I KNOW! A disaster film? Really?! But go with me on this. In the film, Jake Gyllenhaal joins the Academic quiz bowl team because he likes Emmy Rossum, and then he's rather less-than-forthcoming with his feelings for most of the film. But eventually it works out. So they're both kind of academically-minded (i.e. NERDY) peeps--"just friends"--and they find that when given the chance to try it out, they like each other! And really, that is...a sort of, somewhat, barely related but there you go, close but not nearby, description of Skyler and me.

Plus Skyler was once chased by wolves while trying to save my life. FACT.

Image from here

10 Days

Firsts

• First Meeting: I first met Skyler on May 9, 2010. Yes, I know the exact date. Because we met on Mother's Day in the Heritage Ward. I had come a bit earlier than usual to make sure I could find the right meeting place, and he was the Executive Secretary who needed people to say the opening/closing prayers. So...we chatted and I agreed to say one of the prayers for the meeting. Did I know then? No. Sorry. That would be awesome, but no.
  
  
• First Date: Our first date was November 18th, 2010. Yes, I know the exact date. (Because I use a planner AND because I found out I passed National Boards the very next day!) Skyler invited me to the Trans Siberian Orchestra Concert at the Energy Solutions Arena. The band was doing two shows that day and we went to the earlier one. So I had to take Trax down from a class at the U (and I had to ride amidst an entire high school cheerleading squad. UGH!) and met him there. We didn't get to talk much--loud rock concert, remember?--but it was still really fun and I had a nice time.
  
  
• First Kiss: Our first kiss was on Valentine's Day, 2011. Sky totally spoiled me the ENTIRE day with a variety of treats and surprises, and our first kiss was just one more delightful memory to add to everything else.

Image from here

11 Days

Hardest Part of Planning a Wedding

The hardest part of planning my wedding--as my poor parents can attest--has been making any sort of firm decision. I decided on the wedding colors...and then changed them the day we met with the decorator. I decided on the three layers of the cake...and then let Cindy know a couple weeks later that I wanted to switch things up. I decided what time to get married...and then hemmed and hawed about it for another week. And sometimes I just don't care enough to make any decision, but people keep trying to make me happy so things hang up in the air longer than needed again. *sigh*

Still, decisions ARE getting made and the wedding will be splendid :)

Image from here

12 Days

There are 12 more days until wedding day. To help me keep on keepin' on through the stress and excitement, Catie helped me put together a 12 Day Blog Countdown to The Big Day.

Five Things I Learned Being Single

1. There's something to laugh about in almost any situation. Be it a terrible line up or a month of financial irresponsibility, there will be reason to laugh. And laughing is a much better choice than whining, moping or complaining.
   
   
2. Putting the Lord first is the only way to live your life. Doing it on your own is just...c'est pas bien. When you put the Lord first, you can be confident that things will work out for the best--even if the way they work out is not what YOU would have thought best. He knows better than you what you need.
   
   
3. I am a fairly independent woman! I can survive and could have an awesome life without a man by my side. (Let it be noted, I find life WITH a man a wicked new version of AWESOME. But I did come to learn and understand I could do it alone.)
   
   
4. Men like to know you're interested, but they don't like to be pursued. So all of the "treat tramp"-ing, multiple date initiating, and strategic Sacrament Meeting sitting...may very well be hurting your chances rather than helping. Much better off to regularly be friendly and outgoing in their direction, and to OCCASIONALLY make an extra effort. Guys aren't stupid--despite a somewhat popularly-held belief amongst the womenfolk. They'll respond if they're interested too. (I guess I just wish I'd learned this EARLIER in my single years...)
   
   
5. Life is what you make of it, so make it good! No use sitting around waiting for life to show up. Go out and DO something with it! I'm so glad I tried my hand at new things (quilting, sewing, cookie experimentation, traveling, running, etc.) while single. I definitely feel like a more well-rounded person because of it. And life while single was pretty darn amazing--not gonna lie.