This is just what I did and continue to do and will do forever more. Many of you are probably wondering What? When? How?! I know, I know, I haven't said much because it has been such a special and amazing journey for me.
I met Zach a couple of years ago and the story goes that we were supposed to go on a date and things being as they were it never happened for one reason or another ;) Well, I forgot about him and life moved on. He moved to Florida for a while after that as well.
Back in October I got a text message asking about the YSA Halloween dance and other activities. Not having his new number in my phone I was a little unnerved because I didn't know who it was. When I asked who it was all it said was, "I'm tall, dark, and handsome!" A few texts later after stating that it was actually up to me to decide if he was tall, dark and handsome I found out it was Zach! I still smile and laugh about that. As time went on we would see each other at various places around town and didn't think much about it. He would text me on FB in the middle of the night and then early in the morning I would respond. Usually it went something like this.... "TRISH!!!!!!!"....... "ZACH!!!!!!!!!" and that was it. With our schedules begin what they were we just never caught each other online. Then one night, mom and I were at the store and saw Zach. She ditched me and I stopped and chatted with him for a while. When we left the store she looked at me and said, "He's handsome!". I completely agreed. Later that night I texted him and said mom thought he was handsome. His quick, witty response was something along the lines of having moms approval now he just needs mine got a smile and chuckle from me. I responded that he already had my approval! We texted back and forth for a few days before he asked me out on our first date.
On Wednesday, December 28th we went on our first date and saw Sherlock Holmes together. After we went to dinner and then sat in the theatre parking lot for a couple of hours and just talked. It was perfect. A couple of nights later he talked me into driving into Anchorage and meeting him at his brothers wedding reception. It was cool seeing him with his family around. One of my favorite memories from the beginning was New Years Eve. I had a few boxes of various fireworks and at midnight we went out to a field by my house in the -20 degree cold and shot them off. I love fireworks and so I was already just happy to have them going off. I remember for one of the bigger one we set off he came up behind me and put his arms around me to help keep my warm. It was one of the best feelings ever. Later that night, well after midnight we had our first kiss. Talk about butterflies in ones stomach that still are there!
From that day since we have been together almost everyday for a little bit. It's been hard at times with me working days and him working nights but we tried really hard to talk for a while late at night before he left so I could go to sleep.
We started reading for Institute together and praying together before he would leave every night. Once these were happening the love I have for this man intensified. I spent many hours pondering my thoughts and feelings about him, only to have a strong confirmation about the love I had for him.
With Zach's work schedule being what it was he had Tuesdays and Wednesday's off. Last week sometime he told me that we were going into Anchorage either Tuesday or Wednesday, he wasn't sure yet. ;) Either Sunday or Monday Jenn called me and asked me if I could watch her kids for a couple of hours on Wednesday while she was at work. I told her she had to take it up with Zach because those are his days off and I knew he had plans for one of the nights. Tuesday while I was at work we talked and I found out we had to leave about 5:45 that night for dinner in Anchorage. I hurried home from work instead of doing some of the things I normally did. I met him at my house and we drove into Anchorage for an amazing dinner at Orso's. By the way, their triple berry custard dessert is amazing! During dinner we talked and laughed and the thoughts of he could propose popped in my head but I tried not think about it and just enjoyed the evening. After dinner we went back to my house and watched some tv for a while before he left. Or more like he watched while I cuddled up and fell asleep since I was exhausted from a long day back at work.
Wednesday morning, I got a call from my best friend Jenn who asked me what happened because she knew we were going to eat that night. I told we had a delicious dinner and then came home. Nothing happened. She was asking me tons of questions like "Aren't' you disappointed?" and "Aren't you mad?" Truth was, I wasn't. I was a little perplexed as I told her as to why we went and had this amazingly delicious dinner and then came home. I told her he likes yummy food and must have just wanted to treat me. She proceeds to tell me that she is mad for both of us that he hasn't asked me to marry him yet and I just laughed. After a few minutes of her questions and my responses and laughter I tell her I have to go since I had just gotten to work.
Around 10am, I realized I hadn't heard from Zach yet which was unusual because he usually sends me a good morning text around 9ish and it was already 10ish. Around 10:30 I see him outside my door. I keep teaching, which is really reading the story "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" with my kids. He comes in and I smile but keep on teaching. He hands one of my students his phone, walks over to me, and takes the book out of my hands and puts it down. He pulls me towards him, talked to me a little bit, then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him! Besides the nervousness (yes I was actually nervous!) and excitement I was so happy!
In case you're wondering, I SAID YES!!!
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| Right after! Picture taken by one of my 6 year friends! |
March 21, 2012 <3
Isn't it beautiful! And it fit perfectly!
