A Dozen

Jon & I have been married for twelve years. Perhaps what many people don't know is that it didn't take long after we met before we were married.

We met at a dance called the Snowflake Ball on campus in January 1997. We weren't officially introduced by a mutual friend (who happened to be Jon's new roommate), but we were each informed about each other from the same source. Jon found me and introduced himself. We danced off and on that night and spent time at the end talking and flirting.

Soon after our meeting, Jon left school on a performance tour. I finished out the blind dates that friends and family had set up for me, but I kept thinking about Jon. I was certain he would call, so why hadn't he. I bumped into his roommate when I was supposed to be studying and found out that he was still out of town. I was happy when he called me within a couple hours of his return.

Our first date was on my 24th birthday (February 5th). That didn't happen by chance. It was one of those tidbits of information relayed by our friend. I didn't mean for our first date to be on my birthday (though Jon did). I kept trying to sway him for a different day. My schedule was LONG and full on Wednesdays. I had morning classes, work, and an evening class.

Our first date was actually a lunch date (I think Jon wanted a short date and it happened to be the only free hour I had that day). I arrived late or I arrived promptly at the wrong museum on campus. I had to stomp through the snow to make my way to the Museum Cafe where my curly blond locks ended up wet and straggly.

I liked Jon. He reminded me of some of my really close guy friends. I didn't really realize I was falling in love with him until several weeks later. It just happened that we were bumping into each other every day or making plans to meet. Not a bunch of official dates, but bringing over a bell pepper to top off a recipe. I thought Jon was going to "break up" with me or ask that we didn't see each other so often when he wanted to talk with me about how much time we had been spending together.

In March we started holding hands. We went on more official dates at the Fine Art Center on campus. Jon came home with me for Sunday dinner and met my family. We had our first kiss and talked about the other girl that had been crushing on him. We started seeing each other exclusively.

In April, just days before my graduation. We decided to get married. Nobody gave us a rule book about how to get engaged, so we just decided without an official proposal. We didn't get a billboard and announce it to the world. We took a couple days to let it all sink in - except for that we both called our moms and told them. Then we did start telling people that we were getting married and people would ask "how did he propose?" or "let me see the ring." The trouble was that we decided to get married just days before Jon was leaving the country for a performing tour. I must say that it was quite unsettling to be planning a wedding without a proposal, engagement ring, or groom.

We spent $100 talking long distance for only about 12 minutes while he was in the Baltic States. We decided on a wedding date and location over the phone. His voice didn't sound right - more like he was echoing through a long tube.

It was May when he officially proposed. (ie. dropped off clues all day at my work, sent me on a scavenger hunt, got down on one knee, said "will you marry me," placed a diamond on my finger, gave me a dozen roses, and read a beautiful poem that he had written for me).

In June we had our photos taken and sent out announcements. We finalized flowers, reception center settings, dress alterations, etc.

Then on a Tuesday morning we each rode with our parents to meet at the Jordan River Temple to be married. Young, naive, committed, and in love. What a beautiful way to start a life together.

Happy Anniversary Sweetie! I'm glad you're mine.