[O U R] Story

Let's see... Well it all began freshman year of high school. Those awkward transition days. But, I remember when I first saw him. It was 8th grade practice night for band (we both play trumpet) at the high school and I thought he looked kinda mad or something, his hair was long (not super long, but longer than the mission cut, haha), but I thought he was kinda cute too :). But the idea of us dating wasn't even in my head (I was only 13 haha). Before we knew it we were

BEST FRIENDS! 

We spent a lot of time together, I remember I could tell him anything, and he would give the best advice :).

We were always together. There were some points through out high school that he would tell me that he liked me, but we were friends, I didn't want to ruin that. I also didn't want to date during high school. I'm not going to lie, but I'm kind of a nerd, and all I was really wanting was to focus on school and applying for college, and someday getting into Brigham Young University-Hawaii. He always supported that and would try to move on and date other girls. So, like any good best friend would do, I'd help him out and give him advice about girls, but his relationships always ended. Then when high school was coming to an end, things started to change...

After we graduated, all of our friends started to go their separate ways. But James and I hung out even MORE and then I started to like him. But... I was about to leave for BYU in Hawaii in a couple months. Then on June 6, 2011, he asked to be my boyfriend. I was freaking out (I had never had a boyfriend before), but then my mind stopped thinking and my voice just said "yes." It was wonderful being with him, until I had to go to Hawaii...

The original plan was to break up and when I came back for Christmas break, we would see where things were. But I didn't want to break up with him. So I didn't :). But later on, the subject of marriage had come up and I told that I wanted/needed to marry someone who was a member of my church and who could take me to the temple. I felt so heart broken to say that to him. We still didn't break up, but the subject of marriage never really came up again, then a little later, he started taking the lessons from the missionaries and I remember the day he called me and told me he read the Book of Mormon and knew that it was true and that he wanted to get baptized. I cried. It was so amazing! So I came home to see James get baptized and to stay. He was baptized December 24, 2011.

He became so involved in the church. Getting the Aaronic priesthood, blessing the sacrament, receiving the melchizedek priesthood, and carrying out a calling. And he also helped his parents join the church and baptized them. And above all that, he chose to serve a full time mission after only being a member for a little over a year. He's amazing! I couldn't ask for a better guy in my life :)!

He was called to the Utah Ogden Mission!!

We said our goodbyes and 5 months later, I left for my mission!!!

I was called to the Idaho Pocatello Mission!!

We served our missions honorably while writing diligently to each other every week. We shared experiences and offered advice in hastening the work. It was an incredible time!! Our knowledge of the gospel increased, our love for God and His son, Jesus Christ was magnified, and we grew closer to each other because of that. Even though we were many miles a part.

 

Then we returned home and got engaged!! 

YAY!!!

And now we're married :)

I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for us :).