I have some very exciting news to share and I thought this would be a fun way to announce it. All of you have stuck with me through the very worst dates I've experienced, so I feel like I should tie up the saga with a happy one. That is also true.
This is a long story. If you don't care about the story, just scroll through to the pictures.
ONCE upon a time, I was sitting in Institute (a Wednesday night bible study class), and I was scoping out the room for hot guys. Because why else do people go to Institute? Kidding.
There were about 60 people in the room, and one particularly tall, dark, handsome man in a green sweater caught my attention. I thought to myself, "He is the only guy in here I would go out with." So, in true girl fashion, I decided I would try to make eye contact with him, and if he didn't look at me and immediately rush over and ask me out, I would conclude that he was not interested. And he did not.
Anyway, six months later, I was called to be an Institute Class President, which is pretty much a fancy way of saying Glorified Person Who Sets Up Chairs Before Class. At this time, the mysterious handsome stranger was the teacher of said class (which just happened to be Christlike Relationships.) We exchanged a few pleasantries, but never really talked.
(I later found out that this was because "his slots were all full," as he so nicely puts it. In other words, he was already dating someone. Or several someones.)
But then! He told me I looked nice one day. I said thank you. Then he corrected himself and said that I looked nice every day. Something had changed.. Apparently a slot had opened up.
(He also had been reading this blog!)
Finally, one evening after Institute, he came up to me and we started chatting. He said that we should hang out sometime and asked for my number. As you all know, this time of my life I was a little teensy bit cynical about dating and was all prepped and ready to call him "Institute Guy" or whatever other nickname he earned. In reality, he has earned the nickname of Mr. Darcy for all of the obvious reasons.
Our first date on January 30th, 2016 was a short little hot chocolate date at Guru's. We chatted for about an hour and a half, and I told my roommates that night that I was "not NOT interested." (Read: thinking about being interested) My roommates were very impressed. This was an uncommon reaction! He was very gentlemanly, had intelligent conversation, and was very handsome.
Several dates (not days) later, we watched a movie at his place and he kissed me at my doorstep :). By this time, I was very intrigued with the funny, mysterious man that seemed to always keep his cool.
Throughout our early courtship, Ryan was a PRO at all things dating. I wouldn't call it "playing games" but he definitely didn't lay his cards out there either. He would give me just enough to keep me on the hook.. We would have a great date, he'd text me a few times, and then go silent for 2-3 days. The very MINUTE I would dramatically despair to my roommates that he wasn't interested, he would text me. Then I would laugh hysterically and say everything was fine. **face palm** This happened more than once.
On Valentine's Day, he showed up at my apartment with a rose and box of chocolates. My dear, sweet roommate, Sherlynn, burst into tears she was so touched that Ryan had so far been kind and sweet to me.
We continued to date for a few months and on April 15th, he FINALLY asked me to be his girlfriend. (You'll notice that the word "finally" shows a few times in this story. Patience is a constant battle for me.)
I had been trying to keep an open mind in case he decided to reject me. I was forcing myself to still go on other dates and trying not to be one-track minded, even though he had pretty much won me over completely..
The night Ryan asked me to be his girlfriend also happened to be the day that I had agreed to fly to Colorado for a date with an old friend. Whoops. He's never let me live that one down.
After a few months more, Ryan took me to meet his parents (who are pretty much the loveliest people I've ever met) and to California on his family vacation. I completely fell in love with his family and even more in love with him.
Thanksgiving we spent with his family in Idaho; Christmas we flew to Arkansas and spent with mine.
On Christmas morning, we exchanged letters. In his, he told me that I would need my gift to "fit in" where we were going in the next few weeks.. I opened the bag and there were Minnie Mouse ears in it!!! WE WERE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!
A few weeks later, Ryan and I walked into the gates of Disneyland and IMMEDIATELY, Cinderella walked by!! We continued up to the castle, and while we were taking pictures by the castle, he stepped away from me and..
He got down on one knee and proposed! :D We then went to Disneyland's City Hall, got some "Happily Ever After" buttons - and 3 complimentary fast passes #perks- , and continued the most magical day of my life. The weather was perfect, we went on all the rides we wanted, the food was wonderful, and my ring was super sparkly! Look!
In conclusion, Ryan is the very best person I have ever known in every category. There is no one I have met with such kindness, humor, work ethic, balance, faith, patience, love, and every other good thing. He treats me better than I ever could have imagined, and he's just awesome. I am so excited and blessed to get to marry him.
All of the bad dates were worth it.
Yay!
