This was shaping up to be one of those taboo We’re engaged after two days BYU romances. I had mocked those wacko people for years, but here we were with a story that wasn’t much different. After all, we had just met less than two months ago and only officially dated a total of two weeks. Even more ridiculous—we hadn’t even kissed yet! I had been dreaming of a picturesque first kiss like my best friend had atop the Eiffel Tower (in Las Vegas). We had no time for such luxuries. Our first was behind his apartment building next to a dumpster. So much for the scenery. But in my book, the qualifications for good kisses are passion and intensity. Neither was lacking.
As of week three, we were informally engaged. It seemed foolish to most. For us, all we knew was that we knew.
We still had all the formalities to take care of—meet the parents (his didn’t count because I knew his parents much longer than him), ask permission, get a ring, propose on bended knee, and dance in a field. We never did find that field, but a starry night on a bridge did the trick. And this time the shoes fit, perfectly.
Most importantly, we needed to plan a wedding. Jeff’s parents were still serving in Spain as mission presidents, so why not be adventurous and fly to Madrid for our temple wedding? It had the makings of an ideal wedding written all over it. I was ecstatic. Until the news rolled in that it was not permissible. Due to a particularly famous Mormon getting married in Hawaii, there had been an onslaught of seemingly destination temple weddings. We just happened on the scene at the wrong time. Thanks a lot, Steve Young!
A few tears were shed and a blender of orange juice spilt, but we knew it would all work out. Just one small problem though, we had already purchased tickets to Spain.
So what do you do?
You follow your mission president’s errr…father-in-law’s counsel and come to Spain married rather than engaged.
That was the best advice we ever took.
It was a sunny morning in Salt Lake City—wind gently bending the tulips on the ground. My heart pounded as he took my hands in his. I knew this was the ‘bit of heaven’ I had been waiting for all my life. He smiled. I smiled. His lips touched mine. And that’s when the real love story began.
April 29, 2000. Nine years ago today.
With all my heart, Jeff, I love you.
16 Comments
how cute is this love story. your children will cherish it forever. Thanks for sharing:)
awwww!!!!! how sweet!
our 10th Anniversary is tomorrow! april 30th!
we have such a similar story…engaged early on though we waited 1 year and 10 months before we married!!!
congratulations and happy anniversary! you are a gorgeous couple!
tara
Ahhhh! Fabulous love story! I particularly loved the video. Very cute! Looks like you DID find that field after all…in Spain as newlyweds! Congrats on 9 years!
Wow! Thank you for sharing that! IT was wonderful! Congrats on your anniversary!
ahhh…what a nice story! the video is wonderful! happy anniversary!
fantabulously AMAZING!! . . .the story . . .the telling of the story . . . .and the couple involved in the story!!!
And, OK– YES!! I cried!!
…cute video. almost cried but had my makeup on:)
happy anniversary! love you guys more than you know 🙂
Kate and I loved it…yes, I did cry. Love you both so much. Happy Anniversary…here’s to another wonderful year!
Beautiful story, beautifully written. You two are an amazing couple- I remember watching you dance at a ward party with love and energy that was so visible to all of those around you. Happy anniversary!
Cherie, You are such an incredible person, wife, mother, and friend…Don’t forget story teller:) Happy Anniversary I love you guys!
I enjoyed reading your story. Thanks for sharing.
I had to (finally) de-lurk to tell you how much I enjoyed your story! You have such a gift with words–and photographs!
Incredible “beginning” of your story, and the video was PERFECT.
BTW, on a happy note, I gave birth to my first daughter (after 2 boys) on your anniversary, so it IS a special day all around! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!! Beautiful story for a beautiful couple!!!
You two are beautiful. I think you will grow up to be just like Hna and Presidente Mask.