Saturday, December 13, 2008

Here's the Story





So here's the story that I know that you all have been waiting for... The story of Sean and I.
Well it all started in a student ward in Sugar House on a December afternoon. I was walking into church when out of the corner of my eye a guy caught my attention. I to this day don't know why he gave me this feeling but I remember feeling shocked to see him there and thinking "What is he doing here?" I was totally confused at my own thought and dismissed it, because I had never met the guy before and why should I be shocked to see him there. Well Months passed and I dated other guys, but still this guy kept popping up. One day my roommate and I were looking through the Ward menu and we were making a list of guys to "order" (something that I always made fun of, but when I did it I found it strangely gratifying to make a list of guys to flirt with. It was especially effective after, and some times before, a break up), and I saw this guy in there and found out his name was Sean. Well, he went on the list, but after a few attempts to get his attention without success he went off the list.

Then one night in April, there was a ward snowboarding night. Well, I went up and of course loved the entire night and there was this guy there that I didn't recognize. He rode pretty well and was really cute, but he didn't talk much. So the group of us kept riding 'till the end of the night and we all met at the bottom for hot chocolate. I was just talking with some others when a mutual friend of ours, Danny, called out Seans name to him. I thought "That's Sean?" I didn't even recognize him, but as soon as Danny called out to him, I could see it. Before I had time to process it, Sean was walking back to his car. I realized that finding an attractive mature financially stable (I knew that he was really good with and worked with money by what friends had told me) LDS snowboarder was hard to come by and I'd have to give this guy another try. So I indiscreetly caught up to him and acted like I just happened to be going to my car as well. So I struck up a conversation and he didn't act like he just wanted to get to his car with out being bothered, a good sign. So we talked for a bit about his work and my going to school, then went our separate ways. Well, two weeks later we were both in Sunday school and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Sean was sitting in the back. So I decided to give him a little "confidence" and practiced the art of "making eyes" at him (thank you Stacy Lightfoot). Next thing I knew I was walking with him to Sacrament meeting and he was asking me out for that Friday where we would celebrate my being done with finals, and he was nervous asking me out (a very good sign). So I said yes and we went out that weekend and every weekend after that. Just so you know, "making eyes at him wasn't what got him to ask me out, in a much later conversation I found out that he was already going to ask me out and didn't even remember me looking back at him.
Well, Sean was well aware of his feelings for me before I was aware of my feelings for him. And luckily the Lord blessed him with patience because for I made him wait a couple of months before deciding to be exclusive with him. He was also the first to say "I love you." I remember when I finally said it back being first of all shocked that I said it, wondered if I meant it, then realized I did. If we ever get to watch the film of our lives and you see me on that night you'll see me saying I love you back to Sean and giving him a hug while my face is contorted with confusion at what just happened slowly turning to a smile of realization. I love my life, it makes me laugh. Our relationship took me through some crazy times, not the least of which was the death of my Mother in which he was so incredibly supportive, loving, and patient. It was probably the thing that made me realize how much I loved him. To be honest, Sean is proof to me that my Heavenly Father loves me because he sent me a beacon of light in the darkest time of my life without which I would be in a devastatingly bleak place and would struggle to get out of. In the midst of such times, we had a great many good times. We both discovered how much we both liked the out doors and went on many hikes getting to know the canyons in the Salt Lake Valley. We also went to many movies, great restaurants, and sometimes just chilled and enjoyed each others company. We also were able to take a little trip to Las Vegas where we went to see the CircDeSole called "Love" which was a medley of Beatles songs and was so much fun to go to.
Well we kept dating when in the fall we realized that this relationship was going somewhere. Sean came over on day with this book "1001 questions couples should ask before they get married" under the pretense that he knew that I loved getting to know others intimately, but he really didn't know how to do that. So one night I was at his place and the book was on the table and there was a printed out folded piece of paper in the back of the book. I opened it up and there were a bunch of pictures of diamond rings, me being the kind of person who takes great delight in teasing others, held the paper up and asked him straight out "What is this?" It was then that we realized that we should start thinking and praying about this, but I told him straight out that I wouldn't marry him until we had been dating for a year. Luckily he loves me enough to wait that long.


Then on a anything but extraordinary Saturday night he came over to get me to go out. Starting out the date with "what do you want to do?" I suggested that we go to the Indian place that we both like and then go see the new James Bond movie. So we did, and I didn't think too much of it, it was a typical Saturday night. After the movie which ended about ninish, I asked him what he wanted to do now. He had no suggestions so I said let's go play a game at his place. So we started driving that direction, enjoying a good conversation, about what I can't remember. As we were driving along he passed his place. I figured that he just forgot and we were heading to my place, he'll figure it out. Then we passed my place and I thought, well he's on autopilot to his mom's. Then we passed her place and I really didn't know where we were going, as we started up Emigration canyon. We got up to the top and he was searching for a look out that we didn't find. So instead we got out and sat on the trunk of the car and looked up at the stars naming what constellations we knew. Then we talked a little more and after a bit of peaceful silence he turned to me, pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him, to which I responded "Right now, you're asking me right now, right now?"But eventually when I got over my shock I said yes.
I truly am excited and so thrilled to have found the one that I will spend the rest of eternity with. I love Sean so much! I must admit, this love isn't what I expected it to be, I didn't expect it to bring such peace and calm to my heart. We are getting married on May 15th and I can hardly wait!

6 comments:

Carolanne said...

Yea! I'm so happy you are getting married and so happy you are posting again!!! Sean seems like a great guy. I could tell after hearing you talk about him that you two were going somewhere, but I didn't want to bug you about it, 'cuz I know how cautious you are. Anyway, congrats, and let me know what I can do to help! Are you still doing a tikki party reception???

Crystal said...

HOLY COW AN UPDATE! and the best kind too. Wow, I am so happy for you guys! Call me soon and we can talk pictures. And is that really your ring? It says "Ann Marie" to me, very unique!

Ann Marie said...

I know, I've finally had something in my life to comment on! Unfortunately no tikki party, but there will be a lot of twinkle lights. We're having the reception at the garden park ward house and they have a nice list of do not's. And that really is my ring. I told Sean a long time ago that I wasn't a fan of diamonds and wanted something else.

Carma said...

CONGRATS!! That's so exciting!

Chantele Sedgwick said...

That is a beautiful story Ann Marie. I am so excited for you! He sounds like a great guy! You two are so cute together! It's crazy how things happen huh? You are at the right place at the right time, and BOOM! I love your story. Glad you are blogging again!:)

Tia said...

Congratulations! You look more than happy. He sounds like a great guy and you deserve it. There is no other better feeling than knowing you've found the right person to be with forever! Let me know if I can help!