1/23/08

Cheesiness & gushing

So my friend Kelly asked me what the story is with me & Jared & why I love him. (Gulp.) So here I go, open to the world...(for those of you who know the story, feel free to skip. This is for my few friends out there who haven't seen me in eons)

I noticed Jared when he came home from his mission & came to the singles ward. (I don't think there was a girl who DIDN'T notice him. He's pretty darn cute.) But, since I'm a few years older than he is & tend to be pretty stand-offish at first when I meet guys (takes me awhile to warm up/get courage to ask them out), I didn't make a move on him. Before I knew it, Jared had a girlfriend. I got to know him sort of as a nice, quiet, spiritual guy that came to choir. That really was about it.

I left the singles ward in December of '06 to attend the Richmond Branch, a downtown branch with a lot of needs. I felt needed in church for the first time in a LONG time, and I loved it. Still do. I was participating in the Richmond Mormon Chorale, an area/multi-stake LDS choir, and Jared and his mom showed up one season. He was very quiet and reserved, but something kept telling me to befriend him. (Now, for those of you who know me well, I don't get impressions often.) I kind of ignored it at first, but I kept feeling like he would be a good person to get to know. A few weeks later, Jared's mom came up to me and asked me to invite her son to some singles activities or parties going on, since he had just come out of a difficult breakup (as it turns out, with one of my former roommates - ha!).

I asked Jared out and we went on our first date in early spring of last year. I had a nice time with him and was honestly surprised he talked as much as he did, because he was always so quiet when I had tried to talk to him before. And so began a year of occasional hanging out/dates. I wasn't always sure I liked him from a relationship standpoint, but I sure started to love him as a friend. He is one of the most genuinely kind people you'll ever meet. Before I knew it, it was Thanksgiving and on to Christmas and I realized I was falling in love with him. I tried to be patient, but Jared had his own timing.

Around Christmas, Jared and I had a frank talk and he eventually came to the decision that he not only wanted to date me, but he was in love with me! This was pretty happy news for me, as I felt like I'd been waiting forever (when in reality, I had only realized I loved him a few weeks before). What surprised me the most was that he would propose so fast, which was a bit unnerving at first, but I feel totally calm and excited about it now. I can't wait to be his wife.

Long enough for you? :)

What I love about Jared:

-He not only says he tries to think well of ALL people, he really does it. Even to those people who have used and abused him. He is an example of forgiveness. I could learn a lot from him.
-He is talented. Have you ever heard this guy play the guitar?! He is awesome. I can't believe he taught himself & learned songs by listening to the radio. That is more patience than I have.
-He is kind. He loves meeting people & getting to know them better (albeit one on one usually).
-He is service-oriented. He is always looking for ways to be useful & helpful. And he's cheerful when serving.
-He's handsome. I mean, come on. Look at his picture...
-He has a strong testimony & understanding of the Gospel. He respects his priesthood & puts God first, which I love.
- He's musical. I know this isn't a requirement for marriage, but it's fabulous to have around! I love his voice. I have a weak spot for tenors.
- He is smart. He studies really hard & is interested in things I find fascinating. Plus, he doesn't make me feel stupid when he explains things.

I'm sure there are other things I could come up with, but this should suffice for now.
(Kelly, are you happy with my explanation? Thanks for the recommendation on the article by Elder Holland...I loved it.)

A pic of the two of us on the night we got engaged. (And I should mention this is probably one of the very least favorite pics of myself, but oh well.) I'd also like you to know that I was wearing my new favorite shirt, which reads, "Don't make me release the flying monkeys." Hilarious!

7 comments:

ginnieshorter said...

For tenderly vomiting!!

Kelly M said...

Thanks Katie! I love the cheesey gushing. :) And it's nice to know a little more about the man you're marrying- definitely sounds like a keeper, you deserve him!

Melody said...

Cutie head! I loved reading it, even though I already knew the story and even though it made me cry. You are adorable, and I'm so psyched that Jared found somebody as awesome as you. Thanks for sharing your insides. It rocked. Plus, that list is sooo something I would've done (complete with bullets and bold run-in headings), and that made me laugh. ;)

shortino said...

did i just read that or rub it on my face?!

The Sorensen Bunch said...

Its sounds like the real deal!! i am so happy for you!!!He and you are keepers! What will your new last name be? YEAH!!!

Erin said...

Katie!
Congratulations! It's Erin Harvey (Axelson)from BYU! Alicia sent me the link to your blog and I'm sooo glad you wrote that last post, so I know the story now! I'm so excited for you! Come visit my blog to catch up!
axelsonadventures.blogspot.com

Leslie said...

I am so glad to have read that story....I had wondered how it all came to be. So happy for you, and I hope that you and Jared will be blissfully complete together. Congrats!