A Quick (Or Not So Quick) Introduction

Well, I know that many people have requested an update on the status of my love life. I'm sorry that I haven't been better at that so this is my attempt to do so...

Matt and Me at My Apartment in Rexburg

Who is this mystery man, you may ask? This would be Matt. Matt is the man that I am going to marry and the man who I am incredibly in love with. One of the first things anyone ever inquires after they have heard about him is how we met. Well, we met online, actually. Those of you who know me are aware that I am typically a very conventional person who stays in her comfort zone. Well, after the frustration with dating for most of the fall 2010 semester, as well as the strenuous school schedule and calling as the Relief Society president, I decided that I would join an online LDS dating service on a whim. What once felt or seemed like a whim, I am now convinced was nothing of the sort. The very day that I signed up, I found Matt's profile. I sent a quick message saying that he seemed like a great guy and I would love to get to know him better. I didn't feel like there was anything to lose if he wasn't interested, but little did I realize just how much I had to gain from that simple attempt at making a connection. A day or two later, I heard back from Matt. Thus began the novel-length emails to each other. Getting an email from him became the highlight of my day and I couldn't believe how easy I found it to converse with him via email. It was as if we never ran out of things to write about. Not much has changed in that aspect as our relationship has flourished and developed.

A couple weeks after we had been emailing we had our first phone conversation. I was full of nervous excitement and even Googled conversation starters/topics in case the conversation lagged or grew dull. Apparently that was a huge waste-o-my-time because not once did I feel it necessary to refer to any of those websites during the actual conversation. We talked for nearly two hours during that first conversation and I couldn't believe how quickly time flew and how much I looked forward to hearing from him again. I heard from him the next day (he actually didn't call which I later learned was because he didn't want to seem too "eager" or "desperate") and not once since then has there been a day that we haven't talked at least once on the phone or through video chat in addition to texts and emails. After that initial phone call, we started making plans to see each other. It was such a relief to feel like I could be honest and frank and know that he wasn't playing games. The fact that neither of us are game players has been a definite blessing in our relationship. Shortly after we started talking on the phone and through video chat, he asked where I would be doing my internship this upcoming summer. I told him that I wasn't sure yet and hadn't really started looking yet, I asked him if there was a particular reason that he asked. He told me that he thought that the D.C. area would be a very good place, in his opinion, to do an internship... mostly due to the fact that he would be there (he is from Vienna, Virginia, a city that's about 20 minutes outside of D.C.). I told him that I would definitely start looking for an internship there.

Although our relationship progressed quite rapidly, it did not feel rushed. Since so much of our relationship was based on communicating and getting to know each other, it felt like we had laid a really steady foundation and that everything else that occurred just added to it and made it that much better.

Our first meeting occurred on December 3, 2010. I was going down to Utah for Tiffany Cook-Durant's open house and decided that it would be a great opportunity to meet him as well. Needless to say, we were both excited. Adriane came down to Utah with me and dropped me off at his place on that Friday. Our plans were to go and see a Carl Bloch art exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art, then go to Salt Lake City to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square, then we would get some dinner. On the way to his place, I was filled with nervous excitement, I'm pretty sure that I even screeched/squealed a little because of it. I don't think I'll ever forget driving up to see him waiting outside on the sidewalk for me. It was really like seeing an old friend, only so much better. We hugged and then I introduced him to Adriane (she was the first of my friends to meet him in person) after which she left and we went inside.

He was so sweet, complimentary, gentlemanly, not to mention very handsome. We got to the exhibit a little early and so we sat on a bench talking before we went in. He told me that I was even more beautiful in real life than I was in pictures or via video chat. He also said "are you sure you have to go back to Rexburg?" Originally, I planned to leave for Rexburg super early on Sunday morning, that didn't actually end up happening, I stayed through Sunday so we could go to church and watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional together. When we entered the exhibit, we sat down to watch a short film on the artist. We sat on a bench and he leaned over and whispered into my ear, asking if he could hold my hand. I told him OF COURSE he could, which he did, and I instantly knew that any concern that may have been there about physical chemistry was unnecessary. We walked around holding hands, discussing pieces that we liked, and just getting to know each other.

We then drove to Salt Lake to see Temple Square. I had never been at Christmas time to see the lights and he hadn't seen them in years so it seemed like the perfect activity (and photo-op). It took forever to find parking but I didn't mind because it was great to just finally be together. We walked around until we were freezing and then went back to the car to search for somewhere to eat.

In Front of the Salt Lake Temple

We ate at Romano's Macaroni Grill and then he drove me to Sandy, where I was staying with Adriane and a family (the Aune's) that she had lived with when she was doing her student teaching. We hung out in the living room with all of them and eventually just the two of us were left. We read the book The Polar Express and just sat and talked. Not long after that, we were sitting very close and our faces were closer. Being the lady and completely unforward and conservative girl that I am, I leaned over and kissed him. In my defense, I feel proud of myself that I had waited that long. He teases me about the fact that I kissed him first, but never once has he complained. Besides, he was about to do it anyway, when your faces are that close it's a pretty obvious conclusion. He did tell me that any worries that had previously been there about lacking chemistry were definitely not an issue with us. Victory!

The next day we went to Chili's for dinner and then he came with me to the reception. He offered to come, so it wasn't like I was dragging him there. I was so glad that he came with me, it meant that I got to show him off to those there that I would know. Considering the long history between my family and the Cook family, I was especially happy. Shelby was there, too, so she got to check him out as well. We had established already that we were officially dating and a couple. That meant I could introduce him as my boyfriend *insert elated squeal here*. People couldn't believe that we hadn't known each other longer, we just seemed to fit. After the reception, at which everyone was completely enamored by him, we went to Provo to see a few of his friends serve as the entertainment portion of a company's holiday party doing stand-up comedy. Matt is in a group called Humor U with them and so we went to be supportive, and I think also because he wanted to show me off a little. It was great and after that we went to ice cream with his friends Callie and Jefferson. They were great and we had a blast. Then he took me back up to Sandy with plans to attend his ward together the next day.

It felt like the most natural thing in the world to be at church with him and to be sitting together in Sacrament Meeting. I could immediately imagine that that could be how the rest of my Sundays would be. He felt the same way, we discussed later. It was after church while we were back at his place that afternoon that we officially talked about us getting married specifically and not just in hypotheticals or the whole "we're talking about getting married but doing it in such a way that we're not technically talking about us specifically getting married at a specific time." The night before we had talked about how things between us just made sense, it wasn't like some angel had appeared or that either of us had some glorious manifestation, it just made sense and felt so right, leaving us both feeling so happy and peaceful about it. I could especially tell because of how at ease I felt and how I didn't feel anxious or worried about being abandoned all the time. Just one of the many miracles that have occurred since he came into my life. He had decided to come and visit me in Rexburg the next weekend and we had also decided to go and look at rings while he was there. It all seemed so fast but never did it feel fast. It honestly has always felt like the natural progression and speed at which we should go.

After watching the devotional together, it was time to say goodbye. We were in his kitchen and he was hugging me when he pulled back and asked, "Is it too early to use the 'L' word?" I laughed and told him it wasn't. To which he replied, "Well, then.... I love you." When he said that, chills coursed through my body and goosebumps rippled across my skin, and a new wave came over me when I told him that I loved him, too. It was like when you or someone bears their testimony and you can feel what they're saying is truth. I knew he loved me and that I loved him too. We hugged and he kissed me again, and then leaned back and he said, "I really love you. Like a lot." It was seriously one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me. Leaving someone had never been so hard before.

I can honestly say that I have never felt more secure, loved, or valued in a relationship as I do with Matt. He is sweet, loyal, caring, and genuine. Until I met him, I had no idea how good and fulfilling a relationship could be; that it didn't have to be laced with disappointment, frustration, and feelings of betrayal or abandonment.  There is a peace and contentment with Matt that has always been lacking before. I just didn't know the difference.

In the subsequent two weekend visits as well as the countless hours of phone calls and video chatting, it became obvious to both of us that we do not want to live without the other. Thus, we have decided to be sealed in the Portland Temple on April 30, 2011. It's amazing how when something is right, all of the details fall right into place. We are holding the reception at the Pheromone art gallery in Salem, Oregon, the very one that I worked at this past summer, and the greatest part is that we will be doing so free of charge. I have already heard back from a few different design firms in Virginia where we will be living. Yesterday I went dress shopping and found a dress in the very first store I went to. The dress I fell in love with is a sample dress that doesn't need alterations, it fits perfectly. I met with and hired a photographer today. And most importantly, I was able to schedule my endowment and our sealing on the dates we wanted and even at the times we had decided would be best. It feels like every obstacle or hurdle that needed to be avoided or jumped moved out of the way for us.

I will continue to update this as the adventures continue. I will also try to tell more stories about the very early stages of our relationship's development. Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers throughout the years. I know that many of those have been answered through Matt and other ways as well.

Matt and me at the Salt Lake airport before Christmas break