1 plus 1 makes 5: Summer Love

How it all began...

It was 5 years ago today that I met my prince charming. Chris and I were both so young; I was only 18 and he was 23. I had just graduated from high school a few weeks earlier and my next plan was to go on a mission for my church. I planned on going early because I know 2 other female missionaries that served when they were 19. I loved going to the missionary prep classes. I felt so much joy and enthusiasm knowing that I would be sharing the gospel with so many people. And since Chris was one if the teachers, it made it much more fun too. The first time I saw him was when he was teaching. He looked so "cute". I couldn't hold back my smile every time I looked at him. He was wearing a white shirt and tie with gray pants and glasses. I went up to him after class, shook his hand and thanked him for a great lesson. (I don't even think I was listening to his lesson ha ha). I kept it short and sweet. I even cut him off and said I had to go... A girl's gotta keep a guy on his toes! So I left and saw him again the following week. This time he made it a point to sit right behind me. At the end of church as I was walking to my car, he "ran" after me to get my phone number. (Of course he says he didn't chase after me, but he did).
June 21, 2006 was our first date. At this point I had only seen him at church where he wore a white shirt and tie and glasses, so I was anxious to see what he was really like and if he was dorky. He picked me up for our date looking cuter than ever and I was surprised that he wasn't wearing any glasses! turns out he was a contact wearing guy but when I met him he had just ran out of them. We went on a double date miniature golfing. Then after wards he took me to Jamba Juice where we sat on the bed of his truck talking for hours about random things. It was the best first date I had ever been on and not because it was the most creative or anything, but because I felt something I had never felt before with any other person. Chris and I had a blast dating. We went hiking, camping, tubing down the Kern river, we saw a fancy play in L.A, there were of course many beach and river trips, and we even went bungee jumping.

June 21, 2007 he proposed in the most romantic way! He blindfolded me as we drove to our surprise destination. He walked me out of the car, down a few steps (that's where trust came in to play ha ha) and finally untied my blindfold. I was looking down onto the ocean as the sun was setting and reflecting a combination of beautiful colors onto it's surface. In the sand was written "EMMA, MARRY ME." I quickly turned around to see him and he was down on one knee. Do I need to say what my answer was... We hugged for a while. As we continued watching the sunset, Chris was telling me all the reasons he loves me and why he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Three months later we were sealed together for time and all eternity in the Newport Beach, California temple. I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful man in my life.
June 21, 2011, here we are 5 years later, happily married with a beautiful baby and another on the way. It's amazing how our love for each other keeps growing and growing. I look forward to the adventures the future holds for us.