"Sometimes, the only way to catch an uncatchable woman is to offer her a wedding ring."

While I was at school last fall Joe and I would often have skype dates- since he was in California and I was in Idaho, it was the best way to communicate- although roommates make it a bit troublesome, but some one of our best date was to watch Big Fish.

I love that movie. =]

"Sometimes, the only way to catch an uncatchable woman is to offer her a wedding ring."

Joe works from 8am- 5 pm, and since I have not found a job yet, I wait for him all day to get home. I do find many ways to occupy my time- from working out, to addressing thank you's, unpacking and cleaning- there is a lot to be done! But still, I have a lot of thinking time on my hand.

And what I think of, is that a year ago, Joe and I met. Most non- mormons are amazed at this- and it gets a bit awkward. Most Mormons are amazed at our 'long' six month engagement. But hey- it happens. =]

A year ago I met Joe. I got home from BYU-I in early April, but it took me a few weeks till I was finally convinced to attend the singles ward. I cannot recall an exact moment I met him- our singles ward was very involved with each other- every day we did things together, from FHE to volleyball, missionary nights to movie nights, murder in the dark to bonfires. We just were always around each other. But I noticed him. =] I had a sort of crush on him- but nothing serious, I just wanted to have fun that summer- and I still wanted to serve a mission.

About mid June'ish I stared to spend a lot of time with just Joe. We became really good friends who would rely on each other for everything, but still thought of each other as FRIENDS. Nothing more could ever happen, that crush I had was gone. One Monday he did not show up for FHE, and that night talking to him on facebook it was like this tsunami wave of reality hit me, I liked Joe and I HAD to tell him. It took me all until Wed to tell him- and it was at the our city's Strawberry festival. We were on the Ferris Wheel- the group we came with were an odd number, so we ended up going on alone.

It was the most random thing I have ever done. Scary, yes, but more like exhilarating. Him sitting next to me- the night started off with us just naturally parring off and wandering around on our own, and then he asked for my advice, he wanted to start dating again- which, naturally, I was very eager about. But it wasn't me he was thinking about- so I new I had to tell him I liked him, and it took me a good hour or two to get the courage up. He knew what I was going to tell him, he even told me he knew! I tried to say it- and I just looked at him with this smirk on his face, but he told me that I had to say it. So I told him I liked him. I jumped the hurdle, dropped out of the plane, pulled the trigger- whatever, I told him. And he said, "That makes two of us."

Butterflies. That was all it was. Butterflies in my stomach everywhere. I was so excited, and I had no idea what to do. =]

Sadly, this joy only lasted about another 36 hours. Friday morning some evil tornado threw my happy ever after upside down, and mine and Joe's frienship went dead for a few weeks. I won't say much about it... just that it was the most awkward time ever. We were still friends- still did things, but in groups- never really talking alone anymore... because of some other women. ugh.

[Side note- It's interesting hearing Joe's point of view about this now. He knew what he was doing was stupid, and that he hurt me and that he wanted to be with me. But these events made us grow stronger to each other some how)

Well anyways, after a bit of time, Joe and I were back to being BFF's. It just happened. We were always completely honest with each other, and even though neither one of us would admit it, we were both each others BEST FRIENDS. We talked daily, hung out daily. People thought we were dating, the elders, waitresses, cashiers, people in the ward. We basically were, but wern't. We even went on dates- but never did either of us say what they were.

Joe's feelings for me hadn't changed....he still liked me, be thought he had messed things up. So when I told him the next TWO times that I liked him, he just couldn't like me back. It hurt, but I got over it- because he was more important to have as a friend. Which is crazy now, but he meant- he means, so much.

A week before school started, and just 5 days before I left for Idaho, Joe asked me if I wanted to help him run some errands in Lompoc (where he is from, 20 min away from me) and have sushi. I said yes, of course. Joe acted odd the entire time. He wasn't talking like he normally did- and at dinner he could not stop starring at me. We went on a walk after dinner- another awkward silence. After a while he told me he needed to apologize, that he had been looking for the perfect women, always looking forward to the girl he married to be his best friend. He never thought that she would already be his best friend. He apologized, told me that he liked me, and asked if I liked him. =]

More butterflies. And the best feeling in the world.

After a quick slurpee run, we started dating. That night he kissed me. After so many nights of riding around in his truck, watching movies together, and always having that middle bench seat empty, it felt so good to be the one in it- next to him, with his arm around me- as it should have been all along. =]

That is basically our story. =]

Oh.....and

I really like that song, "Live like you were dyeing".

Some days I go and pick Joe up from work, and it is sort of fun- it is about 10 miles from our house, surrounded by 'ranches'. Rows upon rows upon rows of tree's filled with mostly almonds. Dirt roads that take me no where, but I roll down my windows and I smell warmth. People at his work are nice. His boss gave me free pistachios- I LOVE pistachios! =]

But anyways....that song, "Live like you were dyeing" was playing the other day, and it just made me happy!

"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

Today my crazy adventure: Attend to Joe's wounds. He is accident prone- in the last year he was able to get hung up on a fence by his left hand, broke his right hand, got his index finger stuck in the gear of his bicycle, and get an ATV rolled on top of him.

Not that crazy, but oi, that boy....

I love him. =]