Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's been exactly one week since Shanam was called out on an emergency business trip to Texas. He called me last Thursday while I was at work to tell me he was headed to the airport in an hour and that he might not be back for a COUPLE MONTHS! We were so distraught that we wouldn't get to see each other before he left, it was horrible! Don't worry, I pulled myself together :) But it really is strange to go from being with each other every single day to nothing at all! But to count my blessings...I've had so much time to prepare for the wedding! All the big things are ready to go, now I get to focus on all the fun details :) I hope ya'll are planning on coming because this is going to be one spectacular day!

Isn't it about...Time? NO!

Yesterday, as I was studying for my Sunday School lesson, the lesson mentioned how the Restoration was a combination of three things--the right time, the right place, and the right person. God had prepared every little event leading up to the Restoration in order for the Resoration to be perfect. I noticed, interestingly enough, the combination of those three things are what modern day prophets have said about marriage--the right time, the right place, the right person. This got me to thinking about relationships. Before I had met Shanam I remember thinking...WHEN is it going to be my turn...why can't I get find him right NOW...why do I have to WAIT so long? Here's my conclusion. Time is irrelevant to the Lord. Time is something that was created for us here on earth to measure the length of our probation, but the Lord doesn't run on time. The Lord runs on events. Just like the Restoration, everything has to be in order and prepared for the next step, no matter how long that takes. I realize now that certain things had to happen in my life, certain decisions had to be made, before I was ready to meet Shanam and before I was able to recognize the incredible blessings he brought into my life. This moment of meeting the right person happens at different times for everybody, but as long as we have faith that the events in our life are preparing us for that moment, it will happen. And when that moment "finally" happens, the rightness of it feels soooo good :)

You Won't Believe This!

LOL!! So, I have to tell you about our first ski adventure together! LOL!! Just a little backround first, though. Shanam is an amazing, amazing skier. He started skiing when he was 6 years old and for high school he attended an athletic sport school where he specialized in downhill speed racing!! We're talking flying down the mountain at 85 mph. He lived, breathed, dreamed ski every single day. He climbs up to the very tops of mountains just so he can ski down them and jump off cliffs! Think about those crazy videos you see on the extreeme sports channel and that's him. And then there's me. I've been skiing once, almost 10 years ago. We make a great pair, right? Anyway, ever since we started dating he's wanted to get me on the slopes, well the day finally came. News Year's Day we embark on perhaps the most nerve-racking, intimidating, exciting day of my life. He gets me all geared up and we start out on the bunny slopes, slowly but surely. Another thing you have to know is that he was never actually taught how to ski, it was almost as if he was born knowing how. So when he told his family and friends that he was going to teach me, they ALL tried to discourage him, telling him it would be better if I took lessons from someone else. I told him I knew he could do it. So, here we are at Alta. He's doing his best to tell me how to position my skis to make the turns and I'm doing my very best to follow his every word. We're on the bunny slopes for about an hour...that's a long time to be on the bunny slopes. And let me tell you, I was so impressed with how patient he was being with me! At one point, I told him to go for a run by himself and I would stay on the bunny slope and keep practicing, but he firmly said that he loved me and would not leave my side. That really meant a lot to me, and looking back on it, that was the most critical part of the day. If he had left me, I would have never made it on that mountain! Soon after that point, I was comfortable enough to hit the slopes. My first run down was a little shaky, but my second run was awesome!! It felt so good to finally get the feel of it, and Shanam loved watching me ski. It was a great moment for both of us :) But, that's not the end of the story. LOL. It gets better. After lunch we decide I'm ready for a blue run. I'm feeling pretty confident in myself and then we reach the very top of the mountain. The run is a lot steeper...I'm scared...and suddenly I forget everything I just learned. Shanam skiis down a little ways, so effortlessly I might add, and looks back up to me and motions with his hands to start skiing down. It took all the courage I had to start sliding forward. But remember, my mind's blank and I don't know what I'm supposed to do so I start going faster and try to turn but get thrown off balance and tumble down to him. This happens about three more times. Everytime he helps me get back up and we go over what I'm supposed to do, but I can't retain it, and my body's tired, and I just want off that mountain. I just nodd my head, try again, and fall. On one particular bad fall I tweaked my knee the wrong way and could hardly put any pressure on it...not good. It took us about 20 minutes to go 10 feet, sliding down sideways, and finally I asked him if there was any other way. I was just so tired by that point and sad that I had ruined our perfect day of skiing, and disappointed in myself. But there was Shanam, right by my side the entire time, giving me positive support and constant love. He's amazing. He said we could call the ski patrol and I said no way. Then he said we could try something else. He said he had never done it before, but it could work. And I said...ok. He instructed me to get right behind him and place my skis on the inside of his, wrap my arms around his shoulders as if I was going for a piggy back ride, and hold on tight. And I said...ok. And then we started moving, slowly at first, and then faster and faster. I couldn't see where we were going at all, so I just had to pay attention to his body movements and match it with mine. Can you get a good visual? LOL! We were wizzing past people who just stared at us as we made our way down the mountain piggy-back style. We made it to the bottom and all I could do was laugh! My hero!

We're Engaged!!

Well, for everyone who guessed he'd propose high on a mountain top, give yourselves a point! He popped the question at sunset on New Year's Eve as we were hiking in Pleasant Grove Canyon. We found a beautiful overlook and were enjoying the view when he whispered in my ear, "I have a question for you." He then got down on one knee in the snow and asked, "Will you marry me?" I of course shouted for joy and said, "Of course!!" He then brought out the ring, "It's huge!!!" was all I could say :) I then proceeded to plaster him with kisses. So, it's finally official and I can tell the world! May 2nd is the date we've decided on so make sure and clear your calendars!

Wyoming Back Country

I know, it looks like a fake back drop right? Well, if you can believe it's real, we're in Grand Teton National Park. The scenery was truly breathtaking as we had fun hiking, picnicing, and enjoying every minute together. Shanam moved to Wyoming after only two months in Texas, a lot earlier than expected! So, I got to come visit! It's only a 4 hour drive from Highland, UT, so not too bad. Besides the beautiful landscape, I especially LOVED the food in Jackson. One of my favorites was a little thai restaurant called Thai Me Up. So if you ever get a chance, go check it out! We had such a fun trip, I tell ya, I just love this guy more and more!

Texas Escapade

So, you wanna hear a crazy story? This story will explain why we're standing at the Texas border at midnight looking so ridiculously happy :) The story begins about 2 months ago. At the beginning of June, Shanam and I took a trip out to Utah to visit family. I arrived the day after he did. After picking me up from the airport and asking me how my flight was, he began to tell me what had happened to him on his plane ride over. This is where the story gets good. Now you have to understand that Shanam is a very outgoing person and has no problem carrying on conversations with complete strangers. Well, he got talking to the man next to him at the airport. Turns out he's a CEO of a multi-million dollar company that just got it's start a little over three years ago. This of course peaks Shanam's interest since he is the entrepreneur of entrepreneurs and wants to start his own business. They continue until the plane arrives and they are forced to end their conversation and get up. Since they were both headed to Salt Lake, the man decides to invite Shanam to his office to meet with him the next day! Can you believe this, and it gets better! Shanam goes the next day to meet with him and he's offered a job to work as a business developer for the company! So how does this tie into us being on the Texas border at midnight? Well, Shanam decided this would be a great opportunity to learn from someone who has already accomplished what he wants to do and took the job. But in order for him to know about the company he has to learn it from the bottom up. This means going to two seperate branches, one located in Texas and one located in Wyoming for up to 6 months and eventually ending up in Park City. Soooo, two weeks after coming back to Florida we pack up his stuff and head on out to Texas!! We had an awesome road trip, traveling about 17 hours straight to Texas, and finally reaching the border at midnight. A little delirious and giddy :) After getting him settled, I left him there in the middle of nowhere, only to communicate by phone for the next few months, while I went back to Florida. I'll only be here for a little bit longer. End of September is when I'll be moving back to Utah!!! By that time, Shanam should be finishing up in Wyoming and moving to Park City by the end of the year. Isn't it amazing how life just works out :) So everyone out in Utah...be expecting a party! Bethany's moving home!

Introducing...

See the man to the left? Yeah, he entered my life about a month ago, and it's one of those things where I have to keep asking myself, "Is this real? Can someone so wonderful really think I'm so wonderful, too?" Just look at him! So adorable and so...good. I was telling him the other day "You are such a good man." And he asked me, "How do you know?" I responded, "Because when I'm with you I feel good. It's just that simple." Isn't that how it's supposed to be? It feels so comforting to have nothing lingering in the back of my mind, no red flags, no doubts, just feelings of goodness. It's beautiful!

So let me introduce you. This is Shanam. Yes I know, interesting name. His name means peace. He was born in California and has moved around quite a bit, attending high school on the east coast, college on the west and ending up here in Florida. He actually lives about an hour and a half away which makes our relationship that much more interesting. We met at a dance out in Tampa and it's kinda been a whirlwind since then. Just ask my roommates. I think they're all tired of hearing about it all :) But really, I can't help it, he just makes me so happy.