Aaron Tells "His Side"...This is TOO cute to pass up!

My story (Aaron)

...it's only fair to tell my side too

First of all, I love Bree more than anything; that said, I feel like I need to clarify a few things (though everything she said is, in fact, still true).

I didn't realize it, but for me this story actually began a long time ago. I'm not great at cooking, but I do love throwing BBQs for family and friends and have done so for the past few years. I was living in Provo at the time and have cooked for many people, including Bree's boss Ryan.

A few months ago Ryan asked me to cook for a work party and I agreed to do it. We played around with a few dates and it wasn't really working out for either of us; finally, we agreed on a date. He told me that he would have someone contact me to organize the event and would pay for me to do a BBQ. I just looked at him, shook my head and said, "As long as I get a plate...I'm good." I got a plate full that weekend, and not just of food.

Well, a few weeks passed and I figured I would just "wing it" if no one contacted me. A week before the BBQ I received a call from a number that I didn't recognize. I thought it could be work related, so I answered it, only to hear her sweet voice:

"Hello, this Aaron..."
"Hi, is this Aaron?"
(really?!) "Uh, yes."

I honestly could not understand the first few sentences that this girl said (including her name--sorry Babe), but she mentioned Ryan's name and the BBQ, so I put two and two together and figured that this is the chick organizing the event. Even though I didn't quite get her name I felt very comfortable talking to her and joked around a bit.

I asked what they planned on cooking. She said she didn't know and just figured that I could decide since I was the cook. My first thought was "Isn't this girl supposed to know these things?" So, I asked her, "Aren't you supposed to know these things?" I think she got a little defensive; It was cute.

We decided to meet up before the BBQ to go shopping then hung up. I thought that she sounded cute and a little flirty. Was this girl single? If so, that could be cool. If she's married then I would be a victim of another married woman flirting with me...don't ask.

I got a call the day before the BBQ from a number that I didn't know, but kind of recognized:

"Hello, this is Aaron..."
"Hi, this is Bree!"
"...?" (THAT'S HER NAME!!)

We planned on meeting at Costco and I told her to just look for "a big polynesian-looking guy". She texted from another number saying that THAT's her cell phone and that she is with a baby. I thought that this was a clear sign; she was putting out there that she was married. I mean c'mon, who drops the "I'll have a baby with me" and expects me to think that they are single? Just my luck...another flirty married woman WITH a kid.

As I walked toward the building I tried looking for a woman with a baby. As I got closer I saw a young attractive woman with a baby checking out every brown man walking by...this has to be her. I thought to myself, "Remember, she's married. Off limits!"

Despite my "knowing" that she was married, I put on a charming smile, called her name, and put out my hand to shake hers to introduce myself. She literally jumped back a little and got really flustered, then got all jittery (what was wrong with this girl). She quickly explained that the child wasn't hers...blah, blah, and waved her LEFT hand around to show that she was, in fact, SINGLE...things just got a little more interesting. Alright, Aaron...Operation "Be smooth" has commenced.

The hour or so that we spent in Cosco was actually quite entertaining. And though I wasn't as smooth as I would have liked, I already knew that this girl had the hots for me, so I thought I had the upper hand still; to be fair I thought she was a hot mess too.

Walking around Costco with a girl that looked like she was hit by a hurricane (yet still beautiful despite), a baby, and a cart full of groceries wasn't exactly what I signed up for. The best part was that everyone thought we were married and commented on how cute our baby was. What did I get myself into?! I'm just the cook.
Despite the chaos at Costco we drove back to her work to drop off the food. I opened my window to feel the wind while driving; Bree did the same. I kind of took it as another sign of her being flirtatious (she did have pretty hands) and I thought to myself "I need to ask this girl out."

I later told my brother that I wanted to ask her out. He said:

"Dude, take her out on a date."
"Why do you want me to go on a date with her so badly, you've never seen her."
"You NEVER go on dates, let alone actually asking a girl on one."

Anyway, at her work, there were a few guys that kind of joked with Bree (while I was still standing there) saying that she finally found her good looking, big, buff, brown guy (I was flattered that they thought I was good looking and buff). But, seriously, WHO IS THIS GIRL?! I was going to ask her on a date before I left, but it almost seemed too easy to get her to fall for me...there's got to be some sort of catch that I'm not seeing. Maybe she's a creeper. Hot mess, kid, and checks out every brown guy that she sees...I decided to marinate on the idea a little longer before I jumped the gun.

The BBQ did run smoothly, but I was pretty busy making sure everyone had full stomachs. Yes, I did check Bree out a few times, but I didn't get to talk to her too much. I actually invited a pretty cute girl to the BBQ earlier that week to keep me company, but she bailed on my the night before...good thing or that would have been awkward.

We texted later that day a few times, I'm assuming because we didn't get to talk much, but didn't really hear from each other until she "had" to bring over the reimbursement check on Monday. I'm pretty sure she knew how obvious her intentions were when she sent me the text. She was going to drive 15 minutes away from where she lives to just drop off a check...I don't think so. I did want to see her again so I agreed.

She came up to American Fork and we talked for two hours. I was impressed with our conversations and how comfortable she was talking about anything ("open book" as she put it), so I kept asking her different questions ranging from careers to relationships. She was smart.

This girl wasn't as ridiculous and flustered as she was the week before. I did think she was still a little weird and almost too much to handle, but I still liked her and was going to ask her out for the weekend. She asked first and said that we should do something. When I asked her "when?", she said "Wednesday". That was sooner than I anticipated, but we went on our first date two days later.

The date wasn't spectacular, but still fun. I was a little more serious than normal, but I was really trying to feel her out. She was way too open, which led me to think that she was actually hiding something else that she didn't want me to know. She did admit later that she was thinking of a few things, but she didn't feel comfortable talking about them at the time.

I told Bree that I didn't usually go out on dates and that I really haven't dated anyone seriously in about 2 years. She kind of laughed and me, because I think it led her to the idea that I was either a player, gay, or really anti-social (not necessarily in that order).

I remembered what my brother told me a while back. He said, "Don't waste your money on another man's wife." I'm 29 and have dated enough to know what I want and need in a future wife. Plus, I've spent enough money on girls in past years that I'd probably never see again. Bree was actually looking pretty good (and I would save a lot of money not going on dates, just to date). So I think that a $40 dinner was worth the risk this time.

Bree told me that she couldn't believe that I didn't date anyone for 2 years. I told her that I've just been waiting for the right person to come by; it takes a lot of self-control NOT to date just because. She thought that I was crazy, so I told her that she probably didn't understand because she didn't know what it was like to have any self-control. I then asked her how many guys she dated and kissed during those two years...enough said. And THAT was our first date :)

Our first date was a little different, but again I was intrigued by our conversations. Even though we didn't agree about everything I really enjoyed talking to her. I never got bored...I think she got bored of me though "because I was too serious."

I volunteered to take her to the airport for her MID-singles event for the weekend...I wasn't too worried, even though I pretty much knew her intentions. When she told me she flew standby I told her that she wasn't going to get on the flight (and she didn't). We did a few things around SLC then met up with her Sister in Law and nephews (one of them being my "Costco child"). She was really cool and her kids (all adopted) were way cute. Bree stepped away for a little bit and I got to talk to her S.I.L. for a few minutes about a few random things.

Bree went off to California and did what she does best...socialized. We texted a few times throughout the weekend, but when she came back she seemed a little off. It was the most serious that I've seen her. She told me about a guy that she met and wasn't sure if she wanted to date him or me. The guy was fun and had a personality much like hers and I was...different.

I told her that even though we've only officially gone on one date, I wanted to date her exclusively; that didn't exactly calm the battle going on in her mind. I said it may be a little soon to be talking like this, but I felt like this is what was right. If she didn't want to date I would be totally fine with her decision and understood. She could do whatever she wanted...and she wanted to date me! Oh, Yeah!

Even though it took a little longer for Bree to admit that we were "exclusive" we still did things everyday.
I was invited by her S.I.L. to her nephews sealing, and I was like "There's got to be some kind of mistake. Are you sure?!" I'm not exactly part of your family (yet) and you're not even claiming me as your boyfriend. You can imagine my confusion as I met most of her family in one weekend as her "friend that's a boy", for an incredibly important event. Again, the question went through my mind, "WHO IS THIS GIRL?!"

Luckily, Bree's family is amazing and I'm grateful to be a part of it...now. It didn't turn out too bad.

When she forgot her temple recommend, I saw the panic and frustration in her face. In a way, I kind of saw that same "hot mess" the first day we met. At that moment I wanted to do anything for her in order to make sure that she was okay. We held hands the entire way, and I fell a little in love with her that day.

Even though I've liked her from the start I was still a little unsure, yet curious, about what may turn out. If you know her, you know that Bree is seriously awesome, and that I'm the luckiest guy. If you don't believe me, ask her and she'll tell you how awesome she is and how lucky I am.

I'll never be the same without her...good thing I won't have to worry about that.

Just The Beginning

Over a month ago I was planning a BBQ for work and my boss Ryan asked me to call his friend, Aaron to do the cooking. They had done BBQ’s together before and Ryan spoke very Highly of his BBQ skills.

So I called him up to ask him what we should cook. I couldn’t help but tell that he seemed cute over the phone but I didn’t know anything about him, and I really didn’t know if he was single.

We set up a time to meet at Costco and he told me to look for the big Polynesians. While waiting a super tall older poly walked by, then a poly with his girlfriend and both time I was praying my heart it wasn’t him. I started to get a little antsy (also, I had my nephew with me because I was babysitting for the weekend).

Then I saw this handsome, dark, buff man walking towards me with the cutest smile and I am pretty sure my heart skipped a beat. I quickly informed him that the child wasn’t mine and tried to not give too much interest.

We did our hing shopping and I was a hot mess, partly because I wasn’t totally ready for the BBQ and because he made me nervous. I learned later that he was smitten by my being a hot mess.

The next day was the BBQ and I thought he looked so cute but I didn’t get to talk to him much because we were both trying to make sure everything ran smoothly.  But I snuck a photo of him ;)

I felt for a second his eyes on me at one point and noticed he was looking at me with complete intrigue but didn't know if he was going to ask me out. 

We texted a little later that day but I didn't want to seem desperate so I didn't push anything. But I sure did find a way for us to meet up again. I "had" to take a reimbursement check for some food that his sister bought to him (my boss totally could've taken it to her).

So that next Monday I met up with him at his work and we talked for two hours! I was waiting for him to ask me out and felt like he wanted to but he didn't. Finally because I needed to leave I said we should hang out and he quickly said "when?!" I responded with "wednesday..." and he said yes. I was suppose to go out with someone else that night but made sure to take a "rain check" on that one, and I am so glad I did that.

Our first date was just dinner. It was good. Nothing special. I was a little bored because he seemed SO SERIOUS. He was asking all these deep questions and barely laughed. I now know that it was because he felt like something really could happen between us. I on the other hand wasn't sure but I did want to see him again.

So friday he took me to the airport cause I was headed out of town for a big singles event in southern California. I wasn't able to catch the first flight (I fly standby) and he WAITED around for me. The next flight wasn't for 4 hours so he picked me up and we headed out to do some shopping and met up with my sister in law and nephews. That is when my SIL fell in love with him. She just had a good feeling about him and later texted me something like "well, isn't he just the cutest". She even said something to my brother about it later that night.

I then went on my way to Cali and had a BLAST. I thought about him often and wasn't really interested in meeting anyone else but then I did... Some boy kind of swept me off my feet and we had a fun time together. Feeling a little torn I headed back to Utah.

Aaron picked me up from the airport and he could tell something was a little off. We had a pretty intense conversation considering I had only been on one date with him. And he made it clear that he wanted to date me and me only (mind you this was coming from a boy that hadn't dated or kissed a girl in two years).

I spent the next few days in a battle as I spent my days with Aaron while the other guy continued to text me and wanted to see me when he was coming into Utah the next weekend.

That next weekend my whole family was coming in for my nephews sealing and my SIL wanted me to invite Aaron. I thought, what the heck, my family have met all my boyfriends before and why not just throw him into the trenches. A little hesitant he agreed.

As friday drew closer I knew I needed to decide if I was going to see the other guy. Following my logic I hung with Aaron friday and that folks was the BEST decision I ever made. He met some of the family that night and seemed to fit right in.

Saturday we were heading to the temple and I drove to American Fork to meet up with him and realized I didn't have my temple reccommend. And this is when I knew I could be with this boy... As I was freaking out he calmly grabbed my hand and drove as fast as he could back to Provo the whole way easing my fear that we were going to make it. Just what I needed.

After the sealing my Dad, who tries to steer clear of getting involved with my relationships, sent me a text saying "Now, this isn't prophesy or anything but I could totally see you two together". A peaceful feeling came and I knew I agreed. 

We have spent everyday together since. And I truly believe he is my soulmate. He told me that the first day we talked on the phone he knew my voice was familiar. I can't say I felt the same but I can say that I have always felt like with EVERY guy there was something missing and with him I literally feel complete. It didn't come all at once and we both had to make sacrifices and we both had DECIDE to be together and then it all fell into place.

I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world and it was totally worth the wait.

The first time we said "I love you" to come...

Little Red Riding

About 5 months ago I entered a lottery for the "Little Red Riding Bike Ride" in Logan utah. When I learned that I got in I immediately signed up for the 100 miler thinking that I was going to be ready by June I was feeling excited...

But life started getting in the way as well as my training for my marathon and I hadn't got a bike yet and so I didn't do much riding outside. I decided that I would only do the 35 miler considering the most I think I had done on a bike as just under 20 miles... I may had only done 15...

A couple days before the race I went riding with a new cycling friend that I will be doing the Saints to Sinners race with in July and she told me to just jump in and try the 50. I was so nervous but asked around about what a 50 miler entails and decided to go for it.

Right before the Race.

The starting line (I never started here. I just followed the crowed after we parked the car haha).

The first few miles were fairly easy but I was feeling a little bored. I wouldn't suggest doing this ride by yourself, it's meant to be fun and for big groups to get together. 

I turned on my music and basically had my own personal boom box. I am surprised more people don't turn on their music like that when they ride (it's way safer than having head phones and its nice to have something to motivate, I really don't know how I am going to do in the Ironman without music for the whole day!). 

The nice thing about this ride was I was a little faster then some so I actually was passing some people which was different than the marathon. I still need to pick up my speed a lot for the Saints to Sinners race.

At about 30 miles I stopped for lunch and I ended up eating a little too much. The next 15 miles were killer. I made a friend for about 3 miles and that made it a little easier and then I ended up drafting with a team for a little while and that was SOO nice. I can't believe how much of a difference it makes to tag on the end of a team! 

Then I got to the last five miles and realized I was off course. I ended up riding an extra mile or so because the team I was drafting with were on course for the 100 miler. 

I took this photo when I thought I only had 5 miles left.

Finishing

I couldn't wait to get to the finish line but honestly I think I could go longer. With just a little more training I am stoked to do a 100 miler. I just hope I can have some friends to ride with! 

The first thing I grab a Diet Coke

The greatest boyfriend who drove me all the way to Logan 

and then wait 3 hours for me to do my ride.

I have so much to do before Ironman Cozumel and it is going to get tough but each one fo these races are getting me more and more excited!

Red Zone

Twice a week I meet with my personal trainer Brady. He is probably one of the nicest guys but man is he tough.

This is pretty much how I look after the 30 min I have with him:

Today he talked to me about the "Red Zone" and how I am there with him twice a week for 30 min pushing beyond my limits and that is why when I race I am going to be able to keep going even if I feel like I can't anymore.

This weekend I have the first of the longest bike ride I have ever done (I have decided I will be riding 50 mile or less this weekend, I am SOOO not ready for 100).

So... cheers to being in the "Red Zone" this weekend and pushing through it!

Yes, I am a beginner...

I finally got a road bike! I have been wanting one for years but these things can be expensive. I got my tax returns and I budgeted $600 for a used bike in hopes that I would find something.

I refuse to EVER delete anyone from Facebook bc you never know how they may be of assistance in years to come. A girl that had deleted me and I reconnected on FB a few weeks ago and then she posted this bike for sale for... 

600 bucks!!!! 

I love it, it fits perfectly and rides great but I am a long ways away from being a true cyclist.

I don't really know what any of the lingo means, don't ask me what speed it is or how many gears it has on it, I have NO idea. 

I know how to shift the gears but I really don't know what is the best gear to be in and when 

I should shift.

I still don't own a helmet or a lock for the bike.

I bought an extra cushion for the ridiculous seat but later learned it creates chaffing problems.

I still want to be able to listen to music as I ride which is a NO NO. I have a friend who runs a business that sells speaker inserts for helmets, may be I can get some of those. 

But I do need a helmet first...

So here is to a new adventure! 

10 days till my 100 miler and I have only gone 10 miles all at once... May be I should sign up for a shorter distance ;). 

To My Mother

Mom,

Almost 26 years ago after 3 boys you were blessed finally with a sweet baby girl, well, with a baby girl; sweet may not have been an adjective you would've use to describe me.

I am sure you weren't prepared for how much joy and how much pain you could feel with one child.

I bet the high's were high and the lows may have been almost unbearable.

I am sure there were times you wanted to slap me across the face (you may have done it once, we can pretend not though ;).

I hate to think about the times that I made you cried and I am sure that there were more times then I'll never know about.

I bet there were times when you would've given everything just to have me listen to you and I wish I would've listen to you more.

There were times when I thought you didn't love me but really you were protecting me.

And As the years have passed I have learned how much you really love me.

I may never fully understand the trials you have been through but I now see how strong you really are.

Now I see that you are much of the reason why we have an eternal family.

I see how much you sacrificed for me an everyone else in our family.

I see now how much more I want to be like you.

Thank you for giving up so much to shape me into the woman I have become.

Thank you for loving me even when I was hard to love.

Thank you for being the BEST Mom.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Every Member A Missionary

About 8 months ago I met someone who would eventually change a little part of me and who would bring a special spirit into my life.

Veronica is her name.

I was so excited when I met her and found out that we had a girl from Mexico who didn't speak much english in our ward. It meant I could speak a ton of Spanish!

More interesting news came a few weeks later when I found out she wasn't even a member! I couldn't believe it.

She told me that she started coming to church because she was invited by her roommates. Later she informed me she was meeting with the missionaries because one day on campus a young man helped her with her something. When he found out she wasn't a missionary he invited her to listen to them and she agreed. EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY.

In about October the missionaries began going to her house. She almost always did her homework and always had questions. I started going to the lessons and loved it. Then she left for mexico for about a month and lessons stopped for a while.

The next semester I was called as her visiting teacher. We started to become close, talking about boys and the gospel (my two favorite things). I really started to love Veronica and who she is. She is thoughtful, focused, kind, intuitive, an amazing listener, patient, etc. She is a chosen daughter of God. And I really want to be more like her.

We would do some activities together and I started asking more questions to figure out where she stood with the gospel. I hadn't been to any lessons lately so I didn't know. But this one day I just felt like she was getting ready to be baptized. I ended up going to church with her on a fast sunday. We talked about what a testimony meant; she thought she didn't have one. I asked her if she believed the Book of Mormon was true, if she believed Joseph Smith was a Prophet, and if she felt the church was true. She said yes to all the things and I explained that she had a testimony of them.

The next day the Elders spoke of baptism. And committed her. We spent the next few weeks talking a lot, hanging out and becoming even closer. She had her doubts but we talked through them together as well with the missionaries and as time when on she felt better and better about getting baptized.

And today she chose to follow the Savior and was baptized. It was wonderful.

Documenting the wonderful day!

This isn't even all the missionaries that took part in teaching her. 

Right before she entered the waters of Baptism.

I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and the importance of having it in our lives. I originally was going to sing but then felt relieved when someone else couldn't do the talk and I was going to do it. But right before the baptism I said something about singing and Veronica really wanted me to do it. Mind you I really don't sing in front of people, I did in my mission but feel so scared to do it now. I ended up singing and everything seem to go okay, except for that one note...

Anyways, I teared up with joy as I shared my love for the Gospel and my friendship with this wonderful girl. I asked her how she felt after and she said she just felt content. I know that she made the right decision and I am so grateful that I was able to be a small part in her conversion. And I am so grateful for our friendship and all she has taught me; she is bound to teach me much more (we just got some tomato plants and she is going to teach me how to take care of them lol). It was such a great day!

But that's not all. I also had a really great friend come to church with me today. Marcus is a coworker of mine who came to Utah to find a better life for himself. In the meantime he has met with the missionaries a few times and gone to church on his own (can you believe he sought out a church all on his own and went all by himself!). After not having a great experience with going to a family ward he spoke with me and I invited him to try the singles ward. And he came with me today!

Ryan (our boss), Marcus, and I

It was interesting to hear his experience and how he observed some things. Like that people are on their cell phones too much and that they don't listen like they should.

Can you believe how observant he was about the lack of focus many of us had in there?! It made me think about how much better I should be about devoting my full attention to my Heavenly Father when I am at church.

The good thing was he said the testimonies were awesome and he was really touched by them. He liked the new things he learned and is excited to meet with the missionaries again and wants to come weekly to my ward. And he come to the baptism!

I am so grateful to be apart of such a wonderful church where we invite everyone for the opportunity to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior through baptism by the authority of God. I cannot wait to watch Veronica grow even more as a member of the church and to be apart of teaching Marcus more about this wonderful Gospel.