Why I love you.

1. You address me by my name.
2. You treat me with respect.
3. We share similar interests.
4. You are always making me smile.
5. You know exactly how to make me laugh.
6. I can be my silly self with you.
7. We can hold a conversation together.
8. You know when its important to be serious.
9. Your smile makes me smile.
10. You want a family.
11. You are attractive in every way.
12. You take care of me when I need you most.
13. You are patient.
14. You do not judge.
15. You are handsome beyond belief.
16. Everyday I'm with you, I feel like I'm living a fairy tale.
17. You put effort into making our relationship work.
18. Two Words: Long Distance.
19. You talked to me every single day when I was away in Florida.
20. You remember the little things.
21. You let me take as many annoying snapchats, pictures, and videos of you that I want to.
22. You love me with your whole heart.
23. You put 150% into everything you do.
24. You are an extremely hard worker.
25. You want to build a family together.
26. You aren't afraid to show your emotion.
27. You genuinely care for other people.
28. You make me feel calm.
29. You say "I love you." first.
30. You want to share eternity with me. Of all people? ME.
31. You support my decisions even if they aren't the best.
32. You are always putting others first.
33. You amaze me.
34. You are a man.
35. You are committed.
36. You tell me daily how much you love me.
37. You listen to me tell stories and talk about my crazy dreams.
38. You listen to me. Period. No matter what I have to say.
39. You are like my father in all the silliest of ways.
40. You are doing great things with your life.
41. You have great style.
42. You respect women. Not just me, but all women.
43. We argue. Even though it sucks at the time, we work it out.
44. You accept me for who I am.
45. You fall in love with me more and more every time you see me.
46. You know what you want in life.
47. You work to accomplish your goals.
48. You are a great role model and example for my brothers.
49. You fight for us.
50. You fight for me.
51. You are willing to stick up for me.
52. You never put me down.
53. You make sure to never bring me down, and always lift me up.
54. You have a strong testimony.
55. You pray for others even when angry/frustrated with them.
56. You keep calm.
57. You listen to me sing non-stop and never complain.
58. You appreciate the little things.
59. You put up with my craziness when I'm tired.
60. You are the ONLY man that has ever made me cry happy tears.
61. We share the same values.
62. We value the same things.
63. You care about what I want in life.
64. Not one day goes by, that you don't make me smile.
65. You do not shy away from talking about the serious things.
66. You aren't perfect.
67. You protect me from danger.
68. You are always willing to talk out a fight.
69. You laugh harder at your own jokes than at mine. Even when they aren't funny.
70. You communicate with me about what we want together in our future.
71. You are completely selfless.
72. You make the silliest faces.
73. You look at me like no one else exists.
74. You dance with me.
75. You appreciate what I do.
76. You serve me and others constantly.
77. You made me happy again.
78. You are dedicated to everything you do.
79. You make every single road trip interesting.
80. You frustrate me more than anyone I've ever met, but you are ALWAYS willing to stop the fight.
81. You are extremely humble.
82. You value the friendships you have.
83. When we don't know what to do, you come up with the best ideas.
84. You have never once made me question your love.
85. You are the silliest man I've met.
86. You watch the dumbest movies with me just because I want to.
87. You get so excited over the smallest things.
88. You support me in every way.
89. You put forth an effort to see me every day.
90. You like cooking with me.
91. You always eat what I make without complaining.
92. You always make cheer me up when I'm in a bad mood.
93. You don't run away from me when I'm sick.
94. You always make sure I'm not starving.
95. You put up with my dumb tv shows.
96. You got me excited about sports again.
97. Because of you, I finally have a favorite baseball and football team.
98. You like what I like.
99. You changed my life.
100. You are the one.

Why working as a janitor strengthened my testimony.....

I am currently employed basically as a janitor of a call center. Although the job is not the most enjoyable or glamorous, I am grateful for the time I get to spend by myself and reflect daily. Yesterday I was cleaning the men's restroom (which always is the worst part of work). I began to notice throughout the course of this week that the women's restroom was always much cleaner than the men's. At first I was super annoyed that men couldn't clean up after themselves. Then I began to think about how it is God's law for men and women to get married. Many would say that it is a coincidence, but it is honestly such a divine and perfectly executed plan. Just as women need men to support and protect their families, men need women to nurture and care for theirs. Cleaning re-iterated the Plan of Salvation to me and made me remember how important not only marriage, but eternal marriage is for us. I love how I am quietly reminded that the gospel is the best thing that I could be doing in my life.

Back in the Burg

       I'm BACK! Finally!

And I could not be happier. Things are going so well! Seeing everyone and being back around Mike is incredible! Not only that, but I got a job! I'm still looking for a job during the day, so if you are aware of anywhere hiring, that would be great! Things are going so well in my life. It makes me realize how everything that I have gone through is finally worth it. If you would have asked me a year ago, if I would be this happy and this in love I would have laughed directly in your face. It always amazes that one person can have such a large impact on your life. I've also learned, that no matter how in love you think you are with someone in high school, it's only high school. True love and so many life experiences await you in the real world. And it's okay to be sad and miss what you had with that person, for a time. But, you need to pick yourself up and move past that. The sooner you do, the happier you'll be. It may have taken me a while to realize it, but I could not be happier that I did. I feel like Mike was placed into my life at the perfect time. It is truly incredible how aware God is of what we're going through and how he intertwines our lives together just at the time we need each other most to benefit each other as much as possible. I never thought I would marry someone like my father and now that it's happening, I feel like I'm in the best dream of my life. I cannot wait to start a family with Mike and share everything I have to give with him. He is beyond the best man that I could have imagined. He makes me smile and laugh countless times everyday. So here's to us.... 

I did it!

I don't know if I could say I had the time of my life, but I met some incredible people and had a great time. The Disney college program may not have changed my life, but it changed the fact of who I knew before and after I did it. When I went in, I was expecting a much more positive experience. Who knew that people on vacation could be so angry at Disney World? Although you can capture moments in a picture, you can never truly capture the experience, or the feelings. I love the opportunity I was given, but I am more than pleased I am away from the fake people.

My Magic Moment

At work, it is my job to make the little girls feel like princesses. Today, the roles were unintentionally reversed. I was unloading a train full of people. And just as I do with any train, I welcomed them back, asked them to watch their step, directed them towards the exit and reminded them to grab all their belongings. To my surprise, a little girl looked directly into my eyes and said thank you. But not just in the "it's the right thing to say" kind of way. She was so grateful for the wonderful time that she had on our ride. Then to my even greater astonishment, she wrapped her arms around me and gave me what felt like the biggest hug a little girl could give. It made me so happy to see that parents are raising their children to love one another and appreciate what others do for them. It also goes to show that we are all living this life and we can all help one another and live life together, or be completely miserable and live life alone.

California

So, I recently went back home to California. I didn't really have anything TOO special planned, but I did know what I wanted to happen.  However, the closer the day approached, the less likely it seemed that I was going to see Mike. Things are not always what they seem though.  I woke up at 5:00 in the morning and got ready to head home. The whole flight I kept arguing with myself in my head about whether or not Mike was going to be able to make the trip out to California by Saturday to be able to see me. I kept thinking, "what if he's at the airport?" but then I would assure myself that I was just getting too excited. Little did I know what he had been planning for over a week and a half. I get off the shuttle and start looking around for my dad. I don't see him anywhere, so I start heading towards the escalators. Just as I'm about to get on, I hear my name. I almost didn't turn around because it wasn't my dad. But, for some reason I did. There I see Mike holding up a sign with my name on it. I could not have been more surprised and happy.

After that, he drove me home where I got to surprise Westley. He thought I wasn't going to be able to see his musical, but I flew home for him. Over the next few days, Mike and I spent time together visiting friends and family, laughing, eating at some of our favorite restaurants, and relaxing with each other. It was by far some of the best surprises of my life and I would never take it back for anything. Here are a few more of the pictures from our time together.

We had so much fun together and are looking forward to the upcoming Spring semester where we will get to spend much more time together.

I feel lovely.

As I've been thinking lately, I've began to realize more and more each day just how blessed I am to have Mike in my life. In my previous relationship--as I mentioned earlier--I felt that I had to be a certain way.  It left me feeling completely empty when we broke up. I realized that I no longer knew who I was because I had changed so much to be the person that he wanted me to be. I never felt 100 percent comfortable being myself. As I went through a very tough breakup, I found myself again. I learned that I really loved who I am. Sure, there are things I need to improve. Nobody's perfect, but I now know that I am perfect for someone. And Mike has helped me to realize this. I NEVER have had to worry about being too silly, stupid, skinny, fat, or too little or too much of anything. He is such a wonderful man and shows me every single day just what loving someone means. I love this song because the woman in this song, begins to realize her self worth. Do NOT EVER let anyone tell you who to be or make you feel bad for being the way you are. Here's the lyrics:

I don't wanna be her

I just want to be little old me

Shouldn't have to think

Who am I suppose to be today

And what give you the right

To tell me who I should be

Who gave you that right

Cause I, I feel lovely

Just the way that I am

Yes I feel lovely

The way that I am

I know you want the best

Yeah only good things for me

But you have to realize

I can't be all these things you project on me

Cause I'm beautiful to me

Doesn't that mean a thing

I feel lovely

Just the way that I am

Yes I feel lovely

The way that I am

I need that to be enough for you

Need that to be enough for you

Cause it's enough for me

It's enough for me

Am I suppose to give up everything I am

Just to make you happy

I thought I was the one you

Always wanted me to be

It turns out I'm just little old me

I'm just little old me

And that's fine by me

Cause I, I am lovely

Just the way that I am

Oh yes I am, 

Yes I am lovely

The way that I am

I am lovely lovely

I am lovely

By the end of the song, she realizes that she's good enough and it doesn't matter to her whether anyone else thinks of her. I think that's how we should feel about ourselves. Once we become comfortable with who we are, the perfect person for you will come along. I have learned this. I know it took me time to learn this, but every single day when I talk to Mike, I realize how worth the wait is.  He shows me that I am perfect in the way I am.  Genesis 1:27 reads, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." And since we are created in the image of God, we too were created to become perfect. However, we must do our part to make it happen.