14 years today since we were engaged!!!

Wow, time flies when you're having fun!!! Isn't that what they say? Who is "they" anyways?? Yep, it's true. It was 14 years ago TODAY that Darin and I were officially engaged. October 21, 1994. I had been having quite an attitude about all this "marriage business" for some time before this date. I wanted to marry Darin, and knew I would. But I just wanted to be older when we got married. But alas, there is no such thing as a four year engagement AND a temple marriage. I never looked at wedding rings with Darin. He asked me once if I wanted to and I think my reaction kept him from asking again. What a rebellious soul I was...and am. Most who knew us at the time were quite certain it was me chasing Darin for years. Quite the contrary. Poor guy. I made darn sure it was me he wanted and loved--It still amazes me that he chose me, and didn't run at high speed in the opposite direction after the torture I put him through. He seemed to just know that I would come around eventually, and was patient with all my ranting and raving and questioning. Pretty similar even today, now that I think about it.

I think it was just the day before this--October 20, 1994, that Darin came to my house and woke me up VERY early in the morning. He was pretty much asking me to marry him right there and then. I was furious!! One, because we were supposed to be taking a "break" from all this serious talk. Two, because he had no ring. And three, because it was WAY too early in the morning!! I just sat in my bed and stared at him. I literally didn't say a word. He finally got up and left. but did he give up?? Oh no no!! He went out and bought a ring!!!! The next night it was on my finger. He had sold his car to buy me that ring. The replacement car was a gray something or other--can't remember...but it always died when it rained. How weird!! No matter, that boy loved me enough to sell his nice car!!

The evening we were engaged his family was making fun of him because he was so nervous for our date. They had NO clue what was about to take place that night. It was the night of the USU homecoming dance. We went to an italian restaurant with my brother Ammon and his wife, Alison. I can't even think of the name of the place--I'll edit this post when I remember it. When we got out of the car to go eat, Darin locked all the doors in his vehicle. He NEVER did that back then. I knew right then and there that there was a ring in the car. I was a little mad. How could this be so right and what I wanted to do and be happening so quickly?? I was only 20 at the time, and 21 by the time we were married. I did not have grand fairy-tale images of marriage. I had five older married siblings at that time. I wanted to be married and have a family and progress in life--but I did not go into it with unrealistic expectations. (Or so I thought.)

I remember almost nothing about dinner or the dance. Did Darin dance? He doesn't dance. I do know we had our picture taken--I have the photo to prove we were there. But it's all a blur. All I could think about was that ring out in the locked car. I had no idea what I was going to say. "Yes, I will marry you---in four years!!" I also felt like he had no idea what he was getting himself into--I am a handful to say the least, and perhaps he wasn't in his right mind?

Fast forward through the evening. We had left the dance and were at the temple grounds. I couldn't take my eyes off the ring in front of me, and the words that came out of my mouth were, "Are you SURE you want ME??" Boy I am something--right down to the last second I was making him prove his feelings for me. I knew I wanted him, needed him. I had known it in my heart of hearts for years. And I had recently had a personal confirmation that he is also who Heavenly Father wanted me to have. It was right--but it was no easy street getting to that moment in time. Once the ring was on my finger, it all melted away--all the questioning, all the worries about how young we were, all the nervousness about making the biggest decision of my life. It was gone. I'll never forget sleeping that night in my bed. It was the most conscious, peaceful night of sleep I ever recall having. All was right with the world as far as I was concerned. DARIN JONES asked me to marry him and I (eventually) said YES!!! Peace.....

It was late by the time we were heading home that night we got engaged. We stopped at my parents home first and woke up my mom and dad. My dad gave Darin a true-to-form welcome to the family. He was all teared up and gave Darin a hug--it might be of interest to note that my dad was wearing his long one-piece garments. And nothing else!! A true welcome to MY family!! By the time I returned later that night, my mom was sitting up in bed with a notebook, planning the wedding!!!! That is SO my mom. (And so ME!!)

Darin's family mostly just looked at us. Speechless is a good word for it. It was the middle of the night and we did wake them all up....maybe they thought they were having a nightmare?? But his little sisters were MORE than excited!!! Which made a happy memory for me. Especially his little sister Devarie. She sat right up in bed and kissed me and said, "I knew it. I knew it!!" She had dreamed the night before that this very thing had happened. She was a wise little thing--and still is today!!

We were married 3 months and 3 weeks later. Darin wanted to get married at Christmas break. I wanted to get married at Spring break. So we each chose a date and then went towards each other on the calendar, one day at a time, til we met in the middle. We landed on February 9th, a Thursday. Perfect!! Little did we know how often we'd be playing that give and take, compromising game in marriage. So far it's been a win/win little game, when we're both willing to play it!!

So, this was the night, 14 years ago that it all began really. There was no turning back after that perfect, peaceful night of sleep that has never left my memory. We had grown up a mile apart from each other, in two different worlds really. It was meant to be. We are who each other needs, and has always needed. One of my favorite stories is the following: My mom was Darin's Sunday school teacher at some point in time when he was a teenager. The lesson was on eternal marriage. Darin mentioned to her that he couldn't imagine living with any of the girls he had dated, for even a short time, let alone eternity!! My wise mother told him that when he finds the one for him, he won't be able to imagine living WITHOUT her for a short time, let alone eternity!!!! Little did he know that advice was coming from his future mother-in-law!! It's true....14 years ago I could only picture my future with Darin. And still today, a million trials, challenges, heartaches, joys, blessings, and memories later--I can still only imagine my future and my eternity with Darin. I am so blessed that he didn't give up on me all those years ago!!!

Happy 14th engagement anniversary Darin!!! I loved you then, love you still. Always loved you, always will. "We've got a good thing going!!"

October 21, 1994

USU Homecoming Dance photo.

Halloween fun the week we were engaged.

While we were engaged, I had my gal bladder removed. Why does he look so happy? I guess because I quickly had this surgery done before going off my parents insurance!!

This was the photo we used for our wedding announcements. Maybe I look 16, but he looks 12!!!! Just for the record, we were 21 and 23!!! And a very mature 21 was I!!!! HA!!