Twelve Great Years

Jeremy and I have been married for 12 years as of yesterday. I love to think back on our lives and how we have changed over the years.

We met 13 years ago when we were set up on a blind date. Mike Heaton and Julie Granger were dating at the time and wanted to plan a double date. Mike, a long time friend, invited Jer and Julie, a new found friend, invited me to go play croquet at the Taylor's. Jeremy was not happy because he though I was another Lisa he knew from high school and didn't think was very cute. But when they picked me up from my house he told Mike that I was not who he had pictured. In fact, his first thought was that I was sexy.

The date was pretty good. I was nervous and Jer was different from anyone I had known. He was strong in personality knew exactly what he wanted and who he was. I was still finding myself since I was only 17. This was the summer of 1995 just after I had graduated from high school. We dated all through the summer. We went hiking, played with friends, took walks and drives, went to church a couple times, and just got to know each other. I was sure that this was the one I would be with forever and it scared me. I was so young and had only dated one other guy. I pulled away by fooling around and playing games, which didn't sit well with Jer.

Sometime during that summer I went to Lake Powell with my friend Julie and while we were there she convinced me (unknowingly) that Jeremy was a great guy who would do anything for his friends. She gave him high marks and also let me know that she could tell that he really liked me. I returned home from that trip and basically went straight to his house. I had to tell him that I didn't want to play games anymore and wanted to be with him. I wanted to tell him that I loved him but that seemed a little early. I wanted to be with him all the time and thought about him all the time when we couldn't be together.

Fall rolls around and I am scheduled to go to Utah State for college with some friends. I really didn't want to move away from Jer but knew I would see him every weekend. He ended up quiting his job and moving to Logan to be closer to me. We lived off his savings for a couple months while I went to school (okay, tried to go to school) and he golfed and did yard work. We had an adorable teeny tiny apartment with a front yard. It was the closest we had to having our own place.

Jeremy proposed on Christmas night at the Salt Lake Temple under those twinkling lights. It was cold and romantic and TOTALLY unexpected. I had no idea he was going to do it. Which made it all the better. Of course I said yes, there was no question in my mind that we were made for each other. Even now we disagree about "the one". He feels that there isn't just one person out there for you, but a few possibilities depending on your choice. I feel that there is one person out there at a time for you and right now (and hopefully forever) it is Jeremy.

We have had our ups and downs. Some have even been really bad and really good. Either way, we are stuck together whether we like it or not. I am too stubborn to let him go and he is exactly the same way with me. Who wants to start over after 12 years and 2 kids? I am so happy we found each other and have been together for so long. It seems like forever and it seems like 5 minutes. It's hard to explain, but I like it.