a 10 year love story

When I was unpacking my suitcase on Sunday, I came across two little handwritten notes from the Mister. They were both so endearing and of course made my eyeballs cry. When Evelyn and I face chatted with Jared yesterday, she got so excited and started furiously waving and took my phone and gave it a hug. Again, eyeballs burned with tears. If you've read this, then you know in a nutshell our story. But being back in our hometown has caused me to reflect back on our thriving relationship, how it all started and where we are now. Indulge me while I spill out my heart.

January 2001. My heart pounded in my chest when I saw that handsome boy with perfect lips and luscious brown hair walk in. You see, I almost missed him because I was busy being somber in the back of the classroom. My parents had just uprooted me midway through my freshman year of highschool without my consent and moved me in to a town I had no desire to be. I was busy thinking about how miserable my life was on my first day at my new school when heaven suddenly came to my aid. That boy made my teenage heart throb. And I knew instantly, just like Noah did with Alli in The Notebook, that "when I see something I want I gotta have it!" Later I would learn that he felt the same way. Well, kinda. Apparently he just noticed that I had nice legs.

Fate was on my side. I learned that he moved in just around the corner from me about 8 houses down. This was good because we would most likely walk home from school the same way. The strategies were brewing in my head. Jared and I not only went to the same school, but to the same church, where I would have the opportunity to see him every morning for a religion class, plus at youth activities in addition to Sunday meetings. Yes, this boy would totally be mine {This is sounding really creepy. I suppose I kinda was a bit obsessive}.

Anyway, as months went by we did "like" each other. I say "like" because although we crushed on each other, we didn't do anything about it besides maybe AIM each other {pre-cellphone era} and tell our friends we liked one another. It was a rule in both our families that we couldn't have a steady boyfriend/girlfriend until we were 16, and since we were 14-15 at this point, we just "hung out." So pointless in retrospect, but at the time just knowing that he publicly liked me was huge.

May 2002. Jared turned 16. He had a sweet 16 party at his house, but even though there were crowds of people there, I felt he gave me special attention as "his girl." It had started to rain and Jared said he would walk me home. As we rounded the corner to my house, we hugged and parted ways. 10 seconds later I heard the sound of feet running in the rain. I turned around and Jared came back to say "I think I love you," gave me a kiss and ran back home. Ummm....yes, that would be my real life and not a scene from a movie.
Oh goodness, I can't believe I'm just to this part of our relationship. For times sake and for your sanity in reading this, let's say we were on and off in our "liking" of each other for a year. Or rather, I was always 100% with him, he being the unsure party.

April 2003. We were at a church youth camp for 3 days. On the first day there was a talent show. In front of 100+ people, Jared did this. Again, on cloud 9. We went to Junior Prom. We broke up 2 weeks later. That was the end of our high school love story, and what I thought would be forever terminated. I was heartbroken. We both dated other people.

2004-2007. I went off to college for 3 years, while Jared stayed local for a year and then went on to serve a 2 year church mission in Mexico. While he was gone I wrote him 4 letters just within the first 6 months he was gone, but after that I never wrote again. I was busy with school and doing the stuff you do in college and he was busy being a missionary.

November 2007. Jared was coming home in 2 months. When I came home for Thanksgiving break, I saw his parents and they told me that Jared was coming home January 3, 2008. Something within me ignited. I was going to see him after 2 years in less than 2 months. When I came back from break, I left Jared's senior highschool picture on my best friend's bed with a note that said "I will make beautiful children with this man someday." She and I both laughed about it, but a part of me hoped it was true. When I came home for Christmas break I was heartbroken to find out that Jared would not be coming home until January 9th - the same day that I was leaving to study abroad in London for a semester. I wouldn't see him for another 5 months. Bummer.

January 9, 2008. I made it to London! I was so proud of myself for navigating all the way from Heathrow to my flat via the tube and bus transfers alone. I looked up at the tall brick building that I would call home for the next 4 months and I was ecstatic to be there! In the bustle and excitement of being in England was still settling in, another part of me was so anxious to call Jared. I was 8 hours ahead of California time. 9pm London time I called from a phonebooth to a number I hadn't dialed in over 2 years. My heart was pounding. A familiar voice picked up. I used up two phone cards that night and I slept with a smile on my face. For the next 4 months we skyped. Jared got a girlfriend like I predicted, but lucky for me it didn't last longer than 6 weeks.

May 2008. I was devastated to be home in states and leave my beloved London town. Atleast there was one good thing waiting for me at home. Jared and I dated for a brief 6 weeks before we were engaged. I had heard my whole life that when you know, you just know. I thought that was the lamest answer until it became true for me. Nothing felt more right, more true, more selfless, more joyful than marrying Jared Oakden.

Today. It's been 3 years and 3 months that we've been married. And two nights ago was our first time in our marriage not seeing each other in that whole time. Obviously being back in our hometown just brings the good times {and some not so good times} coming back to my mind. I told my parents the other night that I feel like a teenager sneaking away to talk to her boyfriend 50 times a day all over again. It's been fun to take Evelyn to some places and think "10 years ago we were just two kids who secretly held hands and now we have this beautiful little girl to call our own with #2 on the way. Life can't get any sweeter!" And I may be biased, but I do believe I make beautiful children with that man :)