A Funny Story From When We Were Dating

Our first date was December 3rd.
This story takes place on December 4th. Bubba told me that since he came up with the first date, it was only fair that I come up with the second. Fair enough.
I wanted to go sledding and this is where my first problem came up: it was a balmy 70 degrees that day. So no snow and no sledding. However, I also missed going ice blocking. It was a plan. I picked Bubba up and we were off with towels in tow and we went on a search for some blocked ice.

Problem #2: VA is a non believer in blocked ice. We went to gas station after gas station and store after store. And finally we found blocks of ice at a Kroger.

Problem #3: It was dry ice.

Problem #4: we bought it anyway. We were determined to go ice blocking. And it sorta worked. We wrapped our towels around so as not to get burned (which I did anyway on my thigh) and Bubba's broke under his weight. We took the remains back of the hill in front of Main Hall and then wondered what to do with dry ice. We  noted the fishpond.

Problem #5: there were fish in the fish pond. I did a quick google search to see if it would hurt them and many an online fish forum later I declared that they would be unharmed. So we looked around to make sure no one would see and we dropped the dry ice in the fish pond. It started doing it's cool dry ice thing and then this guy came out of nowhere and asked us if that was dry ice. When we said yes he turned away and started power-walking away...Bubba and I looked at each other and ran before someone else came by. Safe inside Jonzzey's cafe we sat down and laughed about this disastrous 2nd date. I apologized since this had been my idea but he just smiled and said that after football's study hall he wanted me to come watch a movie with him.

I don't remember what we watched. But I do remember that we were very close together on the couch because there were 2 offensive linemen sharing it with us. I didn't care though. He didn't hold my hand or even put his arm around me. I can't even say that was Problem #6 though. Because the other thing I remember was this feeling of happy. And it still hasn't left.

The Best Day Ever.

We loved our wedding. We both think of it as the happiest of days. Everything was perfect. But all the planning aside, the thing that made it the most perfect was the peace of the temple ceremony. I've never been happier than I was in that room, surrounded by the people I love the most, kneeling across the altar from my best friend and making a promise of forever. And as it turns out, the best day ever for us is really everyday spent together.

For your viewing pleasure...thanks to Linsey Orton for capturing the best agreement we've ever made.

This Is The One Where I Start From The Very Beginning.

So one time I worked in the Admissions dept. of SVU with my best friend. And one time we were sitting in our office with one of our coworkers and I was asked, "So, Laura, who are you going to date this year?" It was a joke...kind of. Our coworker jumped in and said, "I know who you should date! I'm his Admissions Counselor! He plays football and his name is Bubba!"
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"Hahahaha! Oh right! Okay!" I actually cried from laughing so hard. Some Southern hick named Bubba is coming to SVU to play football. That was literally what was going through my head. And then I saw his football profile. Dang boy. DANG.

And then I saw him in real life. DAAAAANG. Seriously? He said hi to me and I could NOT respond. And I couldn't say anything for months. Which was okay because he had a pretty serious girlfriend back home. So I went about my semester, singing in our A Cappella group and going on lots of first dates.

This Bubba guy was always really friendly even though we never said more than "hey," and "how's it goin?" Basically it was one of those wow-he's-really-cute-and-now-engaged-so-I-literally-have-no-shot kind of things. And that was okay.

And then he heard me sing. He came to our fall semester concert and according to him and his buddies, when I started singing Bubba said, "I think I'm in love...I'm gonna marry her." Joking, obviously.

A little after that night we got to sing The National Anthem at an NBA game. Wizards v. Spurs. That experience led me to have a more than 3 word conversation with Bubba...via our mutual friends Rex, and Michael (Thanks guys, I owe you that one). Added him on Facebook. And the first thing I see is a status. He called off his engagement. And about 75 girls from SVU had liked it. Classy...So I messaged him. On Facebook. Classy some more.

I made a point to not say anything that was an eager invitation. Because even though my heart was pounding, all I wanted to give was my sympathy. I walked from class to the cafe right after I sent it and there he was eating! Panicked. But I sat by him and he told me he had just read my message. And he thanked me. And then I went back to my dorm where I saw a response.

What a compliment from someone I didn't even know. I couldn't believe that someone who I was convinced was the nicest stranger in the world had noticed me. I got back to him later that night to which he replied again, asking for my number.

My heart pounded as I rushed to type. I gave him my number and ran in circles around my dorm.

I couldn't handle what was happening. But I couldn't stop looking at my phone. He texted me shortly thereafter and we texted back and forth. At the end of our conversation, he asked me out.

His thought process: Wow, I have spent this whole semester playing football, going to school, and not meeting new people. Laura is a well known person on campus and she could introduce me to even more awesome people (his words).

Translation: Laura=the gateway date...

My thought process: Wow, I can't believe I have a date with him. Please let me be not too weird.

Translation: Laura=a nervous and excited and somewhat hopeful wreck

The date went down in early December. And it was so weirdly natural. We had no awkwardness and it felt like we'd known each other for forever. We talked and found out more about each other as we made baked s'mores that we then dropped off at various doors. Secret Santa for the win. He had work at the library so we called it an early night which I think we were both disappointed about. He dropped me off and gave me a quick hug goodnight.

I knew I liked him. A lot. And it scared me. I was shaking. I didn't want to fall for this guy too fast. I started crying because I was so nervous that I was getting in too deep too soon. I dropped to my knees and prayed harder than I ever have. Ever. I asked God (I actually kinda demanded...) to tell me if this guy was worth it. And I immediately felt peace. Just so warm and I knew this was gonna be good.

Which also scared me.

I texted Bubba and thanked him for the date and told him how excited I was to marry him.

JUST KIDDING. I'm not that crazy.

I did thank him for the wonderful date and mentioned my interest in spending more time with him. 

And he reciprocated. I later learned that his buddies were at the library waiting for him to tell all. His words: we had a good time. She's actually a lot cooler than I thought. 

I'm going to insert that what he obviously meant is that he was already aware of my coolness and was just even more astounded when he was with me one on one. Obviously...

His buddies asked him if he'd texted me. They then began to debate whether he should text me or wait for me to text him. It was during this debate that I did in fact, text him. And there was much rejoicing throughout the land. Our second date was the next day. Our third was later that evening. And we just never stopped dating.

So that's how this all started. And it just keeps getting better and better! To read about our wedding day click here!

The Proposal: A Tale of Party Crashing and Purple Balloons

Gather round, this is a good one.

We were in Utah staying with my family having just travelled from Phoenix where I met and fell in love with his family. So I was hoping he'd like mine just as much. Granted my family situation is a little more complicated but I had nothing to fear. He loves all of my families and they all love him. He met my closest friends and gained their approval almost instantaneously. But seriously, what's not to love? He's Bubba.

The night before the proposal he kissed me goodnight and I went to bed. He went to talk to my father. For 3 hours. His asking to marry me was about 5 minutes worth of the entire conversation. And then my mom wanted to talk to him. After. While talking about potential dates Bubba mentioned that he and I had talked about December. My dad decided that since we had a week in August between EFY sessions ending and football beginning we should get married then. It was May. So that gave us almost 3 months to plan a wedding. Thanks Dad.

The following morning, I helped myself to breakfast and my dad came in and said, "Oh good morning Laura Elizabeth, just so you know...I had a very interesting discussion with Bruce Daniel (he has a thing with first and middle names. It's a Southern thing) last night. And I wasn't supposed to tell you." And then he left. Cool dad.

So I knew it was going to happen. I just didn't know when. And I didn't know how. Thankfully Bubba knows me well enough to know what I would and wouldn't like. Like a big surprise. He learned that the hard way by throwing me a surprise party for my 21st birthday. But that's another funny story for another funny time.

So the day continued without a lot of activity on my part. I was starting to feel sick and so I basically slept the day away. I had no idea that Bubba was running errands and calling my friends. My mom woke me up saying that Bubba had mentioned taking me out on a date and that I should "probably look presentable." So I showered got ready and walked out the door with the man of my dreams. I had a pretty good idea where this night was headed. And I couldn't wait to get started.

We had sushi for dinner and ice cream for dessert, we laughed and talked and joked the way we always do. I'll admit, I ate extra carefully. I've always been scared that if my soon to be fiance decided to hide the ring in anything edible that I'd eat it.

Because food is good and I love food. 

Thankfully my man is a man who is smart enough to not put a ring in an ice cream cone or a California Roll. Afterward, we walked around Riverwoods and Bubba mentioned the beautiful twinkle lights and gestured to a bench. We sat and I wondered if maybe this was going to be the night but didn't say anything in case it wasn't. Then Bubba started to lean over and eventually went to one knee!

And he tied his shoe.

He really did. I was disappointed but Bubba didn't seem to notice. He asked if I wanted to go for a drive. Which I did.

We drove toward Rock Canyon Park, where I was practically raised. I had shown it to him earlier that week and he knew it was a special spot for me. As we drove up the road I pointed out the party that was going on near the lowest pavilion. This is the following dialogue.

L: "Oh look! Someone's having a party!"

B: "Lucky them! Would you like to have a party?"

L: "Um Yes!"

B: "Okay. I'll keep that in mind."

L: "Bubba look! They have balloons!"

B: "Would you like balloons?"

L: "Oh you know I would!"

See this is the part where I should have picked up some sort of cue but this is the one part that I completely missed. So we parked up at the top near the playground and started walking down the hill. Toward the party.

L: "Bubba! Where are we going?"

B: "You'll see!"

L (with growing suspicion): "But we're heading toward that party, and it's rude to crash parties!"

B: "I think it'll be okay, let's go check it out!"

L (it starts to click and she starts to panic): "Bubba...Bubba...is this my party?"

B: "Mayyyybeee...."

L starts shaking and has to stop to take her shoes off because of the steepness of the hill and starts crying and saying: "Oh no. Oh my gosh. Oh no no no no."

B laughs and takes her hand and leads her to what in fact is her party.

Bubba had been in touch with my friend Demarie and she had gathered a small group together. My closest friends from high school were there holding a poster that said, "Laura, will you marry me?" I completely lost it and Bubba knelt down. I don't remember exactly the words he used but the question on the poster was at least five of them. And I said yes.

I got to crash my own party, I got my balloons, I was able to hug and laugh with my old friends, I got to wear my grandmother's ring for the first time, and most importantly I got to answer the easiest question and the promise my best friend that he was going to be my best friend forever. And that makes for a pretty perfect day.