Our Story
It all began like your typical love story…punk rock music and subwoofers. It was fall of 2001 and Jenn Critch and I had become pretty good friends and decided to road trip to Idaho. She said we could ride home with this kid from her home town, but she did warn me he’s only 17. She and I took the backseat of his Honda and I worried if it would actually make it there. My first memory of meeting Aaron was sitting with my knees to my chest for a 4 hour drive so he could fit his subwoofer in the backseat because the music’s just not the same without it…right? We stopped for snacks to make the drive a little easier to bear and I guess Aaron noticed the subwoofer wasn’t performing to its optimal subwoofer ability. He asked if anything was on it, and I said “oh just my bag.” He asked me to move it and we enjoyed perfect punk rock the rest of the way. Not the best of first meetings but it gets better.
Throughout the year Aaron and I had some random meetings as he would drop by Jenn’s. He was just that funny kid and that was about it. Fast forward a year to the summer/early fall of 2002 and Aaron’s preparing to leave on his mission for our church, and I’m getting ready for student teaching and then home to South Carolina to be a full time teacher. At least that was the plan. During that late summer I was offered an internship 3 weeks before school started and my mouth said “yes” as my brain was saying “no way!” I sold my contract and moved in with Jenn and Jacki. Aaron hung out there almost everyday so we got to know each other fast. As I got to know him I saw a different side than the first time we met. It seems like all of my friends noticed Aaron was flirting before I did. I just thought he was a typical guy getting ready for his mission, you know wanting a little lovin’ before he left. The first time I noticed he really liked me was when we hung out by ourselves for the first time. I came home from work and no one was there but Aaron so we went to Panda to get food. We hung out for a while alone and I guess he worked his magic. This is the day we officially count as when we started dating. A couple days later was my birthday and Aaron made sure to stop by and give me a gift before heading out to the temple with his family.
This continued for a couple of weeks, with late nights and long talks. Things were getting pretty good, but Aaron hadn’t even held my hand yet so I decided to be the bigger woman and go for it one night. I guess Aaron liked that because later that night he tried to kiss me, and I had to use some kung fu moves to get out of it because, come on, you don’t get a hand hold and kiss in one night! So I gave him the good ol’ kiss on the cheek and went to bed. Apparently, he was devastated because he still teases me about that move. The next day Aaron went with me to a soccer game…just the two of us, after last night–talk about awkward. He told me not to worry about it which made me worry even more. I don’t know if it was the stress of the night before or lack of sleep, but I ran out of my soccer game puking. Way to make a good impression huh? That afternoon and night we went to a concert with some friends which was a long day of fun but gave us no time alone to have that “talk.” I ended up dragging him off to 7-11 that evening to be alone and tell him that I’m not a pre-mission hookup and that I actually like him. As soon as I shutup he kissed me– a gentleman kind of kiss– and then what I wasn’t expecting told me he loved me.
This whole event took place after midnight so it was officially his birthday. What a present! Even though the quick declaration of love threw me for a loop, for the next month we were inseparable. Aaron had me head over heels in love. But we both knew what was coming and it scared us. On October 30th he would go on his mission, and we wouldn’t be able to see or talk to each other for 2 years. Except for a 5 minute phone conversation twice a year. Because of this day approaching so fast we both wanted to talk about our future but really didn’t know how to say what we wanted. We did decide we wanted to get married even though I would be all of 24 years old when he got home. So we had an emotional couple of days before he left…and then on the 30th he was in the MTC. We made it through the two years (thanks to great family and friends) even though it was a long and extremely hard time. We both grew up, and our feelings only got stronger.
When Aaron got home on Nov.2nd (I think?) I didn’t even know he was in the country. He decided to tell me he was coming home on a Friday, even gave me a flight schedule. His Mom set up a meeting with me to discuss Aaron’s homecoming at the airport. Now this was Tuesday and also voting day for the presidency so I was stuck at 5:00 deciding if I go vote or hurry home to be sure I’m on time for Aaron’s mom. I decide to skip the voting (sorry George W). When I get home I notice candle light right away through my sliding glass door. I walk in and there is a trail of roses heading back towards the bedrooms. At the time I have a roommate who’s dating someone so I’m thinking “Great! I’ve got a romantic evening starting in my apartment a few minutes before Aaron’s Mom’s supposed to be here.” As I walk back to my bedroom I notice the roses are heading to my room. I’m still not quite putting two and two together. As I go into my room there are a couple dozen roses around the room, candles, music, and the outline of a body in my bed with a teddy bear on top. My heart races as I realize what this is, so I pull back the covers and…nothing. Just as I start to look around Aaron pops out of my closet and goes down onto one knee. I didn’t really notice what was happening so I just tackle him. A little too excited. I jump back because he’s still in his suit and ask him “Are you still an Elder?” He says no and then gets back down on his knee and proposes. It was an amazing moment. Usually I’m so emotional I would cry at something like this, but I was in such shock over everything that just happened all I could say was “yes!” After that, we were married in six weeks and now we are as happy as can be! My punk rocker proved to be a perfect gentleman and loving hubby. Hope it was sappy enough for you!