I have decided to include Our Love Story on my blog, because it almost Valentine's Day but mostly because I have been thinking a lot about the last 5 1/2 (that includes dating) years together and how much things have changed.
Sooo many things have changed. The places we thought we would be, the things we thought we would have, etc. Life is never what you plan on, is it? But, really...I LOVE IT THAT WAY. Life really is beautiful and God's plan is even more beautiful. How grateful I am to Him for planning Connel into my life! So, here is our love story...Today, I will use the words from
that I made him a few years ago...this is highlights from our dating and engagement story, later this week I will post about our wedding day (which I have never written down and really need to).
A Dream Come True
Our Love Story
By Laura Petterson
Dedicated to my husband Connel
Thank you for making all my dreams come true!
"Every road that I've been down
The only truth that I have found
There's only one thing
I can't live without
You"
(Rascal Flatts, You)At First Glance
The first time that I saw Connel, it was in a dance class at BYU-Idaho. He was really good looking and I thought he looked a little familiar. I asked a girl in our class what his name was. She told me his name was Connel, my maiden name, and my interest was sparked a little more. But then she went on to say that she had already claimed him as her own!
Connel didn't really notice me at first (let's just say he had a few other girls falling in his footsteps). But, one day our friend Kevin was talking to him and saying some really good things about me. Connel asked if Kevin was going to date me and Kevin said no. Well, that was that, Connel decided that he would ask me out, he couldn't just pass up the perfect girl! :)
Our First Date
Connel asked me to go to the Ice Caves, north of Rexburg, on our first date. It was actually a really hard decision for me. Only because I was going to be missing country dancing night! But after a little sweet talking from Connel, I decided to go with him. He told me to dress in something warm that could get dirty. When he came to the door, he asked me if I was wearing that to the Ice Caves. It was the outfit I had planned on but obviously it was not suitable, so I said, "Oh...I um...haven't changed yet." so I wouldn't embarrass myself. I don't remember much about the caves but I do remember that Connel bumped his head on a rock and I felt so bad for him. On the way home, Connel kept asking me question after question. They ranged from, "What is your biggest dream?" to "What is your favorite food?" I wasn't sure what he thought about all my answers but I wasn't very hopeful, after all, when he dropped me off he gave me a "side hug". Pretty much a polite signal for "Thanks for the date, but I probably won't be asking you out again." But to my surprise...
...a second date! He and his buddies had planned an awesome surprise. Little did they know that me and the other girls had peeked under the blanket and seen part of our surprise.. a TV??? On the way there Connel kept telling funny stories about his family and times when he had gotten stuck in the snow. I was beginning to realize that he was really animated! I thought he was so cute and funny. When we got past the dry farms above Rexburg, I decided that he was really creative too! The boys had planned a Beef Stew dinner cooked in the back of a truck, country dancing in the moonlight and a movie underneath the stars. The package even included a couple of old couches! During the time that Connel and I were talking and hanging out with the other couples, I put my hand on the edge of the truck bed. All of the sudden, I felt Connel's hand reach up and grab mine. Then, just as quick as he had placed it there, he jerked it away! Later he told me that he had surprised himself by doing that. He said that it was almost a reaction and he never held hands with a girl until he knew he wanted to be serious.
We continued to date a little and we had some fun ones. I planned a date where we made a campfire and roasted hot dogs with another couple. I didn't know I would impress him so much with a campfire, and he really liked it when I tried to chop the firewood. We also continued to country dance every Wednesday and Thursday even though Connel wasn't that good at it, he still tried hard and I still thought he was great for trying so hard to impress me with his moves.
Our Sunrise
One of my favorite and one of Connel's most creative dates was when he took me up to "R" hill west of Rexburg to watch the sunrise. We woke up at 5 am and drove out to the hill. We hiked and reached the top just as the sun broke through the clouds. It was beautiful! Later, Connel took me out to breakfast and then helped me pack the remainder of my things into the car. Connel hugged me and held my face so close to his I thought he might kiss me, but he didn't. He just told me he would miss me and then I drove away. I thought that he would get snatched up by the first girl that came his way. But, the Lord had something better in mind.
Connel continued to call me while I lived in St. George. It just so happened that Connel had a roommate, Josh, who was engaged to a girl, Shalona, that was going to school in St. George. Josh and Shalona would meet at least every other weekend at their homes in Spanish Fork and Payson, Utah! If you tell me that the Lord did not his hand in that one, I'd definetly say different. So, every time that they would meet, so would Connel and I. The first time that we met up, we went and watched "The Testaments" a movie made by the church. Then we went and took pictures of Josh and Shalona in front of temples. Well, they decided that Connel and I needed a few pictures... I was panicking, I barely knew him and we were getting our picture in front of a temple!
Connel had another fun surprise planned out for this trip. He took me out to a park in Payson to go for a walk. Connel was told two different directions to the same park. So, he went to the "first" park and decided that it wasn't good enough, then he drove to the "second" park and sat there for a minute confused. Then I said, "I think this is the same park." and it was! So, we got out and walked around for a minute. We talked and walked and got to know each other more. Then he started dancing with me in the middle of the park! It was so romantic and I thought I was in heaven. Then, he leaned in...and kissed me on the cheek!!! What a tease! Connel told me later that my eyes were going back and forth from his lips to his eyes at top speed. He knew that I wanted him to kiss me, but he didn't do it!
Our First Kiss!!!
When were were getting ready to leave that weekend, Connel walked me out to my parents suburban. I put all my bags away, then turned around. We talked a little and then... he went for it. He finally kissed me! I didn't even see it coming so I wasn't really ready for it! He kissed me twice then we said goodbye. Even though it was a little awkward and unexpected...It was the perfect kiss!
I LOVE YOU.
Connel came down for a dance at Dixie College in St. George. He got to meet my family and my family thought he was great. My mom even said that he was darling. While we were talking and listening to music over at Shalona's apartment that day, Connel leaned over and said to me, "I think I am falling in love with you." I just sat there stunned for a minute and I didn't say anything. I really thought about it for a minute then I said back to him. "I love you too." It was a really great night to be together with him. We were in total bliss.
Connel is a very creative guy and is always doing cute little surprises for me. One day in Utah, he took me on a hike in the mountains. We walked through some woods and over some little creeks. As we got closer to our destination I could hear water like there was a river or something. We rounded a corner and there I saw a pretty little waterfall in a rocky cove. Connel had a picnic ready and we ate and took some pictures there by the waterfall. Then, we hiked back and then he drove down to a little lake where we talked about our future a little bit just spent time together. He is such a romantic!
For Christmas, Connel and I both wanted to surprise one another with homemade gifts. I made Connel a quilt and Connel made me a beautiful mirror. With the mirror he included the following written on a pink heart. "When you look into this mirror I hope you see all of the wonderful qualitites that I see in you." Love, Connel
For Valentine’s Day we went to meet Connel’s family. Since we were going to be gone with them on Valentine’s Day, I decided to do a little surprise for Connel for a change. My roommates Jana and Elise helped me to decorate Connel’s jeep with balloons, confetti, lipstick kisses on the window and tons of little cut out hearts that included a different reason why I loved him on each one. We went in the middle of the night and with it, I left an invitation to have dinner at my apartment. I ordered a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy’s and we drank sparkling cider and then ate my specialty Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Cake. It was really fun, and Connel was really surprised!
On Valentine’s Day, we were with Connel’s family. I thought Connel was going to forget that is was Valentine’s Day because he hadn’t said anything all day. At the end of the day, Connel brought me a bag of Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses and a pack of sweethearts with a cute note. I was still a little disappointed that the day wasn’t more special, but on the way home I heard the song “Valentine” by Martina McBride and listening to the words, “…you’re all I need my love, my valentine…” I realized that Connel was all that I needed.
Connel and I continued to date, we dated for 9 months and we had a great time getting to know one another and love one another even more. We went camping, fishing, rode snowmobiles, hung out with friends and of course went country dancing every week. During the times we were together and even the times we were apart, I came to realize what a wonderful and sweet guy Connel really was. I wrote him the following poem and gave it to him with a collection of songs that reminded me of him and our relationship.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to say
the way I feel in words.
It seems like every time I try
I end up sounding like a nerd.
So please forgive me if at times
this sounds a little stupid.
Just remember people act like fools
when they’ve been hit by cupid.
We’ve done so much together
in the short times that we’ve spent.
They have come to be so special to me,
I want to tell you what they’ve meant.
I want you to know that you are more
than a girl could ever dream.
You treat me like a princess, no wait…
You treat me like a queen.
I love that when I’m with you
I don’t have to play pretend.
I can just be myself and know that
you will love me in the end.
One thing that means so much to me
Is that you show so much respect.
You are such a gentleman,
Something I usually don’t expect.
Everyone seems to love you
And it is no surprise,
Because you show your love to everyone,
It’s genuine, you put on no disguise.
You are extremely handsome!
Oh! I could go on forever!
About your face, your eyes, your smile.
Wow…life couldn’t be better!
You’re always extremely thoughtful,
You always show you care.
You are so energetic and lively,
to you, no one can compare.
You’re dedicated and successful
In every little thing you do.
That is something else that
I Admire about you.
You make me laugh all the time,
That is something that I treasure.
Your happiness and love for life
Is far beyond measure.
When I dance with you
I fit perfectly in your arms.
You start to dance with me
And I see all your charm!
You encourage me to live my dreams
and you reach so high for your own.
I can feel that you love me so much,
Even when we’re just talking on the telephone!
There’s one more thing about you that
Plays a real big part.
Your testimony of the gospel
Is something that touched my heart!
You show in every action that
You love your Heavenly Father.
You believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
And you worship no other.
The things about it is I want you to know that
I LOVE YOU!
I want to be my best
because I get the best from you!
So This is Love
In April of 2003, Connel took me down to Idaho Falls. He talked about eternal families and then he told me that he wanted to marry me and be with me for the rest of eternity. For the rest of the evening, we went and looked at engagement rings.
One evening he and a few of his friends planned a date, I thought he was planning a date for his cousin Danny, so I was mad when Connel told me to go home and work on my homework. When Connel came to pick me up I was kind of in a bad mood, because I had been left out of the planning and the fun. So on the drive to Moose Lake I didn't really talk to Connel, I just sort of stared out the window and sulked. When we arrived at the lake, Connel aslked me what was wrong, when I told him, he kind of smiled and said, "Well, I promise that the rest of the night will be better."
We went out in some canoes and we paddled around for about an hour and talked about our future. During this time, I did not know that the rest of the couples had gone back to shore. As Connel subtly paddled toward the opposite shore, we bumped into it. I took my paddle and began to push off. Connel suddenly exclaimed, "Uh...I have to pee!" So we left the canoe and walked to the top of the hill. As we reached the top Connel stopped me and looked me straight in the eyes. He said some romantic things and then got down on one knee. I then realized that the whole night was really planned for me! Connel pulled the ring box from his jacket pocket and opened it to show...nothing?!?! For a minute we panicked, but then found the ring in the back corner of the ring box. Whew! He placed it on my finger, and asked me to be his wife forever. I then shouted, "I'm getting married!"
We paddled back to the other side of the lake to find the best surprise of all...a band playing country music and a candlelit Dutch oven dinner for two, right next to the campfire. I definitely knew this was the man that would make all my dreams come true!
Connel and I were sealed for time and all eternity on June 18, 2004 in the Idaho Falls Temple.
I know that no matter what we do and no matter where we are in life, Connel will be the one who always and forever makes my dreams come true!
It's totally cheesy and cutesy, but what love story doesn't have it's cheesy parts??
I also love 6:oo---when I get to go home and see Connel.
"Don't judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins." (Walk Two Moons- by Sharon Creech) SUCH a great book, I love it!
