07.30.10

July 30th 2010 was the start of a new life for me and MacKay! We have been so busy with everything, but as I was sick today, I wanted to update our blog on what has been happening! On the day before our wedding, I got my endowments out in the Provo Temple. This temple had special meaning to MacKay, as he worked as a veil worker for a year there. It was even cooler when he was able to take me through. It was a very special moment I will forever remember. It was an emotional day, lots to take in, but over all it was one of the best days of my life. We took some pictures after the session and then took off for Goodwood BBQ with our families to eat. After we ate, we said goodbye to everyone and headed back to Ephraim. We had a big day ahead of us and needed lots of sleep! I had a plan to wake up really early to shower and take me time getting ready by myself at my apartment, however I guess the Lord knew I would need more sleep. My alarm didn't go off. I woke up, luckily, at about 6. I was so stressed as I had no one there to help me get ready, and I had a hair appointment at 7. I called my mom frantically for help, who was staying at a local hotel. The Lord mush have been preparing her, as he knew I would need her help. She had been awake not able to sleep. She came over in a second and blow dried and straightened my hair after my shower as I did my make up. MacKay being the sweetheart he is called me to wish me a happy morning before we got married and realized I was frantic, as my car did not have gas to go to my appointment, he came over, very calm and happy, took the car to get gas and gave me a kiss as I whisked off to my hair appointment! The day, starting at my hair appointment, turned to a wonderful day! My stylist did a great job of relaxing me as soon as she saw me stressed! I left with my beautiful hair done, and a smile, calmly driving back to get a good breakfast. MacKay picked me up and we were off to the temple for our wonderful day. All our family was at the temple before us, as MacKay had a surprise for me! He took me to the south side of the temple, below the hill, and pulled me out of the truck, with me still asking questions as to why we were stopping. He simple told me, "I just want to get a picture of us and the temple before we go in." I smiled and was ready to take the picture. That's when I realized we didn't have a camera, mine had recently broke! He saw my bewildered look as I stared at the camera I had been begging him to get for our honeymoon. I had givin up weeks ago, knowing we didn't have the money for a new camera. He was just beaming, as I jumped on him! What a start to a wonderful life! We went into the temple where we were taken from each other. I just wanted to see him again! Well that came shortly. Everything went just as I had always hoped it would and more. It was a beautiful ceremony. I had tears in my eyes as I stared at my family, my new family, my old and new friends. Our sealer was wonderful, and I was lost in the moment I guess you could say. I didn't ever want to leave! Well it ended and we were to go change and meet again to see everyone outside. We had to wait for everyone to get changed before MacKay and I could head out. As we sat on some couches just beaming, out came a herd of my Dad's side of the family. My dad decided he wanted to get a tour to see the spiral stair case! Everyone followed, so did MacKay and I. (: I just kept saying, Mom is going to kill me! Well we finally got to go out and see everyone outside! It was so fun to see all my close friends, and my brother who couldn't be inside. I was having a ball seeing everyone. We then filed to our spot to take pictures! That took so long, yet it was amazing! I can't wait to see them! My cousin Tia is an amazing photographer! I have been so happy with her work! I will recommend her to everyone with no complaints! Even if she hadn't been my cousin I would have picked her to be our photographer! We got to go to MacKay's Fire station and take pictures by the firetruck! I can't wait for those pictures. We went from there to our new house and took pictures of him carrying me in the door! It was a blast. We then hurried and packed the car to go to the luncheon. Which we were late for! But it was amazing food. Laura, his mom did an amazing job of cooking all the food, and setting up too! It was amazing. After that we got to head to Park City for the night! Our Hotel was amazing. I was just wide eyed and mouth open upon arrival! They had valet parking, and inside was amazing! We were told we somehow had a free breakfast up to $100. I was in shock. When we arrived at our motel it was amazing! It had 2 bathrooms, 3 TV's a kitchen, and just so much stuff! It was amazing. The next morning we headed to our reception in my home town; Cokeville Wyoming. When we finally arrived after getting lost twice, we make it for the family lunch, and onto my hair appointment. The reception turned out amazing. I was thrilled at how many people came. Even my favorite teacher in high school who had moved was able to come! I was so excited to see Mr. Krause come through the door! Our Honeymoon was amazing! I will have to tell about that in another post! MacKay should be home soon and I need to get dinner going! (: Thank you to all of those who were able to make it! It meant so much to us! MacKay & Shan.

Our Story.

MacKay and I met at college in 2008. My first semester, his second. We happened to be in the same religious institute class. We went through the whole semester without talking, other than the occasional small talk. My second semester he found me on Facebook (yes facebook...) and asked if he could have my number so he could call and ask me on a date sometime. At first I thought it was a bit weird that he went all semester without asking me out, yet he got the guts on Facebook? Weird right? But the last sentence caught my eye;

"I was wondering if I could have your number to call and ask you out sometime."

Hmm, is this a Modern-day kind of Classy?? Sure, I'll take it!

 

Well needless to say, he called I said yes, and walah! It was a done deal. Wedding bells anyone?

 

Not quite...

 

However, that date was the start of many. I was dating other people at the time not to mention having one of those complicated waiting-for-a-missionary-but-not-waiting-for-a-missionary relationships. So I didn't allow myself to like him more than a friend. I was a young-un' at the tender age of 18. I was NOT looking to get married. I was NOT going to get married. I was not...

 

 He was also dating others, not looking for anything serious. But what can I say, I am a pretty great catch....

 

Hardly... I am one of those roller coaster kind of people. You know the one that can go from insanely happy one minute to cranky the next? Ya that's me. Let's just say I put him through the ringer. Come to think of it, I am not entirely sure how I snagged him...

 

ANYWAY, you will understand a little bit of how I put through the ringer in a minute.

 

  He got me a job working with him and we saw more and more of each other. I started dating someone and he started dating someone, yet we stayed friends. I considered him one of my best friends. I knew he wanted a little more than friendship, but he read my signs and didn't push things. Little did he or anyone know I was only avoiding him to avoid a serious relationship. (it made sense at the time...) I knew him well enough that I knew he had a lot of the qualities I was looking for in a husband. Therefore I avoided the "serious relationship" and was content with the "best friends stage". Well as MacKay had just about given up on ever dating me, I started realizing what I was about to lose. When I saw him for the first time after the summer of 2009 I missed him.  All of the sudden I started to open up to the possibilities of dating him.  He had no idea of the change of heart. I realized I was done for when I saw pictures on his Facebook with another beautiful girl. And I was jealous. JEALOUS! I had known he was dating others, but I had never really SEEN him with them. That's what did it. I was crushed. I jumped in with both feet and told him how I felt. Things were crazy for a while as he juggled the decision of either finally dating me after all this time, or dating this other girl.  

 

"Is she really serious, or is this a game?"  Well we finally decided to give it a go!

 As we started dating, I started getting cold feet. There were so many things I was scared about. I was terrified of Marriage. Marriage is HARD. I had no illusions of how it would be. I knew he was one I would completely fall for if I let myself, and I wasn't sure I was ready for that.

I remember telling my best friends that I was scared because I had to decide if I really wanted to work toward marriage, as I could see it going to this with MacKay. How do I know if he is "The One" the Lord wants me to be with?? Then there was the Missionary from high school that I was still wondering in the back of my head if that would work. After a Blessing from my Dad, writing to the Missionary about some big decisions and questions, and lots of praying and fasting. Many weeks later (Bless MacKay's patient heart) I decided a few things. First if the man I want to marry is a worthy male, and I am a worthy woman, we can make a marriage work with hard work and dedication. After realizing this, I realized I could PICK. I was waiting for my prayers to be answered with a name. Instead I needed to make a decision if I wanted to pick him or not.

 

I have to be honest with you, at first I decided "Not right now"(the cop-out answer) I will wait a few months for said missionary to come home and THEN make my decision. I can't tell you how sick I was about the decision after I started thinking how I was going to tell MacKay. The words wouldn't come. I was so sick. I remember sitting in my apartment room, when my best friend came in with an ensign article from my Church. The article was called "Making the Marriage Decision." I read it over and over and it was suddenly so clear to me. Never in my life had an answer been so clear. I could pick him. I could pick  MacKay. And I realized I WANTED to pick him. I didn't want anyone else. Ever.

 

I was elated! Through all the madness it was all going to be worth it.

That's when I fell. It took us a lot longer to get engaged, but I knew I couldn't live without him. Even if I WAS young. I didn't care anymore. What was more important was being with him for the rest of forever. I'm happy about my choice, and love him more than life itself! Life is simply boring without him.