By Popular Demand (Part 1)

So what have I spent the majority of my time with the last couple of weeks? Guesses might include studying for finals, going to work, working out-- all of which are true. But the biggest time eater? Planning my wedding.

Yes it is true! I am engaged to a wonderful, wonderful man who treats me so well. His name is Clark.

I know that most people will be clamoring to know the story. But-- they will have to wait, because there will be two stories, and I want Clark's story, not my story, to be the one I tell first. Here's some answers to some FAQ's:

Q.Where did you meet him?

A.Well, he was in my freshman ward about three and a half years ago. We were hardly friends-- just people who brushed shoulders occasionally, which is just as well, because he an I have both changed a lot since freshman year.

Q. When did you start dating?

A. Well here's a good story. Clark had always been a person who had caught my eye-- I had frequently mentioned to my freshman roommates that I thought he looked like a cool fun (and yes, attractive) guy. He went on his mission to Honduras, and we were still friends on Facebook. I contacted him because I wanted to know if he was back at school (he wasn't). Then, every few months or so, we would talk on Facebook. I randomly bumped into him at General Conference, and we talked for five minutes. Then over Christmas, he and I were just super bored-- and we talked for long times--- eventually setting up a date to see a movie, which we saw on New Year's Eve when he and I were finally in the same town. I like him right off the bat. Clark needed some convincing, but after a month of casual dating and hanging out, we decided to become exclusive.

Q. What do you like about him?

A. Clark is a very sincere person, and very honest. His deliberate nature makes him thoughtful and careful. But what I like best about him is that he has never once been unkind to me, and he is so friendly to others. Another thing I love is that he is constantly working to better himself-- especially in his faith in the Lord. He listens to me when I talk, and puts up with my emotional side. I also love him because he loves me and tries to make me happy.

Q. When are you getting married?

A. September 1, 2012. In the Salt Lake Temple.

Q. Are you excited?

A. To be married to Clark Allen forever? Ummmm... yes.

and so folks... you may stay tuned for part 2... forthcoming at Clark's leisure.

You Are A Tall Glass Of Water

For my roommate's birthday, we decided to go out to eat. Our destination: Cranky Chucky's. Actually the full restaurant name is King Dave and Cranky Chucky's. We thought it would be like-- a delicious hole in the wall restaurant, given the outside appearance and the name. One that served greasy burgers and thick-cut fries.

We walked in to a place with natural stone rock work, nice wooden tables covered with dark blue linen table cloths, cloth napkins, and foot-tall water glasses made of real glass. The menus weren't covered in plastic and didn't have pictures of the food on them.

I ordered a dijoinaisse stuffed burger, cooked from ground steak, to medium-well. It was served on a toasted sourdough bun-without ketchup. We order a plate of nachos-- made of homemade cut chips, a cheesy peppercorn sauce, corn, tomatoes, and fresh-grilled pineapple. In short, the food was phenomenal.

If the food wasn't enough, the service was better. Dave served us-- as in the Dave from the restaurant title. His manner was casual and teasing. We told him we had a birthday-girl at the table, and he gave ample congratulations. Our water glasses were always more than half full, he gave us an extra-plate of bread, and did not throw to-go boxes at us, but cleared our left-overs and handed us the boxes with our checks. Because I offered to pay for the nachos, my check was two-dollars less (as a best friend bonus, he said), and because it was Kristyn's birthday, she only paid half price for her dinner.

To top it off, he brought us a delicious molten brownie, because of the birthday, with berry-flavored ice-cream and fresh strawberries. It was the most delicious brownie I ever ate in my life.

Suffice it to say, I think I found a new favorite place to eat.

We left a large tip.

Lost At Sea

okay okay, I know, I know that some times I can be a worrier. A biggish kind of worrier. And even though a small (maybe bean sized) part of me deep down knows that all of my worries are irrational, that bean holds up a giant who owns a bird that lays golden eggs. Most of the time, after I have been worried about something and everything turns out fine, I feel sheepish. A little embarrassed. And I hate that feeling. But, when I start worrying again, I forget about how sheepish I could feel later.

Take last Saturday for instance.

7:00 AM: "Yay, Clark gets home today!"

3:45 PM: "Hmm, Clark should be almost back by now. Did he say he'd be back by four?... yes, he did. I'm positive."

4:01 PM: "Am I sure it was four?... yes. It was four. Well, I'll give it like, twenty nine more minutes. That way if things are late, or if his phone is dead, or if they have to clean-up/un-pack, it'll leave time for that."

4:15 PM: sends text :: Are you alive?::

5:03 PM: paces throughout the apartment. Sara calls. "Hey, you still wanna get together tonight?" ... "Yes, I do. I'm going crazy in this apartment all alone."

5:35 PM: "Well, I remember him saying he'd definitely be home by six. Maybe the bus is late or something. Maybe they got a late start. There's no reason to assume anything is wrong."

5:37 PM: "But what if something is wrong?"

6:01 PM: "Well, if he was back by six, maybe he quickly went over to the meeting-- that should be over by eight. I'll wait until eight to thoroughly freak out."

6:25: "Why isn't it eight yet?"

8:15: Calls Clark's phone. Goes to voicemail.

8:25: Calls Clark's phone. Rings and then goes to voicemail.

8:27: Calls Clark's roommates phone. "Is he home?"... "Yes, he is."... "He's home and didn't tell me?!?" (feelings of injustice and sheepishness simultaneously ensue). "Please slap him for me."

Roommate complies.

8:43: "I feel awful about freaking out! Why do I always freak out?" Calls Clark. "I'm sorry! I was just worried."

9:32: Clark arrives on doorstep with flowers, kettle-corn and a movie.

And you wonder why I missed him?