Today is for lovers

It has been [almost] six years since I met Mike. I was quickly drawn to him because of his work ethic and love for the gospel and family; his ability to keep me on my toes; and his curly red hair that I will never take for granted. We spent the first few years of knowing each other as just friends, but it was a rapid switch to more than friends as I got to know him better after his mission.

A fun story I like to remember from the early dating days was our first kiss. We were out on a date and the whole date we had been cuddling and holding hands and having the best date ever. When it came time for him to drop me back off at my apartment he came in for the kill and I totally chickened out. I quickly pulled away and said, "you should come in and meet my roommates!" HAHA. So, he came in and threw a smile on his face but I could tell he was bugged. After small talk with everyone (and I had to give myself a silent pep talk) I offered to walk him back outside. Once outside of the door he pulled me into a hug and pushed me (sweetly not aggressively) against the railing on the stoop of my apartment and kissed me real good. It was not your typical first kiss.. it was HOT. Call me biased. I am glad he was assertive and went after it!

I am so grateful for the last four years we have spent together. Mike has loved me unconditionally even in the moments I have been unlovable. He has taught me to never give up, to serve, to be patient, and to be more easy going. We have overcome some hard things in the last few years, and I am so grateful he has been by my side- sometimes fighting for me, sometimes dragging me through, and sometimes cheering me on.  He is everything I could have wanted in a companion and a best friend.

As we approach the end of another pregnancy and welcome another baby to our family while he is still pushing his way through school, he hasn't been scared, stressed, or worried. He has been trusting. Trusting of a plan that we are trying to obediently follow. He has been full of faith. And he has been so excited. That is the guy I married, and I am so glad I did! His strength and peaceful perspective have been the biggest help to me during this pregnancy.

Today I hope he knows how much I love, respect, and adore him! I am so grateful he is my husband and the father to our girls! May we all take the time to appreciate those we love today and everyday!

I sure love my feisty ginger. Happy Valentines Day!
Brookeydee

Happy Valentines Day / Our love story

Mike and I met on April 17, 2013. We were serving missions in the New York New York North mission. It was Mike's first day in the field and we had a dinner appointment with members in the ward with our entire district. Mike claims that he saw me walk in and thought that I was cute and got distracted and spilled ketchup on himself or something. He also claims that I did not give him the time of day when we were introduced. I honestly remember nothing of this night. I had just received a new companion to train and I was only 6 weeks into the mission and I was feeling overwhelmed at the time.

My first real memory of Mike was on a Saturday a few weeks later, the ward leaders had asked all 8 of the missionaries in our ward to perform a musical number in church. So we got together to practice. Somehow Mike managed to sit next to me (I have to give him credit for always trying to get my attention) and I remember us getting to know each other. I asked him questions about his family, his upbringing, and his plans for school after the mission, etc. I remember him telling me he wrestled in HS and that was cool because my younger brother wrestled too and I loved watching it. I also remember him telling me he was the oldest of eight kids (crazy!!) and that he wanted to be a pilot. We served in that area together for 12 weeks and came to be great friends.

Side note- I had a high school boyfriend that I thought I was for sure going to marry when I returned home from my mission. So that combined with the fact we were serving as missionaries, I was NOT flirting with Elders or looking for a spouse.

In early February of 2014, my health complications got pretty severe and it was necessary for me to return home a few months early to get an urgent heart surgery. I was transferred into Mike's area again for 1 day before I came home. Nobody knew I was going home the next day. Mike and his companion came to the transfer meeting to help me and my companion get my luggage to the apartment. He so generously volunteered to do this, even though she and I could have handled it ourselves. He and I caught up briefly, and I tried to tell him I was leaving the next day, but he didn't understand me and thought I was joking (this will never be clear to either of us! LOL).

Five days after returning home, I got my first of many emails from Mike. We spent the next year writing off and on. I didn't know Mike wanted to date me when he got home and we never flirted over email. We just got to know each other and I tried to support and encourage the great work he was doing in the best mission in the world. During this time I was dating, I ended the relationship with my high school boyfriend, and had a few other relationships not work out. So I was single when Mikey returned home in February of 2015.

It had been a few months since I had last written him so I was surprised when he sent me a facebook message just a day or two after he got home. We got talking and the conversation quickly turned to flirting. We messaged back and forth for a few days before he FINALLY asked me out, but I was leaving on a family vacation the next day for a few weeks. I spent the next few weeks in Hawaii glued to my phone. We talked the whole time I was gone. We texted all day and when I got home at night we talked on the phone for hours. This was so sweet, because the time difference was so large that he would stay up literally all night just to talk to me on the phone. We talked every night that I was gone, and those conversations were seriously the best.

Two nights before I got home, I was out on the deck talking to Mike it was about 3 am my time so 6 am his time, and he told me he loved me. I thought he was either nuts or deliriously tired and I didn't respond to him. But I won't deny that when he said that it felt right. As soon as I got home, he took me on our first date. In the first five minutes of that date, I knew he was "the one." It was the most fun, easy going date ever. Conversation with him flowed and felt so natural, and he was the perfect gentleman all night (he still is 3 years later). We had an undeinable attraction too that was so great he couldn't help but kiss me on the first date! :0 It was only a few weeks later we were engaged and planning our wedding. I sure love my valentine and I am so grateful we have a day in the year to celebrate our love! I love you Mikey! And I love our story!

Happy Valentines Day!
Brookey

in love with love

dont worry- we didn't touch!

A long valentine's weekend is just what the doctor ordered! Lover boy has finally finished his training at work, which means he will be back to regular working hours (he has been burning the night oil working until 10:30pm everyday for 3 weeks all while keeping up on his schoolwork, it was miserable for all parties)! With training over, we celebrated! Saturday was our love day.  We decided to celebrate Vday early with a fancy four course dinner, a dance concert (HE IS TOO GOOD TO ME!), dessert run #2 #sorrynotsorry and a late night movie snuggle sesh. It was a wonderful Valentines Day!

Sunday was full of more loving. Mike got me beautiful flowers and my favorite treat, and I got him a new "cape" aka a northface jacket that he practically lives in. We took it easy.. really easy because there was a three hour nap involved (obviously we work too hard) haha! After we wasted most of our day snoozing, we went up to Mike's family's house and spent Valentine's evening with them. We came home to have some mint hot cocoa and watch a chick flick.

On Monday Mikey woke up and hit the kitchen to make me a YUMMY breakfast.  Gluten free pancakes and berries. (Do you see how much he spoils me!?) And we hit the mountain for a lovely (icy) hike.  Monday night reality struck as we slaved away over our homework that we put off all weekend.

Story time- During our hike on Monday there was ice everywhere!  We were sliding all over the place. The hike was pretty steep so as we came down the mountain we mostly had to slide our way down.  At one point we got going pretty fast and I took a big fall, and I mean BIG.  Mike did not even utter a tiny laugh.  He was at my side checking on everything (while I laughed hysterically) he offered to carry me down the rest of the way- which would have been a sure recipe for disaster! Point is- I have a good one and my tailbone may never be the same ;).

Here is a view of Utah Valley. although the air has been pretty gross, I love the monochromatic moody grey we have been experiencing! 

I just loved every moment of being with my Mike.  I love the little moments when we are snuggling and I can just feel him breathing.  Or when we lock eyes and he whispers to me. Or when he is exhausted and gives me a massage.  He has a heart of gold. I am so grateful for him!  He fills my heart with love and gratitude each and every passing day.

**Over the weekend we got to babysit my little niece for just a little while- she is yummy!  We had too much fun playing with her!  We sure love this girl!

lots and loads of love,
Brookeydee

6 months towards our eternity

We hit our 6 month anniversary yesterday!  When people used to say "marriage is hard" I didn't really understand what they meant.  These past few months have begun to teach me exactly what that means.  Finding compromise and putting together two families and backgrounds is HARD.  There have been some really hard and dark moments.  I know there will be more in the future as well, but the last six months have also been magic.

There are few things more comforting than knowing that I get to go home to my best friend every single night.  That I get to share with him my everything.  That he honestly cares about my well being before his own.  That he will hold me, support me, make me laugh, and listen.  I love that I get to reciprocate those things right back to him, it is so rewarding.  He reminds me everyday that he was the right choice.  He reminds me everyday that my love for him continues to grow.  He reminds me everyday of our Heavenly Father's plan for us and that we get to be together forever.

Six months isn't that long, and I am grateful for that, cause I get forever!  But these first six months are something to celebrate.  How grateful I am for a wonderful husband.

Here are some of my favorite memories of our first 6 months:
-The wedding, duh
-the honeymoon.. also duh
-moving into our first apartment
-a trip to Disneyland
-getting accepted into UVU's elementary program
-buying a car together
-taking a few classes together last semester
-our first Christmas

I love these photos by the amazing Mikki Platt from our engagement session.  These are just so real and so us.

Lots of love,
Brookeydee

Mikey's Birthday!

I sure do love this man!  And I am so glad we have spent the last week celebrating him and his life!!

The partying began last Monday.  My parents threw a family BBQ for him with his favorite foods.  We finished the night with a delicious white chocolate raspberry cake, a fire, and some s'mores!  My parents got mike new swimming shorts and a really good looking shirt (picked out by yours truly;) ).

My cute mom is amazing.  She found this yummy recipe for white chocolate raspberry cake (which we have learned is Mike's favorite flavor through wedding cake appointments- haha!)  It was a hit!
Everyone loved it!

On Wednesday, Mike's true birthday I got really sick.  Unfortunately our plans had to get moved around.  I gave him his presents.  We did a quick run up to H&M so he could pick up some shorts he has been eyeing, and we went out to dinner.  We then went back to my house and snuggled for a while.  I felt so bad I was sick, and tried my very best to suck it up so he could have a special day.

I made Mike a photo album with all of our pictures from our relationship, and got him his favorite cologne- Acqua di Gio from Giorgio Armani. Oh my land, it is yummy!

On Saturday when I was healthy again I took him on a real birthday date.  I took him on a hike up to battle creek falls, we put out a blanket at the top of the waterfall and scarfed down some yummy costa vida.  (my version of a picnic lol!)  After our hike we went to The Chocolate to grab some dessert and ended with a drive through Provo Canyon at sunset!  It was a super fun date with my lover boy!  I love celebrating him! 

Finally, last night we got to end the birthday festivities with his parents!  They took Mike and I to Goodwood BBQ (one of Mike's favorites! The man likes himself some BBQ if you didn't notice)  It was so fun to get intimate time with Chris and Camille.  It doesn't happen a lot when there are 8 kids running around, so it was pretty special!  I am so grateful for them and the people that they are.  They have raised a stalwart, respectful son and for that I am oh so grateful.  I very much look forward to becoming their daughter soon! They opened their home and hearts to me on day one and our relationships have progressed with each passing day.  Seriously, I just love them!  I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life.  And I am overwhelmed with gratitude that they are mine forever.

I am pretty sure Mike had a great birthday- I mean, it lasted a whole week!! I sure do love him.  I am so glad we get to spend all of our birthdays together for the rest of eternity!  Happy Birthday Michael! 21 honestly NEVER looked so good... ;) XOXO

lots of love,
brookeydee

Happiest Birthday to my lover boy!

Its Michael's Birthday!!  Gosh, I sure do love this man.  He has completely changed my life for the better and I am grateful for that every single day.  I am so excited to marry him and celebrate every birthday that our lives give us!

Here is my #typical list of 21 things I adore about this handsome man:
he has the purest heart, he has a great sense of humor, he is a gentleman, he loves to serve, he loves to love, he is loyal, he is an honest man, he values family, his ability to live in the moment, his patience with me, his desires to do good, his work ethic, his love for God, his desires to be obedient, holy smokes his body, his kisses and snuggles, his goals, his sensitivity to the Spirit, the way he smells, his courage, and his smile and laugh.

I could go on all day, but those are a few of my favorite things. I am so lucky to soon call him my husband!

Also, I am so glad I can start telling people that he is 21 and I am 22.. totally selfish, but seriously, I have received some weird looks with the age difference.

lots of love,
brookeydee

our first date

March 6, 2015

I had returned home from Hawaii the day before. He wouldn't tell me what we would be doing on our date.  All I knew is he would be there to pick me up at 5.  I was so nervous, because our relationship had progressed so much over the past 2 weeks and we hadn't even seen each other in person!

As soon as I opened the door and saw him, my nerves immediately calmed down.  He came into my apartment and we talked for a while before leaving.  We drove up to draper where he took me to a bowling alley- which was closed for some tournament. {He really wanted to take me bowling because I have yet to get 100 points while bowling.. and its on my bucket list. haha!  He is so thoughtful!} So we did his back up plan.  We went to Scheels and rode the ferris wheel- this was a dream for me!  I am a sucker for romance and I thought this was oh so romantic! He put his arm around me while on the ferris wheel and it felt like home being snuggled up close to him! While he was all romantic I was a tease (as per the usual with us!) He told me he had a fear of heights: so naturally I had to rock our cart when we were at the top- don't tell!  Its against the rules.

We spent hours at scheels playing games, and taking our first pictures together and looking around at their cool gear. When we left we went to eat at Wild Zucchini- one of my favorites! There we ran into his aunt and cousin who had snapped a few stalker pictures of us on our first date- haha!

After dinner we went up to the draper temple and walked around the grounds.  I reached for his hand and have been holding it ever since!

Here is the craziest part- after leaving the temple we went to meet one another's families! Yeah, yeah.  We were on the super fast track from day one. He only got to meet some of my family and it went well.  He definitely set a great first impression. We ended the night in the family room of his house.  I met 9 of the 10 in his family.  It was immediate love for those delahuntys!  The first thing his dad asked me was "what are your intentions with my son?"  I knew at that moment we were going to get along just fine!

When he took me home that night, he went in for a kiss on my doorstep and I totally chickened out! I Hurried and opened my door and invited him to come in and meet my roommates. He stayed there for about 30 minutes talking to them before leaving. I offered to walk him out and as soon as that door shut behind me his lips were on mine! That first kiss was unreal! He gives the best kisses.

It was our perfect first date.

lots of love,
Brookeydee