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

Dear baby girl,

Hi sweet pea. I just wanna sing- "Ohhhhh, we're half way there! Ohh! Living on a prayer!!" Its pretty exciting to be at the halfway point, now that I am feeling better, time is flying right by and I know it'll be no time before you're here! I cannot wait to snuggle you! Being a wife and a mommy are the only things I have ever really wanted in my life and I am so excited to have you here with us!

We are at the halfway point of 20 weeks! You are the size of a banana this week and you weigh just over 10.5 ounces and are 10 inches from your head to your toes.
My cravings and aversions have stayed the same for quite a few weeks now. I am beginning to wonder if they will change, or if I'll just have them for the rest of this pregnancy. I hope you like cafe rio and costa vida when you get bigger, because daddy and I really like going there, and I miss it!
We didn't buy any baby products this week. We are waiting until after we move on the 25th to buy anything else! I am getting so excited to start on your nursery!

We had an exciting night on Monday, I had been feeling you all day long, more than I usually do. It was like you got in a good nap and then you needed to stretch for a while. I started to feel some very strong movements so I had daddy put his hand on my belly. You kicked him so hard you moved his hand up a little bit! That is crazy for how tiny you are!! He kept his hand there for a while to feel you moving and then we moved it and watched my belly moving every time you kicked. We didn't expect to see movement like that for at least a few more weeks! You crazy girl! Daddy was so proud haha! You have repeated your nightly exercise every night this week and it just doesn't get old. We already love and adore you so so much!
Daddy pulls up my shirt and talks to you every night he always says silly things and tells you he loves you. He really likes feeling you move, I always try to let him feel you when he is home. It's so fun for me to watch him love you so much! My heart may just explode when I get to see him holding you and cuddling you this summer. You got the best of the best you lucky girl. Your daddy truly is top notch. I don't need to tell you that though, you'll already know that when you read this one day.
Also, I am convinced you are going to be a sassy girl, like me. Every time I lean forward while at school or work, you kick-kick-kick until I sit back and give you more space. And right now, you still have quite a bit of space! I am worried about the damage you're going to cause to my insides in a few months when you're stronger and squished.

With Valentines Day being this week, I have spent lots of time thinking about your sweet dad and our love story. Our love story includes New York, a few emails, many middle of the night phone calls from Maui, a Ferris Wheel, a night hike, and the Draper Temple. That list has grown and grown and it keeps growing everyday. I can't wait for the part where you join us. I sure love your dad. Our forever family is the greatest blessing!

Lots of love,
Mommy