I have a few spare moments to share the amazing story of how Tiggitytay and I met. One night in September we carpooled as strangers coerced into instant friends up to a nook in the mountains just south of here. I was impressed with his fire-making skills so I sat by him around the glowing blaze that swathed our cold little bodies. We caught eyes a few times before I drifted off to sleep. The next morning I quietly rolled up my belongings and attempted to escape without waking the others. I sleepily rode the trails home only accompanied by the sounds of unwelcome rain drops, Lori McKenna, and an arching formation of colored prisms nestled comfortably between the stretch of land that separated two worlds that were soon to become as one, realizing I missed him already.
Back on dry land, we contacted each other simultaneously until we decided we both liked shrimp enough to enjoy eating it together. And it was successful. And delicious. A happy stomach equals a happy Vanessa and he continued to keep me that way, via food, among other things. I must have been starving when we met. Food, laughter, one more thing.....Love? Yes.
He moved to Utah to work full-time for the longest six months of my life. I remember counting down the days until I'd see him next; just knowing he'd be home in a month gave me great excitement and I think that's when I knew what I had and I decided to try not to kiss him until he proposed to me. That didn't work. With other forms of gentl persuasion, when he eventually came home in October, we cemented our plans to marry. I requested that he not propose, not publicly at least. He took me to Bartz Field on a Friday night so the dog could get her 30 mins of aerobics in for the day. I spent a huge chunk of my summer at Bartz field, alone, but I never would have imagined it would impact me beyond its original utilization involving dogs, not proposals. I should have known what was coming, since he combed his hair and wore cologne. He was nearly racing me to the top of the field and when I finally caught up, I turned away so that he didn't see my heavy breathing. Once I turned back around, there he was on one knee with a half smile, half serious look on his face. I think he said something ".....make me the happiest man alive.." or something. I'm pretty emotional, and broke down in tears. I said YES since he smelled so good. Little did I know that I would be marrying a man who makes awesome tacos and loves candy as much as I do.
