My day was like any other. First week of college with hundreds of unfamiliar faces swishing past me as I tired to keep my grip on the world I found to be my reality. Then I saw him. I was mesmerized. In a fog of denial as I locked in my gaze at the man of my dreams. Tall, dark, and handsome he walked as though he loved life. His smile would make his eyes squint in the heat of the day. He cut across the crowd taking his stance on the diving board. Flinging himself into the air, he flips giving himself over to gravity and landing gracefully in the cool water. I couldn't believe how easily I was attracted to him. My eyes were locked in and he had drawn me in completely. My attention from that moment was always in hopes of seeing him again. Little did I know he was good at everything. Member of the marching band, overly active member of the institute, and a dedicated yet passionate singer. In that moment I knew that he would have a huge impact on my life.
Little did I know how much at that time. Days passed and I decided that he was too good for me. Why would he notice me? Then came the day we met. Me and my roomie Kaitlyn went and sat in the front for devotional. And guess who decided to sit behind us...him! He was with his friend and may I just say he looked so cute! Not the friend, but him. He introduced himself to me and as he looked in my eyes I literally felt my heart skip a beat. His intense gaze gave me this lingering feeling that he felt the same way. Two days later was Seminar and we somehow got to be in his group. Of course he volunteered to be the group leader. We were playing name games and he remembered mine without any doubt in his voice. To playing hankie pankie to celebrating with a group hug he was always kind, considerate, and enthusiastic! His attitude towards life is contagious and I can't help but to feel like I was meant to come to this college to meet my roommates yes, but more so for the opportunity to get to know him.
Then comes Sunday the day I get called to be Relief Society first counselor. I know I was inspired to be given this church responsibility to fulfill to the best of my ability. The projected growing of this learning experience is too much to fathom. I feel like I am changing. Changing into the person I never could be with people back home reminding me of a girl that doesn't exist anymore. Here I am free. Going to church I was sustained by my fellow church goers. And he was there answering all the bishops questions and being happy to help. He is always the first to volunteer. He has all the good qualities that make him more appealing to me than ever before. Next, came the setting apart for my calling and he asks to sit next to me...uhh yes! We just talked and I felt like for the first time I made an impression on him. My hopes and dreams were short-lived as the bishop splits up the girls from the boys. I say goodbye and he just laughs. That night was a wonderful devotional and I had a row of new friends to keep me entertained. I was distracted when he came and sat in front of us. My roommates hadn't overlooked this activity and fought for my attention to alert me of the current situation. What goofs, but I love them. My first Sunday was amazing.
Don't you just love family home evening? Well, I do especially since the man of my dreams sat next to me when you could of sat anywhere. This is the first night we started to talk and get to know each other. He loved being an EFY counselor and he has this great take on the gospel as a whole. My wonderful roommates ditched us and we decided to walk to go get some ice cream. This walk very quickly turned into Taylor having to hurdle the fence is flippy floppys. His jump over was effortless while my many attempts was pathetic. Luckily I'm stubborn and somehow I managed to get over that fence. I love how I never felt uncomfortable with him. Walking alone at night with him was the safest I've felt on campus the entire time I had been there. He talked of his major and wanting to become a seminary teacher someday. And someday I knew he would. I believed in him and caught myself wanting him to succeed. I am directionally challenged and he would always point me in the right direction. Running across the road and being silly came naturally with him. I lost my earring and he went back and found it. Meeting up with the ladies at Hawanian Snow was a blast. I looked at the guys waiting for them to order and they weren't moving. I totally got what they were doing...letting me go first! And I just say out in the open, "It's because I'm the woman, isn't it." This caused everyone to bust a new one. I ordered my ice cream and then proceeded to get theirs because I was apparently funny to watch. We got to walk back to my apartment while the rest drove over. He was fun yet protective laughing at everything wrong I did. Coming back to my apartment was fun and we played the story game. When he had a story that could be taken the wrong way he would laugh and make it even funnier. Not only did he look at me like I was the only girl in the world, but he made me feel special, wanted. Like all nights this perfect Monday came to its close leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Tuesday we sat by each other in Devotional and the speaker was extremely powerful. He had to get to class and as he said goodbye attempting to hug me, but for some weird ununderstood reason I backed away from it. Awkward. It was a sign I needed a little more time to know for a surety that this was happening. I waited the rest of the day and finally I got the text. He invited me on a date to learn racquetball and I was thrilled. My entire being was excited to spend time with him. He arrived at my apartment and boy did he look good. I still have to remind myself how immensely cute he is. Walking side by side to the court we talked about favorite books always smiling at each others' responses. He took no time getting to the game and he was a great teacher. He didn't talk down to me, he was very patient, and did a wonderful job of explaining the ins and outs of the game. I'm not a sporty type of girl and yet I had fun! I wasn't absolutely terrible and that made me feel good. We were just getting good then he got the rubber ball stuck in the ceiling. An adventure it was to find a rock to throw and get the ball back. I mentioned how we were supposed to be able to see Mars that night and he came up with a brilliant idea. He took me to his secret place. Now this secret place wasn't just any ordinary place of venue. This was a direct look into his heart. He had opened his heart and let me in. However, this fun change of events involved climbing, hand contact, and a team effort. With his help I made it to the top of this sketchy canopy and there he was. Just relaxed as ever and looking up at the stars. I got in the one next to him to alter our weight and simply let myself go. I eased up and soon I wasn't scared anymore. Honestly, I have never met anyone that was so easy to talk to. We talked about everything. We talked about our decision to choose to come to this particular college and we both ended up saying that it was magical. That we were drawn to come here and that it was where we were meant to be at this time in our lives. Discussing music was fun, spontaneous, and quite often involved breaking out in song. His voice was soft and understanding as I explained my thoughts about the potential every person has to be Every single person has the potential to be seen as important, loved, and someday the character in their own happily ever after. He told me that the greatest lesson he ever learned was that there is no such thing as perfect. He is a combination of everything wonderful in this world and he is the most sincere person I have ever met. When he mentioned that I was probably one of the most positive people he has met, it gave me a confirmation that I really am an optimistic person. The stars were glistening in the night sky putting me in awe at this nearly perfect moment that we shared together. We must of talked for hours and proceeded to be goofs as we got down from that magical place. He held my hands and helped me jump down onto the ground, bringing me back to reality. We acted like people were following us and would run and hid under the bushes yelling out funny things like, "Hey, baby!" I had the time of my life just being silly and childish. We found a frog and tried to catch it. We walked and as we walked he showed me more and more of his world. His music life. His love for people. And most of all he let me see the type of person he really and truly is. Coming back to the apartment we planked in the middle of the intersection like a bunch of two-year-olds. He told me some of his favorite chick flicks, that just happened to be some that I loved. Arriving home we hugged goodnight and there was that lingering of not wanting to leave each other. I love that feeling. It's a feeling of wanting to know someone completely and fully while they get to know you in return. I had an amazing night just talking and learning how to play racquetball with him. My dreams were sweet that night and my subconscious was full of new memories to play around with while I slept.
The week went on and we would run into each other walking to class and just be happy to see each other. At Seminar he texted asking me to save him a spot. I did just that. The lesson was on goals and how to achieve them. Also, that it's okay to say, "I can't right now." He had his input at times and others I had mine. I shared my thoughts on CTR and how we need to 'Taylor' it to our modern world, making it stand for Current Temple Recommend. He totally got my pun! I was so happy that he got it and that he also liked what I had to say. We said another awkward goodbye and caught up with each other in the music room. I remember when I told him I joined Women's Choral he was so excited especially since I had to switch it a different institute class that he happened to be in. Class ended and I started walking to the institute. I was completely clueless of the very thoughtful man who was running to try to catch up to me when I knew he had a ride. He had made the effort to be around me and it made me feel special. Eternal Relationship class was fun and upbeat. I liked how he taught me about the celestial kingdom and how if we are not married there is a vertical line separating male and females. I love to learn new things and was pleased he could be the one to teach me. He followed me how and I invited him to listen to some of my favorite music as we ate otter-pops. However, my internet sucked it up and he took my to his place. Still I was completely and totally comfortable with him. I'd never be this at ease with a guy before. We listened to more songs and he introduced me to spotify, my new obsession. And I noticed he had a Belle princess cup and I have a Cinderella princess cup! It was meant to be. He had to run off to class, but he walked me home in the rain. We would slide on the wet sidewalk and dance in the rain. He looked at me and told me that the little sprinkles of rain on my face was very pretty. My first compliment from him. We joked around a little more and hugged goodbye. He watched me go which is honestly just the cutest thing ever.
Today he purposely walked slower, pretending to juggle pine cones and talk to people just so that we could say hi. We hugged and just walked to class talking about each other. We then had to say goodbye again for the long three day weekend ahead of us. We had seen each other everyday and it would be weird not to. What makes this guy so special? He makes the effort, a continued and persistent effort to make me feel special, funny, and pretty. I've realized that you can set your eyes on something you like, lock in, and commit for whatever journey it may bring. This wonderful man had caught my eye and I planning on catching his for many times to come. I'm making the decision to try to make my dreams turn into a more beautiful reality. Can I pick them or what? I liked this guy since the first moment I saw him, we talk about everything, and we are in the same institute class. There is no explanation that can make since of how much my life has changed in only six days. I found a man who is kind, wonderful, and honest. He is love. He is a source of happiness in my life and although I'm just getting to know him I can't help but be excited. He is all I need. I just want to know him -- the good and the bad. I want to give my heart and soul to him only asking in return if he can do the same. It's funny how one's world can be turned upside down, but it our decisions that shape this new life we have ahead of ourselves. I'm in college. I am changing every day. I am happy. I love that I love the gospel. I am grateful for my roommates and how close we are. I am just a girl that has met a boy for the first time in a long time that has caught my complete and utter attention.
