Keep Your Eyes Open, He is out there

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.

Enlightenment :)

Have you ever met someone before that you just clicked with? The vibe between you was on from the very first moment you met...well...I have. And let me tell you, it was wonderful. It brings me hope when someone especially a boy smiles at you and you feel like he just gets you. He understands without even trying. His laugh is just as loud and rambunctious as yours. You happen to just break out dancing out of pure love of enjoying life! Sitting next to him is natural and extremely soothing. He lights up the room and for some reason his focus is on you. Sitting across from him at the restaurant full of friends and he gives you a look that you immediately know what he is thinking. Flirting can be more clearly seen as admiration of the other person. Now for that one day everything is perfect. He hugs you goodbye never to really know if what just happened was real. Was it meant to be? Can this really be happening to me? Yes, because he gave me a perfect beginning. A a rare moment in life when two people who are so compatible can met and know without a doubt they have something great is wonderful. It is something warm. A glimmer of hope that in this crazy world you can find love. A love that will consume you and make you immensely happy for the rest of your life. For one day you have been enlightened to the possibilities that each and every day hold.

A Best Friend

For all of you that have a best friend you know what they mean to you. Mine is Kaylie Cazeau. Kaylie is musically talented, loves purple, and is the most unorganized, thoughtful person I know. Kaylie is my best friend in trials, heartache, and the happy days! Kaylie has always had my back and stood up for me. Trust me, I am one that needs someone like that in my life. Kaylie is my favorite spaz and is soon to be married. I know we will stick together through all the exciting change and come out even stronger in our friendship. I love Kaylie Cazeau for her imperfections, her messy room that I clean for her, and for her loving, sarcastic spirit! Thank you for everything that you are and the person that I am today. I would never have made it this far without you! LOVE YOUR GUTS!

Just to prove to you how amazing my bestie is, read this:

Dear Facebook peeps: to all the lovers and haters alike whose comments are posted above... I would like to tell you all a little bit about Taylor Altom. She is my wonderful bestest friend. Probably in the whole world. She's the toughest girl i know. And also one of the most opinionaited. I admire her for so many things, but the trait i envy most is her ability to stay true to herself in ANY situation. She isn't fake. She doesn't pretend. She knows EXACTLY who she is and is not afraid to say exactly what she thinks about something that she knows isn't right. And being told that you're wrong, especially from someone with a strong opinion like Taylor, sucks. Hardcore. I know. But you know what? I would never ever change that about her. This chick? She's the real deal. And i love and support her all the way!! :) :)

This is exactly why I love her! Kaylie wrote this words to stand up for me on a facebook post where others where attacking my personal views. Kaylie, like always, swooped in with her fiery passion and shut everybody up. No one had the nerve to go against her and make more hateful comments. I owe Kaylie the world for sticking up for me again and for always having my back.

A best friend is someone that allows you to be the best possible version of yourself.
Kaylie you are my someone <3>

From us to you

Dear Universe,

If you are still alive and survived the alien invasion...well CONGRATULATIONS! Oh my friend, Kaylie, is on this here site and is in love with Justin Bieber...don't judge! Yes, actually do. Hello my name is Shanikua and I will be your flight attendant this evening. Just kidding! I had you there for a second...my name is really Taylor. Some call me black lady licous, others Psych Queen, but to you I'm just Taylor, deal with it. For the first time in recorded history...my friend got a blog, The Happy Princess :), is officially documenting its existence! Yea that's right! Be jealous! We are cool. Best Friends. The Works. Now get back to your dreadfully normal lives. Goodnight!

You Only Meet A Stranger Once...

Today I met a stranger. Her name is Melody. Its interesting to me how one person can change your life for good. We will most likely never cross paths again, but for one moment we did. Two strangers trading life stories and just having a conversation. Times like these make me believe that each day we have the ability to make the world seem simple.

I still surprise myself by how DUMB I am...

Okay funny, FUNNY story. I was getting ready to go to a par-tay and my lil' brother Ryan decided to take a bath in MY jet tub; locking my make-up, hair product, and toothbrush. My relentless yelling at him through my bathroom door was silenced by his piercing loud hard-core music. So having now wasted a good 20 minutes I decided to use all my mother's stuff to get ready. Hair done. Make-up done. Now all that was left to do was to brush my teeth. I proceed to go to my parents bathroom and pick out my mom's toothbrush. I looked in my dad's door for toothpaste I saw an attractive looking green tube that said mint freshness. I gobbed some on my mom's toothbrush and noticed how easily it came out so I put more on. With my mouth wide open I started brushing my teeth. Literally two seconds later my mouth was filled with foam and stared choking me. I looked at the green tube to discover it was SHAVING CREAM!!! I started screaming, spitting, and running around like an idiot because I couldn't breathe and my tongue was completely NUMB! I washed my mouth out as soon as I could then ran to the kitchen eating everything I could find and the HORRID taste of SHAVING CREAM was still there! By now my make-up was ruined, my hair was drenched, and my tongue, mouth, and teeth would NEVER be the same. Seriously this was the DUMBEST thing I have EVER done in my whole entire LIFE! But go on laugh your heads off because yes it tis funny and I bet you have already come up with comebacks like other idiots I know: "I never knew your teeth were so hairy before," followed by laughter then"Now your teeth are gonna grow hair!" more laughter and my personal favorite,"Did you put aftershave on that!?" hahahaha! Needless to say I will be teased for the rest of my long idiot dumb doing life. THE END.

My tell-tale heart...

In every story whether fantasy, make-believe, or fairytale there is always a beginning, middle, and end. My tale to tell is one that is a little bit of fantasy and make-believe that I wish to someday be remembered as a fairytale. Once upon a time there was a girl named Taylor and she loved giving people hugs. Anyone she met she'd run up and give them a great big bear hug. She put her heart and soul into each hug hoping it would make that person's day a little bit better. Well this girl had to survive the torment of her three brothers and through it all she remained as sweet as ever. Through her dancing and singing she expressed herself in a way that she never had before. She loved her friends and one summer seven years ago she said goodbye. She found herself in Kimberly, Idaho. A place where she had to re-invent herself. She discovered music, debate, and a new desire for getting hugs instead of giving them. Little did she now that her heart wasn't as strong as she hoped. Heartache inspired her to branch out into the world and she discovered a land that made her feel safe. People there liked her ever since they got to know her. What they didn't expect was for her to leave as soon as she came. She was one that didn't like to be left behind, but was constantly leaving. A new fear of change came upon her as she got a moment in time to decide. To decide what's next and who to let back in. To try to meet new people or allow old ones back in. A time to discover how much her heart can hold. She thought to herself, "In with the new and out with the old." A decision it was. To move on to greater pasters, to widening her horizon, and to the future of hope she would go. Someday she would change the world with her words. Someday she would meet a man who'd make her laugh just to see her smile. Someday she would look into the eyes of a new-born stranger and love them unconditionally. Someday she would be remembered as the one who decided to live for the unexpected, the unknown, and the surprise life brings. Someday she would be the character in her own fairytale.